Updated: 10:51 AM EDT April 28, 2021 HARTFORD, Conn. — U.S. News has released its list of the top high schools in the nation and Darien High School - the top-ranked state school - hit the list at number 201. The magazine's data includes nearly 24,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. They ranked 18,000 schools on six factors based on their performance on state assessments and how well they prepare students for college. According to U.S.News, they weighted the factors as follows: College Readiness 30% The proportions of 12th graders who took and earned a qualifying score on at least one AP or IB exam. Earning a qualifying score is worth three times more than just taking.