See the 2022 Best Public High Schools

Explore the highest-ranked high schools.

The best public high schools can help students nurture their passions and reach their college or career aspirations. U.S. News reviewed public schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia for the 2022 Best High Schools rankings, using data from the 2019-2020 school year. These 25 schools scored the highest based on their performance on various ranking indicators, including state tests and graduation rates.

25. Queens High School for the Sciences at York College

Location: Jamaica, New York

High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 512

Student-teacher ratio: 19:1

Learn more about Queens High School for the Sciences at York College.

24. Pine View School

Location: Osprey, Florida

High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 781

Student-teacher ratio: 18:1

Learn more about the Pine View School.

23. Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics and Engineering Technologies

Location: Edison, New Jersey

High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 169

Student-teacher ratio: 13:1

Learn more about Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics and Engineering Technologies.

22. Science and Engineering Magnet School (SEM)

Location: Dallas

High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 513

Student-teacher ratio: 20:1

Learn more about Science and Engineering Magnet School (SEM).

21. International Academy of Macomb

Location: Clinton Township, Michigan

High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 477

Student-teacher ratio: 87:1

Learn more about the International Academy of Macomb.

20. Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School

Location: Dallas

High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 285

Student-teacher ratio: 19:1

Learn more about the Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School.

19. Townsend Harris High School

Location: Flushing, New York

High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 1,270

Student-teacher ratio: 18:1

Learn more about Townsend Harris High School.

18. City High Middle School

Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan

High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 604

Student-teacher ratio: 23:1

Learn more about City High Middle School.

17. Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School

Location: Montgomery, Alabama

High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 469

Student-teacher ratio: 16:1

Learn more about Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School.

16. Oxford Academy

Location: Cypress, California

High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 812

Student-teacher ratio: 28:1

Learn more about Oxford Academy.

15. California Academy of Mathematics and Science

Location: Carson, California

High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 669

Student-teacher ratio: 27:1

Learn more about California Academy of Mathematics and Science.

14. Whitney High School

Location: Cerritos, California

High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 691

Student-teacher ratio: 26:1

Learn more about Whitney High School.

13. Haas Hall Academy

Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas

High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 298

Student-teacher ratio: 13:1

Learn more about Haas Hall Academy.

12. Tesla STEM High School

Location: Redmond, Washington

High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 606

Student-teacher ratio: 20:1

Learn more about Tesla STEM High School.

11. BASIS Chandler

Location: Chandler, Arizona

High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 335

Student-teacher ratio: Data not available

Learn more about BASIS Chandler.

10. Julia R. Masterman Secondary School

Location: Philadelphia

High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 462

Student-teacher ratio: 23:1

Learn more about the Julia R. Masterman Secondary School.

9. Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology

Location: Lawrenceville, Georgia

High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 1,197

Student-teacher ratio: 16:1

Learn more about the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology.

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

Location: Dallas

High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 464

Student-teacher ratio: 18:1

Learn more about The School for the Talented and Gifted (TAG).

7. Central Magnet School

Location: Murfreesboro, Tennessee

High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 815

Student-teacher ratio: 17:1

Learn more about Central Magnet School.

6. The Davidson Academy of Nevada

Location: Reno, Nevada

High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 143

Student-teacher ratio: 7:1

Learn more about The Davidson Academy of Nevada.

5. Payton College Preparatory High School

Location: Chicago

High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 1,191

Student-teacher ratio: Data not available

Learn more about Payton College Preparatory High School.

4. School for Advanced Studies (SAS)

Location: Miami

High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 251

Student-teacher ratio: 31:1

Learn more about the School for Advanced Studies (SAS).

3. Signature School

Location: Evansville, Indiana

High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 389

Student-teacher ratio: 15:1

Learn more about Signature School.

2. Academic Magnet High School

Location: North Charleston, South Carolina

High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 698

Student-teacher ratio: 17:1

Learn more about Academic Magnet High School.

1. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

Location: Alexandria, Virginia

High school enrollment (grades 9-12): 1,809

Student-teacher ratio: 18:1

Learn more about Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

Learn more about the top high schools.

For more Best High Schools rankings and data, check out the top STEM schools and find rankings by state and metro area. Connect with U.S. News Education on Facebook, or tweet @USNewsEducation using the hashtag #BestHighSchools 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. Signature School

4. School for Advanced Studies (SAS)

5. Payton College Preparatory High School

6. The Davidson Academy of Nevada

7. Central Magnet School

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

9. Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology

10. Julia R. Masterman Secondary School

11. BASIS Chandler