Lindbergh High School has been recognized as one of the most challenging high schools in the nation by the Washington Post.

The publication ranked LHS 17th in Missouri and 1,296 nationwide on its annual “America’s Most Challenging High Schools” list.

“Lindbergh High School is proud to offer a variety of challenging courses for our students,” Principal Eric Cochran stated in a news release. “The high expectations associated with these rigorous courses are why our school has such a strong reputation throughout the state.”

The Washington Post ranked more than 2,300 public and private high schools based on an index formula ratio, which is calculated by taking the total number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Advanced International Certificate of Education tests given at a school each year and dividing that total by the number of seniors who graduated that same year.

LHS earned a ratio index of 2.065, which was based on data and results from the 2015-2016 school year. During that time, 50 percent of students participated in Advanced Placement courses, and five students earned International Baccalaureate diplomas.