Explore the highest-ranked high schools.
The best public high schools can help students envision their goals and reach their college or career aspirations. U.S. News reviewed nearly 24,000 public schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia for the 2021 rankings, using data from the 2018-2019 school year. These 25 schools scored the highest based on their performance on various ranking indicators, including state tests and graduation rates.
25. Whitney High School
Location: Cerritos, California
High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 681
Student-teacher ratio: 26:1
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24. International Academy of Macomb
Location: Clinton Township, Michigan
High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 491
Student-teacher ratio: 98:1
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23. BASIS Oro Valley
Location: Oro Valley, Arizona
High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 230
Student-teacher ratio: N/A
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22. Brooklyn Technical High School
Location: Brooklyn, New York
High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 5,934
Student-teacher ratio: 22:1
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21. International School of Beaverton
Location: Beaverton, Oregon
High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 381
Student-teacher ratio: 22:1
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20. The Early College at Guilford
Location: Greensboro, North Carolina
High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 199
Student-teacher ratio: 25:1
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19. Central Magnet School
Location: Murfreesboro, Tennessee
High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 819
Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
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18. Julia R. Masterman Secondary School
Location: Philadelphia
High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 463
Student-teacher ratio: 22:1
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17. University High School (Tucson)
Location: Tucson, Arizona
High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 1097
Student-teacher ratio: 21:1
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16. Tesla STEM High School
Location: Redmond, Washington
High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 601
Student-teacher ratio: 21:1
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15. Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School
Location: Dallas
High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 247
Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
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14. Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School
Location: Montgomery, Alabama
High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 513
Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
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13. The School for the Talented and Gifted (TAG)
Location: Dallas
High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 359
Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
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12. Townsend Harris High School
Location: Flushing, New York
High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 1,183
Student-teacher ratio: 21:1
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11. Oxford Academy
Location: Cypress, California
High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 795
Student-teacher ratio: 29:1
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10. Signature School
Location: Evansville, Indiana
High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 390
Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
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9. Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology
Location: Lawrenceville, Georgia
High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 1,098
Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
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8. BASIS Chandler
Location: Chandler, Arizona
High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 291
Student-teacher ratio: N/A
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7. Merrol Hyde Magnet School
Location: Hendersonville, Tennessee
High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 232
Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
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6. Sumner Academy of Arts and Science
Location: Kansas City, Kansas
High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 846
Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
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5. School for Advanced Studies (SAS)
Location: Miami
High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 247
Student-teacher ratio: 41:1
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4. Payton College Preparatory High School
Location: Chicago
High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 1,153
Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
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3. The Davidson Academy of Nevada
Location: Reno, Nevada
High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 125
Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
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2. Academic Magnet High School
Location: North Charleston, South Carolina
High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 655
Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
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1. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Location: Alexandria, Virginia
High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 1,781
Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
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Learn more about the top high schools.
For more Best High Schools rankings and data, check out the and find rankings by . Connect with U.S. News Education on , or tweet using the hashtag to share your thoughts on the rankings.
Top 25 public high schools
1. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
2. Academic Magnet High School
3. The Davidson Academy of Nevada
4. Payton College Preparatory High School
5. School for Advanced Studies (SAS)
6. Sumner Academy of Arts and Science
7. Merrol Hyde Magnet School
8. BASIS Chandler
9. Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology
10. Signature School
11. Oxford Academy
12. Townsend Harris High School
13. The School for the Talented and Gifted (TAG)
14. Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School
15. Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School
16. Tesla STEM High School
17. University High School (Tucson)
18. Julia R. Masterman Secondary School
19. Central Magnet School
20. The Early College at Guilford
21. International School of Beaverton
22. Brooklyn Technical High School
23. BASIS Oro Valley
24. International Academy of Macomb
25. Whitney High School
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