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Admirable Austin high school ranks among top 50 in America, says U.S. News

Austin is home to a few of the highest-ranked high schools in the nation.

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Several Austin high schools are continuing their streak of top appearances on a prestigious annual list of the country's best public high schools.

The 2023 rankings from U.S. News & World Report, released August 29, put Austin ISD’s Liberal Arts and Science Academy at No. 32 nationally (up from No. 34 last year) among the country’s best high schools. The school also ranks No. 34 nationally among the best STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) high schools (up from No. 70 in 2022).

Also in the top 100 nationally is the Richards School for Young Women Leaders, ranking No. 95 after previously ranking No. 128 in 2022.

Topping the national list for 2023 is the Early College at Guilford in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Each year, U.S. News evaluates about 18,000 high schools on six factors: college readiness, reading and proficiency, reading and math performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth, and graduation rates.

"Having access to a strong high school program is paramount for students as they face an ever-changing world," said U.S. News' managing editor of education Liana Loewus in a release. "Making data on our high schools available helps parents ensure their child is in the educational environment that best sets them up to thrive."

Elsewhere in Texas
Around the state, these Texas high schools also made it into the top 100 nationally:

Dallas ISD's The School for the Talented and Gifted, No. 6 (up from No. 8 last year and No. 13 in 2021). No. 8 nationally among the best STEM high schools for the second consecutive year and No. 2 among the best magnet high schools (up from No. 4 last year).
Dallas ISD's Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women's Leadership School, No. 18 (up from No. 20 last year) and No. 8 nationally among the best magnet high schools for the second consecutive year.
Dallas ISD's Science and Engineering Magnet School, No. 23 nationally among the best high schools (down from No. 22 last year), No. 24 nationally among the best STEM high schools (down from No. 7 last year), and No. 2 nationally among the best magnet high schools (up from No. 10 in 2022).
Houston ISD’s Carnegie Vanguard High School, No. 35 (up from No. 40 last year and No. 42 in 2021).
Houston ISD’s DeBakey High School for Health Professions, No. 66 (down from No. 50 last year and No. 46 in 2021). No. 18 nationally among the best magnet high schools.
BASIS San Antonio - Shavano Campus, No. 81 (down from No. 77 last year and No. 102 in 2021). No. 41 nationally among the best STEM high schools (down from No. 25 in 2022) and No. 17 nationally among the best charter high schools.
Dallas ISD's Trinidad Garza Early College at Mt. View, No. 91 (up from No. 118 last year).
Dallas ISD’s Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet, No. 93 (down from No. 48 last year and No. 59 in 2021) . No. 25 nationally among the best magnet high schools (down from No. 17 in 2022).
Houston ISD's Young Women's College Prep Academy, No. 94 (up from No. 148 last year). No. 26 nationally among best magnet high schools.

Among just the Texas schools, Austin's Liberal Arts and Science Academy (No. 4) ranked within the top five best-rated public high schools this year, U.S. News says.

Other Austin-area schools that rank among Texas' top 100 best are:

No. 11 – Richards School for Young Women Leaders, Austin ISD
No. 41 – Westlake High School, Eanes ISD, Austin
No. 49 – IDEA Montopolis College Preparatory, Austin
No. 56 – Meridian School, Round Rock
No. 61 – Chaparral Star Academy, Austin
No. 65 – Westwood High School, Round Rock ISD, Austin
No. 98 – Colorado River Collegiate Academy, Bastrop ISD
No. 99 – Vandegrift High School, Leander ISD, Austin

US News & World Report high schools reports best schools education schools austin

Final Chapter

Bookstore closing final chapter 2 years after move from South Congress

southcongressbooks.com

The store survived the move for a while, but it wasn't sustainable.

While they say all good stories must come to an end, Austinites never want that to be true of independent local businesses—especially this time of year. After relocating to Kerbey Lane in 2022, South Congress Books announced it would be closing its doors for good in the coming weeks.

The store announced the closure in an Instagram post on Friday, December 6:

“On the heels of Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday, we bring you We Surrender December,” the post reads. “After two years of valiantly trying to survive (if not thrive) in our new location, we’ve made the hard decision not to renew our lease.”

The post goes on to thank customers for their business over the years, but shares that keeping the shop open beyond the current year is not “sustainable or prudent.”

The store first opened its doors on South Congress thirteen years ago, back before that particular avenue became home to international brands like Nike and Hermes. Over the years, rising rent on the once-quirky street has squeezed out unique local businesses like Lucy in Disguise in favor of chain stores.

As such, it was no major surprise when, in 2022, the small bookstore announced it was moving north of downtown. Loyal customers hoped that neighbors like the original Kerbey Lane Cafe would bring in a steady stream of foot traffic, but that has apparently not been the case.

Commenters on the farewell post all grieved the news, sharing that the shop would be missed.

In a small bit of silver lining, the shop did announce that it will maintain a presence on Abebooks.com (as Tornbooks) and Ebay (as South Congress Books). Austinites can also browse a special selection of the shop; books at Uncommon Objects (1602 Fortview Road) in South Austin and Antiques of Oakmont (1803-A W. 35th Street), just around the corner from the current location.

In the meantime, the Kerbey Lane store is offering a ten percent discount through December 24 and then 20 percent off between December 26 and January 5, 2025.

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