CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- U.S. Sen. John Edwards will visit Harding University High School Friday to recognize CMS high schools for their recent listing in Newsweek Magazine.

Last week, Newsweek Magazine released its 100 Best High Schools In America list, with high schools throughout Mecklenburg County faring extremely well. This national ranking (2003 Challenge Index) is averaged every three years by taking public high schools throughout the country and dividing the number of Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) tests taken by the number of graduating seniors.

According to Newsweek Magazine, "the index uses AP and IB as a measure because schools that push these tests are most likely to stretch young minds, which should be the fundamental purpose of education." The following is a summary of the four CMS high schools ranking in the Top 100:

Myers Park High School (IB magnet school) was named seventh in the country, with 511 students in 2001-2002 taking 1,187 AP exams and 59.3 percent of students earning a three or higher on the exams. Eighty-six seniors took IB exams and 75 students earned the IB diploma. (477 total seniors in 2001-2002 class at Myers Park)

Providence High School ranked 48th in the country, with 601 students in 2001-2002 taking 1,391 AP exams and 67.2 percent earning a three or higher on the exams. Since the International Baccalaureate program is a magnet program in CMS, Providence High School does not offer IB courses. (486 total seniors in 2001-2002 class at Providence)

Harding University High School (IB magnet school) was named 65th in the country, with 303 students in 2001-2002 taking 728 AP exams and 37.6 percent earning a three or higher on the exams. Twenty-six seniors took IB exams and 17 students earned the IB diploma. (281 total seniors in 2001-2002 class at Harding)

East Mecklenburg High School (IB magnet school) was named 89th in the country, with 383 students in 2001-2002 taking 915 AP exams and 39.3 percent earning a three or higher on the exams. Nineteen seniors took IB exams and 15 students earned the IB diploma. (378 total seniors in 2001-2002 class at East Mecklenburg)