2020 Best Magnet High Schools in America

Best Schools

859 results

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology
Fairfax County Public Schools, VA
9-12
500 reviews
#1 Best Magnet High Schools in America
Senior: In terms of academics, I liked being challenged, going more in depth on some topics, and the idea of a more project-based environment (even when some of the projects weren't organized well by the teachers). There are so many opportunities available for students - the number of clubs is comparable to some colleges. The community I found was wonderfully supportive, most likely because we were all more arts-oriented. I know that there are always the show-offs and the jerks and they were definitely present, but I could avoid them. It's always a plus not having the bathrooms smell like drugs! However, the school is pretty notorious for being a breeding ground for mental health problems.
Read 500 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,786 Students
17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Public School
Aurora, IL
10-12
285 reviews
#2 Best Magnet High Schools in America
Senior: I think that, overall, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy is a great school. The teachers I have had are super nice and always supportive, and are willing to help outside of the classroom. The curriculum is challenging and there are many fun student-run events! I love the opportunities that are offered here and I think that the school has really helped me grow as a person with all the hard work we have to do and also the mandatory activities outside of the classroom.
Read 285 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
647 Students
12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Walter Payton College Prep
Chicago Public Schools, IL
9-12
351 reviews
#3 Best Magnet High Schools in America
Parent: WPCP being a CPS Selective Enrollment School, your teen must live in Chicago.
We weren't sure we'd like the system of several classes one day, the rest the next; but they really get to dig in to a subject this way. Once every 2 weeks is "seminar day" - interesting things for the half-day, from pet shelter volunteering to judo, a local nature preserve to films.
Top-notch sci teachers, esp "Ms. Fig". 1 Lit teacher w/chip on her shoulder. Ms. Hudson is fab, for college prep/gen support; we love the comfort dog.
Sports: many choices, NO AstroTurf.
Theatre can't be beat, 2 productions/yr.
Tutoring run by members of the NHS.
8am's tough for teens, if later could = more sleep!
Read 351 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,073 Students
17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Bergen County Academies
Public School
Hackensack, NJ
9-12
474 reviews
#4 Best Magnet High Schools in America
Freshman: I loved the culture here. It's so easy to make friends! I thought I might have a tough time, but I already had so many on the first day of school. Also, the staff are so supportive. They always push you to do your best and your happiness and safety are their number one concerns. Plus, the opportunities here are endless! Research is so beneficial to have on a college transcript and there are so many types of research one can do. My favorite part about this school are the free periods that are built into my schedule. It's so nice to have a break during the stressful school day.
Read 474 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,098 Students
12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science
Public School
Columbus, MS
11-12
150 reviews
#5 Best Magnet High Schools in America
Senior: MSMS is such an amazing school. My first year at this school was pretty good. I will admit, this school is NOT for everyone, and even still, you need to do a little adjusting. Upcoming juniors: take advance of every opportunity and stay focused on your work. I know the first semester will seem terrible (or maybe not) but it gets better. The teachers and staff work so hard to make sure we all succeed. My peers are so intelligent and creative; it's really mindblowing. This school is just really good!
Read 150 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
234 Students
11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Maggie Walker Governor's School
Public School
Richmond, VA
9-12
89 reviews
#6 Best Magnet High Schools in America
Senior: Over the course of the past four years, I have found that Maggie Walker is most definitely a make-your-own-experience kind of school, but regardless, its student end up very prepared for college. While it has an extremely competitive environment and poor mental health, your general experience at MW are defined by the classes, clubs, and people you choose to surround yourself with. MW has hundreds of clubs, from our acapella group Deadbeats to dance teams to our many competitive academic teams like Model UN and Debate, so every student can be sure to find a club that interests them. Compared to most other local schools, MW has a much larger array of classes with classes like Arabic and VCU Web Design. Ultimately, I would never trade my experience at MW. I have found that each class is its own tight-knit community of 180 students, which is something you can find at no other school. This school provides many incomparable opportunities, so if you get in, I encourage you to join us!
Read 89 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
746 Students
15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Massachusetts Academy of Math & Science
Public School
Worcester, MA
11-12
62 reviews
#7 Best Magnet High Schools in America
Senior: I absolutely loved MAMS! The teachers were kind, but there was a lot of work. Ultimately, I think that MAMS brought out the potential in me as I was motivated to work harder from friends and teachers and stop doing the minimum to get by as I had done for my sending school. Overall, great experience 10/10 would recommend!
Read 62 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
96 Students
16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Northside College Preparatory High School
Chicago Public Schools, IL
9-12
552 reviews
#8 Best Magnet High Schools in America
