It’s that time of year again when the “Washington Post” publishes its annual rankings of the nation’s most challenging schools.  Out of 1,925 public schools nationwide, West Shore placed No. 58.

“I’m very proud of how we ranked,” Assistant Principal Jim Melia said. “Our ranking is a great measure that shows how hard our students and faculty have worked.”

West Shore’s ranking this year was a huge improvement and jump from last year’s No. 157, along with it being higher than all other schools in Brevard County.

“Other schools have been working hard, and they are very good schools, yet there is something that we are doing right that helps us to attain a rank so high,” Melia said.

In order to rank the 1,900 public schools, the Post takes the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Advanced International Certificate of Education tests taken and divides it by the number of seniors who graduate in May or June. The various schools that attained a 1.000 ratio, meaning they had as many tests in 2012 as they had graduates, earned a place on the list.

“Our students and teachers buy into everything that we do here, and that’s what has helped us achieve so much,” Melia said.  “Everybody’s hard work and effort really pays off in the end.”