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Best U.S. High Schools

The U.S. News Best High Schools rankings include data on more than 24,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Nearly 18,000 schools were ranked on six factors based on their performance on state assessments and how well they prepare students for college.

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How We Rank the Best High Schools »

Here are the Best U.S. High Schools

  1. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
  2. Academic Magnet High School
  3. Merrol Hyde Magnet School
  4. School for Advanced Studies (SAS)
  5. Townsend Harris High School
  6. The School for the Talented and Gifted (TAG)
  7. BASIS Chandler
  8. Haas Hall Academy Bentonville
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17,792 high schools
17,792 high schools
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  1. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

    Alexandria, VA

    Fairfax County Public Schools

    Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology is ranked first within Virginia. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    Graduation Rate
    100%
    College Readiness
    College Readiness
    100
    Enrollment 9-12
    Enrollment 9-12
    1,786

  2. Academic Magnet High School

    North Charleston, SC

    Charleston County School District

    Academic Magnet High School is ranked first within South Carolina. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Academic...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    Graduation Rate
    100%
    College Readiness
    College Readiness
    100
    Enrollment 9-12
    Enrollment 9-12
    664

  3. Merrol Hyde Magnet School

    Hendersonville, TN

    Sumner County

    Merrol Hyde Magnet School is ranked first within Tennessee. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Merrol Hyde Magnet...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    Graduation Rate
    100%
    College Readiness
    College Readiness
    100
    Enrollment 9-12
    Enrollment 9-12
    225

  5. School for Advanced Studies (SAS)

    Miami, FL

    Miami-Dade County Public Schools

    School for Advanced Studies (SAS) is ranked first within Florida. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at School for...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    Graduation Rate
    100%
    College Readiness
    College Readiness
    98.6
    Enrollment 9-12
    Enrollment 9-12
    232

  6. Townsend Harris High School

    Flushing, NY

    New York City Public Schools

    Townsend Harris High School is ranked first within New York. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Townsend Harris...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    Graduation Rate
    100%
    College Readiness
    College Readiness
    99.0
    Enrollment 9-12
    Enrollment 9-12
    1,144

  7. The School for the Talented and Gifted (TAG)

    Dallas, TX

    Dallas ISD

    The School for the Talented and Gifted (TAG) is ranked first within Texas. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    Graduation Rate
    100%
    College Readiness
    College Readiness
    100
    Enrollment 9-12
    Enrollment 9-12
    276

  9. BASIS Chandler

    Chandler, AZ

    BASIS School Inc.

    BASIS Chandler is ranked first within Arizona. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at BASIS Chandler is 100%. The...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    Graduation Rate
    100%
    College Readiness
    College Readiness
    100
    Enrollment 9-12
    Enrollment 9-12
    267

  10. Haas Hall Academy Bentonville

    Bentonville, AR

    Haas Hall Bentonville

    Haas Hall Academy Bentonville is ranked first within Arkansas. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Haas Hall Academy...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    Graduation Rate
    98%
    College Readiness
    College Readiness
    94.0
    Enrollment 9-12
    Enrollment 9-12
    184

  11. Payton College Preparatory High School

    Chicago, IL

    Chicago Public Schools

    Payton College Preparatory High School is ranked first within Illinois. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Payton...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    Graduation Rate
    96%
    College Readiness
    College Readiness
    95.8
    Enrollment 9-12
    Enrollment 9-12
    1,073

  13. Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women's Leadership School

    Dallas, TX

    Dallas ISD

    Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women's Leadership School is ranked second within Texas. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    Graduation Rate
    100%
    College Readiness
    College Readiness
    95.3
    Enrollment 9-12
    Enrollment 9-12
    244

  14. California Academy of Mathematics and Science

    Carson, CA

    Long Beach Unified

    California Academy of Mathematics and Science is ranked first within California. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    Graduation Rate
    99%
    College Readiness
    College Readiness
    94.5
    Enrollment 9-12
    Enrollment 9-12
    667

  15. Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology

    Lawrenceville, GA

    Gwinnett County

    Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology is ranked first within Georgia. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    Graduation Rate
    98%
    College Readiness
    College Readiness
    98.5
    Enrollment 9-12
    Enrollment 9-12
    1,031

  17. Central Magnet School

    Murfreesboro, TN

    Rutherford County

    Central Magnet School is ranked second within Tennessee. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Central Magnet School...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    Graduation Rate
    100%
    College Readiness
    College Readiness
    99.6
    Enrollment 9-12
    Enrollment 9-12
    815

  18. Tesla STEM High School

    Redmond, WA

    Lake Washington School District

    Tesla STEM High School is ranked first within Washington. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Tesla STEM High School...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    Graduation Rate
    99%
    College Readiness
    College Readiness
    97.4
    Enrollment 9-12
    Enrollment 9-12
    605

  19. Signature School

    Evansville, IN

    Signature School Inc

    Signature School is ranked first within Indiana. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Signature School is 100%....Read More

    Graduation Rate
    Graduation Rate
    100%
    College Readiness
    College Readiness
    100
    Enrollment 9-12
    Enrollment 9-12
    366

  21. Julia R. Masterman Secondary School

    Philadelphia, PA

    Philadelphia Public Schools

    Julia R. Masterman Secondary School is ranked first within Pennsylvania. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Julia...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    Graduation Rate
    98%
    College Readiness
    College Readiness
    93.6
    Enrollment 9-12
    Enrollment 9-12
    451

  22. Science and Engineering Magnet School (SEM)

    Dallas, TX

    Dallas ISD

    Science and Engineering Magnet School (SEM) is ranked third within Texas. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Science...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    Graduation Rate
    100%
    College Readiness
    College Readiness
    100
    Enrollment 9-12
    Enrollment 9-12
    428

  23. BASIS Oro Valley

    Oro Valley, AZ

    BASIS School Inc.

    BASIS Oro Valley is ranked second within Arizona. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at BASIS Oro Valley is 100%....Read More

    Graduation Rate
    Graduation Rate
    100%
    College Readiness
    College Readiness
    100
    Enrollment 9-12
    Enrollment 9-12
    223

  25. Oxford Academy

    Cypress, CA

    Anaheim Union High

    Oxford Academy is ranked second within California. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Oxford Academy is 100%....Read More

    Graduation Rate
    Graduation Rate
    100%
    College Readiness
    College Readiness
    98.8
    Enrollment 9-12
    Enrollment 9-12
    795

  26. Downingtown STEM Academy

    Downingtown, PA

    Downingtown Area SD

    Downingtown STEM Academy is ranked second within Pennsylvania. Students have the opportunity to take International Baccalaureate coursework and exams. The IB participation rate at Downingtown STEM...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    Graduation Rate
    100%
    College Readiness
    College Readiness
    97.8
    Enrollment 9-12
    Enrollment 9-12
    815

AP and Advanced Placement are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used with permission.

International Baccalaureate (IB) data provided by International Baccalaureate of North America. Used with permission.