TOPPENISH — African drum beats, congratulations and applause echoed through the air Wednesday in the Toppenish High School gymnasium.

Pure elation was the mood at an assembly as the school celebrated its recognition as one of “America’s Best High Schools” by U.S. News and World Report.

The 90-minute celebration involved school officials, teachers, community leaders and students patting each other on the back. It took on the feel of a pep rally.

“We’re not all-league, we’re not all-county, we’re not all-state,” belted former Principal Walt Wagener. “We’re all-nation.”

A comment from a student earned one of the biggest rounds of applause from students crammed into the bleachers.

“Well, it’s about time,” said Luz Rodriguez, student body vice president, of the ranking.

Each speech told of improving test scores, harder classes and a climbing graduation rate, all accomplished with a philosophy that puts relationships ahead of results.

The list of dignitaries included Heritage University President Kathleen Ross, Yakama Nation Tribal Council Chairman Ralph Sampson and state Representative-elect Norm Johnson, a 1956 graduate of Toppenish High School.

The celebration also featured musical performances by the school’s band, choir and drum group.

The U.S. News and World Report list, which hit newsstands Monday, gave Toppenish a silver medal, putting it among the top 604 high schools in the country and top 16 in the state. Toppenish was the only school in Eastern Washington to earn such a ranking.

The magazine based its results solely on statistical surveys of 21,000 high schools in America. Nobody visited or called the Toppenish School District. In fact, nobody in Toppenish knew the school was under review.

The criteria measured the school’s academic achievements in light of challenges posed by poverty, language barriers and the number of single-parent households. The survey also looked at how many students take advanced-placement courses, how well they do in them, state reading and math scores, and the number of students preparing for college.

The ranking contrasts with the federal government measurements. The No Child Left Behind Act identifies five steps for schools needing improvement in 36 areas. Schools enter the step system after failing to meet Adequate Yearly Progress, or AYP, for two years in a row. Toppenish High is one of six schools in Yakima County on Step 5 of the system. Many Yakima Valley school administrators, especially those in Toppenish, believe AYP is unfair because it only measures failure.

Toppenish High boasts a 91.6 percent graduation rate, said Superintendent Steve Myers. Of those graduates, 96 percent of them are accepted to college or technical schools.

Students agreed that things have been improving. More students want harder classes while more teachers stick around later in the day to help. For example, senior Aimee Gone said her calculus class has jumped from five to 22 students in a year, and her teacher stays until 5 p.m. to help her.

“We take a lot more pride in classes,” she said after the assembly.

Julio Avalos said the energy has rubbed off on him. The fourth-year student only has enough credits for junior status, but his grades are climbing along with the schools’ energy, he said.

“I’m inspired,” he said. “Now I got my head on straight.”

• Ross Courtney can be reached at 930-8798 or rcourtney@yakimaherald.com.