POMONA – Three Pomona Unified School District high schools have been placed among the top-performing public schools at the state and national level, according to the latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report.

The publication – which surveyed nearly 20,000 public high schools nationwide for its 2015 Best High Schools list – released its findings this week. It placed Village Academy High School at Indian Hill at 157 in the state (829 nationally), Diamond Ranch High School at 276 in the state (1,348 nationally) and Pomona High School at 407 (1,853 nationally).

“The designation our schools received from such a highly respected news source is well deserved and clearly demonstrates that Pomona Unified schools are serving our students well and preparing them for college and careers,” said Board of Education President Andrew Wong. “I want to congratulate each of the teams for their hard work in ensuring academic excellence for all students.”

To create the ranking, U.S. News looked at overall student performance on state-required tests; factored how effectively schools educate their least-advantaged students, including those of African American, Latino and low-income backgrounds; and assessed participation in and performance on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams.

In the national rankings, 500 high schools received gold medals, 2,027 schools earned silver and 3,990 took home bronze. All three Pomona Unified schools were awarded silver medals.

This is the first time Pomona High School made the list.

“This is an incredible feat for Pomona High School,” Principal Roger Fasting said. “This team has worked incredibly hard to foster an environment that supports students academically and socially, is conducive to learning and provides a pathway to college success. We’re glad that we are being recognized for it.”

Pomona Unified Superintendent Richard Martinez said the recognition by U.S. News & World Report tops off a year of innumerable accomplishments in academics at each District school.

“There are so many things to be proud of at PUSD, where each standout school offers our students key opportunities and powerful programs that will help them reach their post-high school goals,” said PUSD Superintendent Richard Martinez. “This has been an incredible year for Pomona Unified and I couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve accomplished already and what more we’re going to accomplish in the future.”