"The competitive edge come in and, okay, so we got a silver medal," said Assistant Principal Tim Wright. "That's great, we're doing a great job. What can we do to get better?"

Researchers looked at around 19,000 schools in 40 states, giving the top 100 schools gold medals. Rock Bridge High School is among 405 schools in the country to gain a silver medal ranking, and one of two high schools in Missouri to earn that same honor. Judges used a ranking formula, which rated schools across the country on criteria like: how a school serves its students, how it helps its disadvantaged students, and how well the school prepares its students for higher education.

"For a national organization, like U.S. News and World Report to recognize us is just an outstanding honor," said Lynn Barnett of the Columbia Public Schools.

School officials said it's important to remember Rock Bridge isn't the only place where education is thriving in Missouri.

The other school in Missouri to earn a silver medal was Metro High School in St. Louis.