Th City of Falls Church’s George Mason High School is once again one of the area’s most challenging high schools according to the Washington Post’s annual rankings. Mason was ranked #5 in the D.C.-area in the 2011 High School Challenge, the Post’s annual rankings of high schools.

The Post ranks schools, locally and nationally, based on the number of advanced tests including Advanced Placement, International Baccalauereate and other college-level tests, divided by the number of graduating seniors.

“We continue to be proud of our standing compared to our neighboring divisions and high schools,” said F.C. schools superintendent Dr. Lois Berlin in a press release.

Mason’s challenge index was 4.882, down from 5.333 in 2010 when they ranked #4 in the area. Overall, Mason ranked #70 nationally. Mason has never been less than sixth in the rankings in the Washington, D.C. area and was ranked #1 in the index from 1998-2003.

Other Falls Church-area schools in D.C.’s top 170 include McLean High School at #12 and Falls Church High School at #49.