Gretchen A. Whitney High School in Cerritos ranked 19th in a new U.S. News and World report that lists this year's best high schools nationwide. According to the report, Whitney High has a college readiness index, which is based on advanced placement exams, of 98.8, and the school ranks No. 5 for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The top spot on the nationwide list went to the School for the Talented and Gifted in Dallas, Texas. Within the state of California, Whitney High ranked No. 1; California Academy of Mathematics and Science in Carson ranked No. 10; Hawthorne Math and Science Academy ranked No. 12; and Lennox Mathematics, Science and Technology Academy ranked No. 13. Researchers used a mix of factors like class size, college readiness and graduation rates to come up with the rankings.