September 1, 2023 Friends, U.S. News and World Report published its yearly report, shedding light on the current state of education in the U.S., which includes rankings of high schools nationwide and within each state. The rankings were determined through an evaluation of key factors such as college preparedness, proficiency in state assessments, performance in state assessments, accomplishments among underserved students, depth of college curriculum, and graduation rates. In Louisiana, Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy, located in Avondale, earned the top spot in the state and the 44th position nationwide. It was the only Louisiana school to secure a place in the coveted top 50 schools of the U.S. News and World Report survey. Acadiana's top-ranking institution was the Magnet Academy for Cultural Arts, located in Opelousas. This school achieved an impressive #9 rank within the state and secured a position at #1,075 on the national scale. In Lafayette Parish, Lafayette High emerged as the leading school. Its performance earned it the 14th position within the state and the 1,643rd position in the national rankings. While these statistics are encouraging, there is always more work to be done. The best way to improve education in any state is to expand educational choices. When parents have more freedom to send their children to a school that best suits their needs, then students thrive. Additionally, the Daily Signal reports that school choice benefits the economy. The introduction of school choice increases competition as families seek to relocate in order to make the most of the extended educational opportunities provided by school choice. | 
