Edina High School named best in Minnesota, according to U.S. News and World Report

Edina High School is the best in Minnesota, according to U.S. News and World Report.

On Tuesday, the publication released its 2014 rankings of American high schools, identifying the best based on Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate exams and other criteria.

In Minnesota, Mahtomedi and Houston High Schools were ranked second and third.

Nationally, Edina High School ranked 197th. Just a few weeks ago, the West Metro high school was designated the most challenging high school in Minnesota by the Washington Post which used a similar ranking system.

Minnesota, however, did not fare well compared to other states in terms of the number of stellar high schools. Overall, it ranked 33rd. Maine had the most schools that earned gold medals, the top-prize in the publication's ranking system. A school in Dallas for gifted and talented students was named the best high school in the country.

The state ranking, however, certainly doesn't mean Minnesota students are bombing the AP and other college readiness exams. It's just the opposite in fact.

A report released earlier this year by the College Board shows that number of Minnesota students taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses has almost doubled over the past decade. Last year, 11,497 passed the exam - almost twice the number of students who passed it a decade ago.