Senior: I am very lucky to attend Northside College Prep. Starting high school was a difficult transition- I had attended the same elementary school my entire life, so I had zero experience starting at a new school. However, I was lucky enough to find my niche. I joined the cross country team, and it was the best decision I could have made. I started the school year knowing people, which made the transition easier, and I found a hobby that I am passionate about. The best part about Northside is that it has a smaller community for everyone. I have found my place on the cross country and track teams; in the journalism class; and in the environmental club. There are places for everyone! From anime club, to the basketball team, to theater programs, Northside offers opportunities for everyone. Like any other school, Northside has its fair share of issues, but it provides countless opportunities for anything you might be interested in.
Read 552 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,061 Students
18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Union County Magnet High School
Public School
Scotch Plains, NJ
9-12
128 reviews
#9 Best Magnet High Schools in America
Junior: Union County Magnet High School is an excellent school! The student community feels like family and the teachers are available to their students often. It’s a very safe environment both physically and emotionally. There are no sports through Magnet, but students can participate in the programs of their “sending districts”, which is nice. It would be great if they fixed the sinks in the bathrooms, but other than that there isn’t much to complain about.
Read 128 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
304 Students
22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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School of Science & Engineering
Dallas Independent School District, TX
9-12
189 reviews
#10 Best Magnet High Schools in America
Senior: Although I have mixed feelings about the school's overall curriculum, I have been grateful for many of the teachers who have taught here. This school heavily pushes STEM classes, mostly math, and leaves little room for electives until probably around junior or senior year. However, the teachers here (sometimes) recognize what we have to deal with and will encourage us to work our way through it. If stress is something you're trying to avoid, this is not the place for you! My hope is that the toughest times at SEM will be proof enough that we can handle the worst of college. I am also very grateful for all the help we got during the college admissions process - it's probably among the best in DISD. If I could change anything, it would be improving the quantity and quality of non-STEM classes students are allowed to take.
Read 189 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
428 Students
19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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School for the Talented & Gifted
Dallas Independent School District, TX
9-12
153 reviews
#11 Best Magnet High Schools in America
Sophomore: I am currently a sophomore at the School for the Talented and Gifted, and I have not regretted choosing to come to this school. TAG not only has a challenging curriculum, but the environment is also welcoming. The faculty tale the time to get to know us as students, are dedicated to their jobs, and actually pay attention to how the feedback of the students. The school has created its own culture over the years where everyone is free to express their opinion, and TAG genuinely encourages you to show who you are as a person. I love my experience so far, and I know I'm receiving a great education!
Read 153 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
276 Students
17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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The Davidson Academy
Online School
Reno, NV
6-12
59 reviews
#12 Best Magnet High Schools in America
Middle School Student: The administration and teachers have a lack of communication and many problems that end up effecting the students. College classes are easily accessible. The school has many security things. Sadly, there are 0 sports teams.
Read 59 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
160 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
Chicago Public Schools, IL
7-12
1,045 reviews
#13 Best Magnet High Schools in America
Sophomore: Choosing Whitney Young was a very difficult decision for me, as I have to commute an hour by train to get there. However, it is definitely worth it because of the wonderful environment I am a part of. There are so many talented students and genuine, amazing teachers that want to help you succeed in every way. This school is so diverse which is also one of the reasons why it’s so great. Students have the opportunity to create bonds with people outside of their race and ethnicity. It creates an open-minded environment where everyone has a place. Whitney Young not only has a strong athletic department, but a talented arts program. This includes theater, dance, choir, band, and anything else you can imagine. This school does such a good job at preparing its students for college. Overall, Whitney Young is an amazing school and I’m pretty sure all of the students would agree!
Read 1,045 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
2,153 Students
19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Liberal Arts & Science Academy
Austin Independent School District, TX
9-12
431 reviews
#14 Best Magnet High Schools in America
Freshman: Liberal Arts and Science Academy is a very good school for people who know how to properly organize themselves. Obviously, the homework amount will be abundant, but I feel that it is worth it. Highschool will definitely be a struggle, but you will 100% be more ready for college than most people. To succeed, you will need very good time management, and you will need to put the extra hours whenever you have extra free time. There are a lot of interesting, fun people there, so making friends will be easy. It is located in East Austin, but it is currently moving to a new facility. The school is more STEM involved (as it ranked #6 in the U.S for STEM schools), and there are 100s of clubs. This concludes my ratings of LASA High School. Thank You!
Read 431 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,186 Students
17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Tesla STEM High School
Lake Washington School District, WA
9-12
81 reviews
#15 Best Magnet High Schools in America
Senior: Nikola Tesla STEM High School is not just a school for self-described "geeks and nerds". There have been plenty of accusations of the school being a factory to generate Microsoft employees, but the stellar English and History departments turn students towards liberal arts degrees at prestigious colleges every year. Going to this school demands an interest in STEM. Science especially - starting sophomore year, there's a heavy emphasis on the scientific method.

