Best Public High Schools in the United States

The choice of a high school isn’t easy. It requires considering many factors. From teaching approach and college preparation opportunities to extracurricular activities available to students, every detail matters. And it takes a lot of research to make the right choice. But we’re here to help.

We took the latest national school rankings by Niche, student and parent reviews, and other statistics to detect the top 10 public high schools in the country. Let’s look at each.

North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics

#1 public school in the country

#1 school for getting ready for college

The School of Science & Mathematics opens 2026 rankings. It is based in Durham. And the school has 975 students.

The school offers two-year residential programs for high school students. It stands for interdisciplinary education. That is, students are offered hands-on, problem-based programs in STEM.

This school stands out in academic performance. It has a stunning 99% graduation rate. Its students also show great average test scores of 1450/1600 for the SAT and 32/36 for the ACT.

Key pros:

• Innovative interdisciplinary programs.
• Excellent preparation for higher education and high test scores.
• Positive feedback from students and parents.

The Davidson Academy

#2 public school in the country

#1 best public school teachers

The second-best option is the Davidson Academy. This school is located in Reno. And it’s also the number one among Nevada’s schools.

The school has only 173 students. This creates a good student-teacher ratio. As a result, all learners receive plenty of attention and personalized guidance. Not without a reason, it’s also ranked as the best school in Nevada and as a school with the best teachers.

This school is known for learning excellence. 100% of students who attend it successfully graduate. This demonstrates students’ dedication. And it also means that the facility uses advanced teaching approaches to foster learning success. Students from this school also excel in exams. They demonstrate an average SAT result of 1530. Their average ACT scores are only one point below the highest (35). No surprise, Davidson graduates enroll in colleges like Stanford University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Key pros:

• A nationally recognized school with highly accelerated academic curricula.
• A small student body allows for learning depth and rigor.
• High average test scores.

MA Academy for Math & Science School

#3 public school in the country

#1 in Massachusetts for preparing for higher education

The MA Academy is a magnet school in Worcester. It’s quite competitive. To get in, students must show advanced talent in math, science, and technology. Currently, it has 97 students.

This school is known for academic rigor. All courses are heavily focused on research and independent learning. Thanks to this, students acquire the skills they need to perform well in college. And it also provides unique extracurricular opportunities.

The academy’s students demonstrate great performance in standardized tests. The average results are 1500 and 34.

Key pros:

• Rigorous preparation for higher education with a focus on independent learning.
• Unique extracurricular opportunities for students.
• The school is recognized as #1 with the best high school teachers in Massachusetts.

South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics

#4 public school in the country

#1 high school for STEM in South Carolina

The fourth top school is based in Hartsville. It offers two-year programs. And it’s an in-residence school. Currently, it serves only 290 students. This is because of a selective enrollment process. To be accepted, learners must demonstrate exceptional academic preparation in STEM.

The school is broadly recognized in the state. It’s ranked as the overall top school in South Carolina. Also, it’s ranked #1 for higher education readiness, teachers, and STEM schools in the area.

The school offers college-level courses. This prepares students for competitive high-tech careers. Also, there is personalized counseling and hands-on extracurricular opportunities.

Key pros:

• Over 50 STEM classes with accelerated curricula.
• Supportive environment.
• Diverse extracurricular activities with 70% engagement.

Stuyvesant High School

#5 public school in the country

#1 public school in New York

Stuyvesant is a school for 9-12 grades. It’s located in New York. Currently, 3,350 learners attend it.

This school stands for its rigorous academics. Its students shine in national proficiency tests. Their scores reach 99% in math and 98% in reading. Stuyvesant also often produces Ivy League students. Many of its grads end up in Yale, Harvard, and other top-rated colleges.

Key pros:

• Heavy focus on STEM, as well as extensive humanities and music programs.
• AP courses and college credit opportunities.
• Specialized major choice after the sophomore year.

