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2022 Best Magnet High School Rankings

Magnet high schools are public high schools that offer specialized courses, often designed around a theme. Any student in the designated region can attend, which causes most magnet schools to use a lottery system to accept applicants. Some magnet schools use an application process that involves test scores and GPAs. The following are the nation's best magnet schools, as calculated by U.S. News.

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Here are the 2022 Best Magnet High School Rankings

  1. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
  2. Academic Magnet High School
  3. Central Magnet School
  4. The School for the Talented and Gifted (TAG)
  5. Julia R. Masterman Secondary School
  6. Tesla STEM High School
  7. Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School
  8. Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women's Leadership School
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Magnet Rank

  1. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

    Alexandria, VA

    Fairfax County Public Schools

    Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology uses a STEM-focused curriculum that culminates with a technical lab project for seniors. The school offers courses like DNA science, advanced...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    100%
    Graduation Rate
    College Readiness
    100
    College Readiness
    Enrollment 9-12
    1,809
    Enrollment 9-12

  2. Academic Magnet High School

    North Charleston, SC

    Charleston County School District

    Academic Magnet High School aims to "challenge each student, teacher and parent with high academic expectations." Almost all courses offered at Academic Magnet High School are either honors...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    100%
    Graduation Rate
    College Readiness
    100
    College Readiness
    Enrollment 9-12
    698
    Enrollment 9-12

  3. Central Magnet School

    Murfreesboro, TN

    Rutherford County Schools

    Central Magnet School is ranked first 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
    N/A
    Graduation Rate
    College Readiness
    100
    College Readiness
    Enrollment 9-12
    815
    Enrollment 9-12

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

    Dallas, TX

    Dallas Independent School District

    The School for the Talented and Gifted follows the state's Distinguished Achievement Program and places an emphasis on Advanced Placement curriculum — TAG offers 30 AP courses and students...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    99%
    Graduation Rate
    College Readiness
    100
    College Readiness
    Enrollment 9-12
    464
    Enrollment 9-12

  6. Julia R. Masterman Secondary School

    Philadelphia, PA

    Philadelphia City School District

    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
    98%
    Graduation Rate
    College Readiness
    95.5
    College Readiness
    Enrollment 9-12
    462
    Enrollment 9-12

  7. 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
    > 98%
    Graduation Rate
    College Readiness
    100
    College Readiness
    Enrollment 9-12
    606
    Enrollment 9-12

  9. Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School

    Montgomery, AL

    Montgomery Public Schools

    Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School places a strong emphasis on parent engagement through newsletters, conferences, volunteering and fundraising opportunities. The school’s curriculum...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    100%
    Graduation Rate
    College Readiness
    90.2
    College Readiness
    Enrollment 9-12
    469
    Enrollment 9-12

  10. Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women's Leadership School

    Dallas, TX

    Dallas Independent School District

    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
    100%
    Graduation Rate
    College Readiness
    94.7
    College Readiness
    Enrollment 9-12
    285
    Enrollment 9-12

  11. International Academy of Macomb

    Clinton Twp, MI

    Chippewa Valley Schools

    The International Academy of Macomb is a magnet school that offers an International Baccalaureate curriculum. As underclassmen, students will take classes meant to prepare them for the IB courses...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    100%
    Graduation Rate
    College Readiness
    96.9
    College Readiness
    Enrollment 9-12
    477
    Enrollment 9-12

  13. Science and Engineering Magnet School (SEM)

    Dallas, TX

    Dallas Independent School District

    Students at the Science and Engineering Magnet School start Advanced Placement courses their freshman year and can earn college credit via dual-enrollment opportunities with several area community colleges...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    100%
    Graduation Rate
    College Readiness
    100
    College Readiness
    Enrollment 9-12
    513
    Enrollment 9-12

  14. Pine View School

    Osprey, FL

    Sarasota County Schools

    The curriculum at Pine View School mixes traditional classroom learning with independent study, mini-courses and ungraded classes. Pine View School places a strong emphasis on parent involvement through...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    100%
    Graduation Rate
    College Readiness
    100
    College Readiness
    Enrollment 9-12
    781
    Enrollment 9-12

  15. Sumner Academy of Arts and Science

    Kansas City, KS

    Kansas City Public Schools

    Sumner Academy of Arts and Science is ranked first within Kansas. Students have the opportunity to take International Baccalaureate coursework and exams. The IB participation rate at Sumner Academy...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    98%
    Graduation Rate
    College Readiness
    94.9
    College Readiness
    Enrollment 9-12
    896
    Enrollment 9-12

  17. Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy

    Avondale, LA

    Jefferson Parish Schools

    Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy is ranked first within Louisiana. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    > 95%
    Graduation Rate
    College Readiness
    92.0
    College Readiness
    Enrollment 9-12
    463
    Enrollment 9-12

  18. Carnegie Vanguard High School

    Houston, TX

    Houston Independent School District

    Carnegie Vanguard High School’s curriculum consists of Advanced Placement and pre-AP courses, as well as honors electives. Carnegie students generally take at least 10 AP courses before they graduate....Read More

    Graduation Rate
    98%
    Graduation Rate
    College Readiness
    100
    College Readiness
    Enrollment 9-12
    925
    Enrollment 9-12

  19. Merrol Hyde Magnet School

    Hendersonville, TN

    Sumner County

    Merrol Hyde Magnet School is ranked second 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
    N/A
    Graduation Rate
    College Readiness
    87.3
    College Readiness
    Enrollment 9-12
    240
    Enrollment 9-12

  21. Dupont Manual High School

    Louisville, KY

    Jefferson County Public Schools

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

    Graduation Rate
    99%
    Graduation Rate
    College Readiness
    85.0
    College Readiness
    Enrollment 9-12
    1,928
    Enrollment 9-12

  22. Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet

    Dallas, TX

    Dallas Independent School District

    Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet is ranked sixth within Texas. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Judge Barefoot...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    100%
    Graduation Rate
    College Readiness
    96.2
    College Readiness
    Enrollment 9-12
    459
    Enrollment 9-12

  23. DeBakey High School for Health Professions

    Houston, TX

    Houston Independent School District

    DeBakey High School for Health Professions is located on the Texas Medical Center campus, and students have access to research facilities and academic programs at the center. Graduates are eligible...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    96%
    Graduation Rate
    College Readiness
    94.5
    College Readiness
    Enrollment 9-12
    939
    Enrollment 9-12

  25. Young Women's Preparatory Academy

    Miami, FL

    Miami-Dade County Public Schools

    The Young Women’s Preparatory Academy recruits a diverse group of female students and aims to mold them into leaders. The school focuses on personalized learning, offers an advanced curriculum...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    100%
    Graduation Rate
    College Readiness
    100
    College Readiness
    Enrollment 9-12
    155
    Enrollment 9-12

  26. Staten Island Technical High School

    Staten Island, NY

    New York City Public Schools

    Staten Island Technical High School is ranked seventh within New York. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Staten...Read More

    Graduation Rate
    100%
    Graduation Rate
    College Readiness
    96.9
    College Readiness
    Enrollment 9-12
    1,336
    Enrollment 9-12

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.