STEM's weakness comes in the form of it's extracurriculars. The ASB is disorganized at best, chaotic at worst. I say this from the perspective of running a club that is relatively prominent at other schools and typically granted plenty of money - receiving funding is nearly impossible. The process to do so is difficult and convoluted. Like all schools, getting voted into ASB is a popularity contest, so each year we're dependent on the competency of the most popular students, which isn't always reliable.
Read 81 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
605 Students
24:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Poolesville High School
Montgomery County Public Schools, MD
9-12
292 reviews
#16 Best Magnet High Schools in America
Senior: I love poolesville high school for many reasons. Our diverse and rigorous magnet programs complemented with our large variety of clubs and sports make a fantastic educational experience. Our school spirit is unwavering and the student body loves to get involved whether it is with Student Government Association events such as Spirit Day or normal athletic games such as our football or soccer games. Though our school may not feel too segregated by grade level, it can seem segregated by magnet programs which is a shame and hopefully might be something that will change in the future. And of course, a few renovations to some dilapidated parts to our school would be appreciated!
Read 292 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,183 Students
18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Bergen County Technical High School - Teterboro
Public School
Teterboro, NJ
9-12
217 reviews
#17 Best Magnet High Schools in America
Senior: Bergen Tech Teterboro is really a wonderful school in so many ways! It has offered me so many different opportunities to further my academic career as well as many different ways to pursue my passions. One thing I love about our school is that since we're a technical school we have majors, Digital Media for the win, we have the chance to not only learn skills that we would have to wait for college to learn, but we also have the opportunity to work with industry standard equipment and materials that prepare us for entry into the workforce. Our senior internship program also allows the seniors another opportunity to intern and get real work experience in professional settings as high school seniors!
Read 217 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
665 Students
10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Academy for Allied Health Science
Public School
Scotch Plains, NJ
9-12
108 reviews
#18 Best Magnet High Schools in America
Senior: Allied Health is a great place to go to high school. The classes are small, and you get the best academic rigor you can get. I learned many useful skills in medicine and health, and my study skills and leadership have strengthened tremendously. Most of the specialized allied health classes are in dual enrollment with Rutgers university, so students are able to earn credits each year after they pass the test. The teachers and counselors give excellent support in learning, test prep, and applying to college. However, the curriculum can be a little constricting; I only had one elective junior year and three for senior year. I also wish there were more classes in the arts, which there are very few. Also, there are no sports teams, so students play for their town's high school. Overall, I had an amazing experience at Allied, and I would recomend middle schoolers to start looking into UCVTS if they are interested in a unique, challening high school experience.
Read 108 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
297 Students
22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Jones College Prep High School
Chicago Public Schools, IL
9-12
639 reviews
#19 Best Magnet High Schools in America
Senior: Jones is a very good high school. It's academically challenging while still providing necessary arts. It has great opportunities for enhancing learning! It's centered in downtown Chicago so the scenery, as well as the surrounding places, is nice. Though not everything is as great as it seems, it's still a great school overall. The teachers are very supportive and you get to meet people from all over Chicago!
Read 639 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,861 Students
18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Academy for Information Technology
Public School
Scotch Plains, NJ
9-12
112 reviews
#20 Best Magnet High Schools in America
Parent: As a County magnet school, AIT attracts students who are eager to learn about computer science and business. The campus structure and expectations make this high school more like a college setting. As a parent I am proud that my children enjoy learning, and happy that they have found a public high school that will make them rise to meet challenges. The academic program is not easy. There is a lot of work involved in meeting the challenge of this program, but it is worth the effort!
Read 112 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
300 Students
