Newsweek Magazine ranked local La Serna High School at 1,217 in its 2007 annual list of the top five percent of public schools in the nation.  Jay Mathews of Newsweek developed a unique rating system he calls the "Challenge Index" that uses a combination of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Cambridge tests to rank the schools.  You can read his complete article at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18754326/site/newsweek/page/0/.  The rankings can be seen on Newsweek's web site at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18757087/site/newsweek/.

The Whittier Daily News also featured an article about these rankings, which shows that other local schools, such as Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe Springs also ranked high in the annual report.  More detailed information can be found in the Whittier Daily News article at http://www.whittierdailynews.com/search/ci_6054502.

I was talking to a colleague of mine a few days ago about what a hidden jewel the Whittier area is, from its vibrant Uptown shops to its many hiking, running and biking trails to its new Whittwood development, to its wonderful wine tasting at the local wine shop, Vinatero Wine Shop.  Boasting one of the more affordable areas in the Southland for housing also adds to the value of living in Whittier.  The quality of the schools is just one more reason to move to and live in the City of Whittier.

La Serna High School is located in an upscale area of Whittier known as Friendly Hills.