ORANGE -- Ralph C. Mahar Regional High School has been ranked among 2009's best high schools in America, according to the U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best High Schools" annual rating of more than 21,000 public American high schools.

Mahar was one of 27 high schools in the state to receive the prestigious "Silver Medal" ranking, and the only high school in the Franklin County. Only two Massachusetts high schools received a "Gold Medal" ranking.

"We are very excited about this prestigious recognition," said Superintendent Dr. Reza Namin. "It reflects the hard work and the strategic vision of the school committee, faculty and staff, parents and students, and the community-at-large, in partnership with the community, offering a nurturing atmosphere in a modern facility.

"This environment fosters creativity and critical thinking in its students, staff, administration, and the Mahar community. All members of the Mahar community are continually encouraged to reach their optimal development and to be committed to social good. Our success is demonstrated by the achievement of our students and their ability to face the challenges of the future."

In its second year, America's Best High Schools has again identified the country's top-performing high schools. The goal of the project is to provide a clear, unbiased picture of how well public high schools serve all of their students -- from the highest achieving to the lowest achieving -- in preparing them to demonstrate proficiency in basic skills as well as readiness for college-level work.

Analysts at SchoolMatters developed the America's Best High School project for special publication in U.S. News & World Report. This year's list recognizes more than 1,900 of the best high schools nationwide using three categories of distinction: gold, silver and bronze. New this year, the list also recognizes 17 schools as "Honorable Mention" schools. These are schools that achieved high levels of college readiness, but only partially met the rest of the criteria for inclusion.

This award is based on careful analysis of academic and enrollment data such as student performances on MCAS and Advanced Placement examinations, and the percentage of students who are classified as low-income. The full story from U.S. News & World Report can be viewed on line at http://www.usnews.com/sections/education/high-schools or by visiting the Mahar Regional School Web site at http://www.rcmahar.mec.edu.