Western Center Academy in Hemet was recently named by U.S. News and World Report as the highest ranking public high school in southwest Riverside County in the publication’s 2019 U.S. News Best High Schools rankings.The school, which serves 220 students in grades 6 through 12, was ranked No. 77 in the nation, No. 9 in California and No. 16 on the charter high school list.The school has a focus on STEM curriculum – science, technology, engineering and math – according to its mission statement and puts students “through a combination of rigorous, accelerated coursework as well as opportunities for community service, project-based learning, educational outreach, technology integration and working with practicing scientists and engineers.”The U.S. News rankings were developed w
