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
12. Tesla STEM High School
13. Haas Hall Academy
14. Whitney High School
15. California Academy of Mathematics and Science
16. Oxford Academy
17. Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School
18. City High Middle School
19. Townsend Harris High School
20. Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School
21. International Academy Of Macomb
22. Science and Engineering Magnet School (SEM)
23. Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics and Engineering Technologies
24. Pine View School
25. Queens High School for the Sciences at York College
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How to Graduate From High School Early
IB vs. AP: Discover the Differences
See the 2022 Best Public High Schools originally appeared on usnews.com