21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Julia R. Masterman Secondary School
Philadelphia City School District, PA
5-12
228 reviews
#21 Best Magnet High Schools in America
Freshman: I've been in Masterman since fifth grade and I can surely say that this school will really push you to be successful. Many of the teachers don't stress kids with amounts of useless homework and only give when necessary. Although the school is so small, you get to know and create strong bonds with the teachers and staff. It really does make you feel connected with everyone and one big family! I wished there was more diversity though because it's mostly a lot of white and asian kids than other races. I love the placement of the school since it's right above center city and close to a bunch of places to eat and the subway. I definitely recommend your kids coming here!
Read 228 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,197 Students
22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School
Jersey City School District, NJ
9-12
249 reviews
#22 Best Magnet High Schools in America
Freshman: I like the many selections of courses, the amount of APs and the good teachers that help the students with whatever they need. The school is a very good environment and it is recommended that you attend this school because it is a public school, meaning its free. Also the teams that the school offers is of a vast variety, such as swimming, baseball, track and field, basketball, volleyball, and many more!
Read 249 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
683 Students
16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School
Montgomery County Schools, AL
9-12
192 reviews
#23 Best Magnet High Schools in America
Alum: LAMP gave many opportunities that I would have never had at any other high school. They focused on academics and leadership development. The coursework is rigorous; however, my first few years of college have been a breeze. All of my teachers were amazing and I still have contact with some of them to this day. The lifetime relationships that I created at LAMP will be cherished forever. LAMP is amazing! Go Tigers!
Read 192 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
507 Students
14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Academic Magnet High School
Charleston County School District, SC
9-12
236 reviews
#24 Best Magnet High Schools in America
Junior: Academic Magnet High School is currently ranked number one in the nation for academics and, attending this prestigious school is a great experience for me. Although I have had to dedicate a large portion of my time to maintaining my academics, AMHS also provides a myriad of clubs, sports, and events that students such as myself enjoy attending and participating in. The teachers at this school are caring and value the students' learning. Overall, the climate of the school is very warm and welcoming, with little to no student tension and bullying, making for a comfortable environment for students to grow in.
Read 236 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
664 Students
17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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DuPont Manual High School
Jefferson County Public Schools, KY
9-12
683 reviews
#25 Best Magnet High Schools in America
Sophomore: The first and foremost thing to say about duPont Manual is that students who go here truly care about their education. As a student, you are surrounded by those who are committed to their studies, to changing the world, and excelling to their full potential. Fights and disciplinary issues are practically non-existent. Five magnets present challenging curriculum for each individual, and are award winning in multiple areas. The Journalism program is well known nationwide, the performing arts school (YPAS) is one of a kind, and the diversity between students makes for a unique experience. You're not only college ready by the time you leave, you're ready for life.
Read 683 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,917 Students
18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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1 of 35

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology

Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy

Walter Payton College Prep

Bergen County Academies

The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science

Maggie Walker Governor's School

Massachusetts Academy of Math & Science

Northside College Preparatory High School

Union County Magnet High School

School of Science & Engineering

School for the Talented & Gifted

The Davidson Academy

Whitney M. Young Magnet High School

Liberal Arts & Science Academy

Tesla STEM High School

Poolesville High School

Bergen County Technical High School - Teterboro

Academy for Allied Health Science

Jones College Prep High School

Academy for Information Technology

Julia R. Masterman Secondary School

Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School

Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School

Academic Magnet High School

DuPont Manual High School