Payton College Preparatory High School

#6 public school in the country

#1 in Illinois for preparing for higher education

Payton College Preparatory High School is a four-year magnet school. It’s located in Chicago. The school has operated since 2000 and is recognized as a global model for teaching and learning excellence. It has a fairly diverse student body of 1,265 learners.

This school is one of the country’s leaders in college prep. It offers 28 AP courses and personalized counseling to prepare students for their future studies. It also boasts a whopping 91% AP exam pass rate.

Surveyed students and parents also emphasize the school’s well-equipped and modern facilities.

Key pros:

• 15:1 student-teacher ratio.
• Strong STEM-focused and global language programs.
• Specialized curriculum with multiple AP courses.

School for the Talented and Gifted

#7 public school in the country

#1 magnet school in Texas

Next up is a magnet school located in Dallas. It has 546 students. This creates a good student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1.

Thanks to accelerated programs, the school’s students demonstrate the highest level of reading and math proficiency. The AP enrollment rate is also the highest. And standardized test scores are far above the average (1390 and 32).

There is another thing that makes this school special. It’s the social-emotional support system. The school recognizes the frequency of emotional challenges and anxiety facing gifted students and tries to address them.

Key pros:

• Specialized instruction geared toward gifted students.
• Special support programs that address students’ emotional and social needs.
• Accelerated learning environment focused on college prep.

Pine View School

#8 public school in the country

#1 college prep school in Florida

Pine View is a magnet school. Located in Osprey, this facility was established in 1969. Currently, it has 1,674 students from grades 2 to 12.

The school was designed specifically for intellectually gifted students. Hence, it has accelerated learning programs and boasts high proficiency test scores of 99% in reading and 100% in math.

This school is particularly known for extensive college prep programs. It offers 34 AP courses. Its students also perform well in exams. The average scores are 1420 for the SAT and 32 for the ACT.

Key pros:

• Curriculum designed for gifted students.
• Award-winning extracurriculars, including robotics, journalism, and more.
• Strong, mentorship-based support programs.

Rising Leaders Academy

#9 public school in the country

#1 charter school in the country

The next top choice is a charter. It's located in Panama City. It has 335 students and is a full-fledged K-12 school.

This school has a focus on wholesome development. That is, it’s not meant solely for intellectual growth. It also fosters emotional, social, and personal development. This helps prepare individuals to live and work in a globalizing world.

The academy offers only 12 AP courses. Yet, its students show a whoping 100% AP exam pass rate. The school is also known for using project-based and expeditionary learning approaches to foster student success.

Key pros:

• A specific focus on STEM/STEAM disciplines.
• Specialized entrepreneurship curriculum.
• Diverse and inclusive environment.

Northside College Preparatory High School

#10 public school in the country

#2 public school in Illinois

This is another magnet school. It offers four-year programs with selective enrollment. The school was founded in 1999, is located in Chicago, and has 1,032 students.

College prep is the primary focus of this school. It offers 25 AP courses and a strong curriculum that prepares learners for competitive college education. Students who attend this school also succeed in tests.

Key pros:

• Rigorous programs with a focus on all-around development and college prep.
• Diverse extracurricular opportunities.
• Outstanding school culture.

List of High Schools in the United States

Niche creates school ratings based on thorough analysis. The overall grade and rating are calculated using individual scores in six primary categories:

• Academics. Considered factors: student-teacher ratio, AP test pass rate, enrolled college score, etc.
• Teachers. Considered factors: academic grade, parent/student surveys, teacher absenteeism, etc.
• Clubs & activities. Considered factors: resources and facilities, sports grade, surveys, etc.
• Diversity. Considered factors: diversity index, economically disadvantaged percent, etc.
• College prep. Considered factors: enrolment rate, graduation rate, enrolled college score, etc.‍
• Administration. Considered factors: expenses, absenteeism, etc.

Conclusion

There are over 24,000 high schools in the US. They are different in many ways. Choosing the right one that can prepare a child for college well requires considering many things. And it’s not so easy to make the choice on your own.

Now, you have a list of the top high schools in the United States as of today. Use the information from school descriptions and the comparison table to make your decision.