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Alexandria (web | news) , Va. - Out of 21,000 public high schools across the nation, Thomas Jefferson High School in Alexandria is considered the best, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Not many teenagers can say they're doing this in high school. "I'm designing and implementing a speed management system in cars to help deter speeding among teen drivers," said senior Molly Patterson.

Students at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology say their lessons go beyond the textbook. "We're given the opportunity to work with scientists and laboratories that some people don't ever get to do, and we use it to the most that we can," said senior Amanda Cain.

Faculty members say their work with scientists and laboratories leads to results. For the second consecutive year, the school topped the best high schools list put out by U.S. News & World Report. "We're all learning from one another. It's not just the teachers who are delivering curriculum, but the students are creating ideas and sharing them with the whole community," said Evan Glazer, principal.

Thomas Jefferson is a magnet school that focuses heavily on math, science and technology education. If offers courses not available to all students in the school system. The unique environment attracts thousands of applicants every year. "There's normally 5 thousand students who apply for a little under 500 positions," said Glazer.

Those who earn the spots say the school prepares them for the next step. "I'm really interested in computer administration so I'm applying for colleges to RIP and RPI," said senior Trey Repetski. "I applied early to Stanford. Results come out in a week and a half," said senior Varun Bansal.

Some other local high schools that made the top 100 list include Walt Whitman in Bethesda at 44th, McLean High at 55th and Langley High also in McLean at 76th.

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