City Honors is once again ranked among the top high schools in the country, but it’s not the only Western New York school being honored.

The school was listed at number 17 among high schools in New York and ranked 103rd for schools across the country. That’s according to the US News & World Report’s list of best high schools nationally.

"I think it says that the model is working—that students who have the ability to take course work that is beyond what is traditionally offered in New York State, placing them in that setting and placing those challenges in front of them will have some very positive outcomes," said Bill Kresse, City Honors Principal.

The publication looked at more than 20,500 schools across the country and Washington, D.C. for its annual rankings, determined by their performance on state assessment tests and how well their students were prepared for college upon graduation.

City Honors, which received a gold ranking for its 98 percent graduation rate, has students in grades 5 through 12 and is known for its International Baccalaureate program. Last year the school ranked 167 nationally. The school's top rating came in 2012 when it was ranked 23 in the nation. 

Kresse says its a recognition to celebrate, but the district is actively working to have more students from diverse backgrounds benefit from the City Honors experience. More than 40 percent of students at the school are minorities, however leaders would like to see that number be more representative of the entire district's student body, which is heavily minority.

Other local schools on the New York honor roll include East Aurora at number 58, Williamsville South at 65, Williamsville North at 71, Clarence at 72 and Williamsville East at 79.

The full list is available here.