See the top metro areas in the Best High Schools rankings.
While some individual high schools excel, metro areas can also stand out for education quality. Using the same methodology as the U.S. News Best High Schools national rankings, schools are grouped into metro areas according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Following standards set by the federal Office of Management and Budget, this means a metro area may include neighboring cities in other states. In all, U.S. News ranked approximately 17,860 public high schools. The top 40 metro areas — which spread from coast to coast — represent those with the highest proportions of schools ranking among the top 25% nationally. Read on to learn more, starting in reverse order with those with the lowest proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally.
Kansas City
Ranked schools: 111
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 37
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 33.3%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Sumner Academy of Arts and Science (6)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Kansas City.
Las Vegas
Ranked schools: 57
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 19
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 33.3%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Advanced Technologies Academy (135)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Las Vegas.
Cleveland
Ranked schools: 97
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 33
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 34%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Solon High School (172)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Cleveland.
Akron, Ohio
Ranked schools: 38
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 13
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 34.2%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Hudson High School (410)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Akron.
Columbus, Ohio
Ranked schools: 104
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 36
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 34.6%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Bexley High School (164)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Columbus.
Albany, New York
Ranked schools: 45
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 16
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 35.6%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Bethlehem Central Senior High School (901)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Albany.
Worcester, Massachusetts
Ranked schools: 64
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 23
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 35.9%
Highest-ranked school nationally: The Bromfield School (210)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Worcester.
Tampa, Florida
Ranked schools: 77
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 28
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 36.4%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Plant High School (615)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Tampa.
Cincinnati
Ranked schools: 101
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 37
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 36.6%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Walnut Hills High School (112)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Cincinnati.
Springfield, Massachusetts
Ranked schools: 41
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 15
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 36.6%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School (40)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Springfield.
Sacramento, California
Ranked schools: 103
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 38
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 36.9%
Highest-ranked school nationally: West Campus High School (222)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Sacramento.
Baltimore
Ranked schools: 100
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 37
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 37%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Eastern Technical High School (132)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Baltimore.
Rochester, New York
Ranked schools: 74
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 28
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 37.8%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Pittsford-Mendon High School (193)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Rochester.
Denver
Ranked schools: 161
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 61
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 37.9%
Highest-ranked school nationally: D’Evelyn Junior/Senior High School (67)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Denver.
Buffalo, New York
Ranked schools: 63
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 24
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 38.1%
Highest-ranked school nationally: City Honors School at Fosdick Masten Park (178)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Buffalo.
Minneapolis
Ranked schools: 176
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 67
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 38.1%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Math and Science Academy (99)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Minneapolis.
Virginia Beach
Ranked schools: 55
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 21
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 38.2%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Grassfield High School (842)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Virginia Beach.
Atlanta
Ranked schools: 193
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 74
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 38.3%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology (9)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Atlanta.
Austin, Texas
Ranked schools: 81
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 31
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 38.3%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA) (41)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Austin.
Dallas
Ranked schools: 303
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 116
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 38.3%
Highest-ranked school nationally: The School for the Talented and Gifted (TAG) (13)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Dallas.
San Diego
Ranked schools: 138
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 53
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 38.4%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Preuss School UCSD (76)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in San Diego.
New York
Ranked schools: 1,016
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 401
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 39.5%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Townsend Harris High School (12)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in New York.
Jacksonville, Florida
Ranked schools: 48
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 19
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 39.6%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Stanton College Preparatory School (77)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Jacksonville.
Houston
Ranked schools: 224
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 89
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 39.7%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Carnegie Vanguard High School (42)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Houston.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Ranked schools: 62
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 25
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 40.3%
Highest-ranked school nationally: City High Middle School (31)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Grand Rapids.
Madison, Wisconsin
Ranked schools: 43
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 18
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 41.9%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Middleton High (523)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Madison.
Chicago
Ranked schools: 326
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 139
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 42.6%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Payton College Preparatory High School (4)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Chicago.
Orlando, Florida
Ranked schools: 64
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 28
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 43.8%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Osceola County School of Arts (298)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Orlando.
Raleigh, North Carolina
Ranked schools: 50
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 22
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 44%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Raleigh Charter High School (100)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Raleigh.
Seattle
Ranked schools: 113
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 50
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 44.2%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Tesla STEM High School (16)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Seattle.
Milwaukee
Ranked schools: 80
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 38
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 47.5%
Highest-ranked school nationally: High School of Health Sciences (206)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Milwaukee.
Washington, D.C.
Ranked schools: 190
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 92
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 48.4%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (1)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Washington, D.C.
Boston
Ranked schools: 219
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 107
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 48.9%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Boston Latin School (36)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Boston.
Miami
Ranked schools: 174
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 85
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 48.9%
Highest-ranked school nationally: School for Advanced Studies (SAS) (5)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Miami.
San Francisco
Ranked schools: 161
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 82
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 50.9%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Mission San Jose High (71)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in San Francisco.
Hartford, Connecticut
Ranked schools: 76
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 39
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 51.3%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Connecticut IB Academy (494)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Hartford.
McAllen, Texas
Ranked schools: 60
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 31
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 51.7%
Highest-ranked school nationally: IDEA McAllen College Preparatory (125)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in McAllen, Texas.
Los Angeles
Ranked schools: 500
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 270
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 54%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Oxford Academy (11)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Los Angeles.
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Ranked schools: 40
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 24
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 60%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Darien High School (201)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in Bridgeport.
San Jose, California
Ranked schools: 63
Schools ranked in the top 25%: 40
Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 63.5%
Highest-ranked school nationally: Dr. T.J. Owens Gilroy Early College Academy (110)
Learn more about the Best High Schools in San Jose.
Explore the highest-ranked high schools.
Families can explore the overall 2021 U.S. News Best High Schools rankings, along with the Best Charter Schools and Best Magnet Schools rankings. Connect with U.S. News Education on Facebook, or tweet @USNewsEducation using the hashtag #BestHighSchools to share your thoughts on the rankings.
Top metro areas for Best High Schools
— San Jose, California
— Bridgeport, Connecticut
— Los Angeles
— McAllen, Texas
— Hartford, Connecticut
— San Francisco
— Boston
— Miami
— Washington, D.C.
— Milwaukee
— Seattle
— Raleigh, North Carolina
— Orlando, Florida
— Chicago
— Madison, Wisconsin
— Grand Rapids, Michigan
— Houston
— Jacksonville, Florida
— New York
— San Diego
— Atlanta
— Austin, Texas
— Dallas
— Virginia Beach
— Buffalo, New York
— Minneapolis
— Denver
— Rochester, New York
— Baltimore
— Sacramento, California
— Cincinnati
— Springfield, Massachusetts
— Tampa, Florida
— Worcester, Massachusetts
— Albany, New York
— Columbus, Ohio
— Akron, Ohio
— Cleveland
— Kansas City
— Las Vegas
More from U.S. News
See the 2021 Best Public High Schools
Magnet Schools vs. Charter Schools: Differences Explained
How High School Counselors Can Help Students, Parents
Metro Areas With the Most Top-Ranked High Schools in the U.S. originally appeared on usnews.com
Update 04/27/21: This slideshow has been updated with data from the 2021 U.S. News Best High Schools rankings.
