On Dec. 9, 2009, US News & World Report magazine released its yearly list of America's Best High Schools. This is for the 2007-2008 school year. Their methodology is detailed here: http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/high-schools/2009/12/09/methodology-americas-best-high-schools.html
Here are the local schools that made the list:
Gold Winners (top 100 schools nation wide - this area had 3 schools in the top 100)
#5 Talented and Gifted Magnet School - Dallas ISD
#8 Science and Engineering Magnet School - Dallas ISD
#71 Highland Park High School - Highland Park ISD
Silver Winners (not ranked - this area had 8 schools in this group)
Coppell High School - Coppell ISD
The Academy - Irving ISD
JJ Pearce High - Richardson ISD
Richardson High - Richardson ISD
Business & Management Magnet School - Dallas ISD
Education & Social Services Magnet School - Dallas ISD
Law Magnet School - Dallas ISD
Health Professions Magnet - Dallas ISD
Bronze Winners (not ranked - this area had 3 schools in this group)
Gunter High - Gunter ISD
Middle College - Dallas ISD
Pegasus Charter School - downtown Dallas
Honorable Mention (not ranked - this area had 1 school in this group)
North Hills Prep Charter School - Irving