BOSTON – In its annual ranking of the 100 Best High Schools in America, U.S. News & World Report magazine has recognized Boston Latin School (BLS) as one of the best in the country. The study released today – which examines a variety of factors about a school’s performance and ability to prepare students for college – ranks BLS number 27 out of more than 21,000 high schools nationwide.

“Boston Latin School will always be the nation’s first, and we are delighted to see that it remains one of the nation’s best,” said Superintendent Carol R. Johnson. “This honor is a tribute to the students, parents, teachers and administrators who work so hard every day to ensure excellence across the board.”

In addition to the 100 high schools awarded gold medals by U.S. News & World Report, the magazine’s December issue (www.usnews.com/highschools) commends an additional 504 schools around the country with silver medals, including Boston Latin Academy and the John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science. Five other Boston Public Schools were among the 1,321 schools awarded bronze medals: Another Course to College, Boston Community Leadership Academy, Charlestown High School, Excel High School and Health Careers Academy.

Boston Latin School, founded in 1635, serves nearly 2,400 students in grades 7 – 12. The study compared schools based on student performance in English and Mathematics, as well as participation in Advanced Placement courses and other college readiness factors, during the 2006-2007 school year. Only one other Massachusetts high school earned a spot in the top 100 on U.S. News & World Report’s list: Belmont High School, ranked #100.