In its annual report on Alberta schools, the Fraser Institute has compared data to come up with the provinces highest ranking schools.
This year, two Edmonton high schools came out on top; however, average exam performance by students has slipped over a percent in less than five years.
"The one that is really lagging behind is Edmonton Public Schools." Peter Cowley of the Fraser Institute said in an interview Sunday.
Out of a total 276 high schools in the province, only three Edmonton schools appear in the top twenty. More than half are ranked below 100.
Cowley said the reason Edmonton schools rankings are down is because the same 40 schools consistently perform poorly on tests.
"What we need to do is have a system that does not tolerate consistently low performing schools."
Two local high schools received a ten out of ten this year, Old Scona High School, and Tempo School. Two other high schools from Calgary were also ranked first.
Old Scona High School north of Whyte Avenue has ranked first for several years.
Grade 12 classes at Tempo School, located in Riverbend also shared the top spot.
According to the Fraser Institute's School Report Card website, the schools are compared based on student performance in provincially administered tests, as well as percentage of exams failed, and the average number of courses taken by each student.
Officials at the institute also state on their website that the ranking system should not necessarily be used on its own to determine which schools are best; attached to each ranking is a detailed description of the factors that went in to each mark.
The full list of Alberta schools is available online.
With files from Sean Amato
