Metro Areas With the Most Top-Ranked High Schools in the U.S.

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 17,840 public high schools. The top 41 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 by proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally.

Albany, New York

Ranked schools: 46

Schools ranked in the top 25%: 15

Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 33%

Highest-ranked school nationally: Bethlehem Central Senior High School (795)

Learn more about the Best High Schools in Albany.

Columbus, Ohio

Ranked schools: 107

Schools ranked in the top 25%: 35

Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 33%

Highest-ranked school nationally: Bexley High School (184)

Learn more about the Best High Schools in Columbus.

Cincinnati

Ranked schools: 105

Schools ranked in the top 25%: 35

Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 33%

Highest-ranked school nationally: Walnut Hills High School (139)

Learn more about the Best High Schools in Cincinnati.

Fresno, California

Ranked schools: 49

Schools ranked in the top 25%: 16

Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 33%

Highest-ranked school nationally: University High School (Fresno) (92)

Learn more about the Best High Schools in Fresno.

El Paso, Texas

Ranked schools: 44

Schools ranked in the top 25%: 15

Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 44%

Highest-ranked school nationally: Valle Verde Early College High School (345)

Learn more about the Best High Schools in El Paso.

Cleveland

Ranked schools: 102

Schools ranked in the top 25%: 35

Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 34%

Highest-ranked school nationally: Solon High School (211)

Learn more about the Best High Schools in Cleveland.

Springfield, Massachusetts

Ranked schools: 49

Schools ranked in the top 25%: 17

Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 35%

Highest-ranked school nationally: Hampden Charter School of Science (615)

Learn more about the Best High Schools in Springfield.

Little Rock, Arkansas

Ranked schools: 36

Schools ranked in the top 25%: 13

Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 36%

Highest-ranked school nationally: Lisa Academy North High Charter School (648)

Learn more about the Best High Schools in Little Rock.

Baltimore

Ranked schools: 99

Schools ranked in the top 25%: 36

Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 36%

Highest-ranked school nationally: Eastern Technical High School (224)

Learn more about the Best High Schools in Baltimore.

Durham, North Carolina

Ranked schools: 33

Schools ranked in the top 25%: 12

Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 36%

Highest-ranked school nationally: Woods Charter (172)

Learn more about the Best High Schools in Durham.

Worcester, Massachusetts

Ranked schools: 63

Schools ranked in the top 25%: 23

Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 37%

Highest-ranked school nationally: The Bromfield School (331)

Learn more about the Best High Schools in Worcester.

Denver

Ranked schools: 158

Schools ranked in the top 25%: 59

Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 37%

Highest-ranked school nationally: D’Evelyn Junior/Senior High School (85)

Learn more about the Best High Schools in Denver.

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Ranked schools: 60

Schools ranked in the top 25%: 23

Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 38%

Highest-ranked school nationally: Grassfield High School (897)

Learn more about the Best High Schools in Virginia Beach.

Rochester, New York

Ranked schools: 72

Schools ranked in the top 25%: 27

Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 38%

Highest-ranked school nationally: Pittsford-Mendon High School (286)

Learn more about the Best High Schools in Rochester.

Minneapolis

Ranked schools: 173

Schools ranked in the top 25%: 65

Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 38%

Highest-ranked school nationally: Math and Science Academy (117)

Learn more about the Best High Schools in Minneapolis.

Atlanta

Ranked schools: 190

Schools ranked in the top 25%: 73

Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 38%

Highest-ranked school nationally: Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology (9)

Learn more about theBest High Schools in Atlanta.

Buffalo, New York

Ranked schools: 61

Schools ranked in the top 25%: 24

Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 39%

Highest-ranked school nationally: City Honors School at Fosdick-Masten Park (234)

Learn more about the Best High Schools in Buffalo.

Dallas

Ranked schools: 297

Schools ranked in the top 25%: 115

Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 39%

Highest-ranked school nationally: The School for the Talented and Gifted (TAG) (8)

Learn more about the Best High Schools in Dallas.

Jacksonville, Florida

Ranked schools: 47

Schools ranked in the top 25%: 19

Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 40%

Highest-ranked school nationally: Stanton College Preparatory School (75)

Learn more about the Best High Schools in Jacksonville.

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Ranked schools: 62

Schools ranked in the top 25%: 25

Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 40%

Highest-ranked school nationally: City High Middle School (18)

Learn more about the Best High Schools in Grand Rapids.

Chicago

Ranked schools: 348

Schools ranked in the top 25%: 143

Proportion of schools in the top 25% nationally: 41%

Highest-ranked school nationally: Payton College Preparatory High School (5)

Learn more about the Best High Schools in Chicago.

Sacramento, California

Ranked schools: 97

Schools ranked in the top 25%: 41