2018 Best Public High Schools in America

23,590 results

Walter Payton College Prep
Chicago Public Schools, IL
9-12
285
1 Best Public High Schools in America
Senior: Walter Payton College Prep is a fantastic school with great academic, sports and extracurricular programs. Anyone who gets in would be very lucky to attend. It is a great school to foster community and grow as a person regardless of your background or identity. Being a Grizzly is awesome!
Read 285 Reviews
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899 Students
17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Northside College Preparatory High School
Chicago Public Schools, IL
9-12
473
2 Best Public High Schools in America
Sophomore: Northside is an interesting school. It is one of Top Schools in the US, which makes it infamous for it being academically challenging and difficult. Tales of despair and struggling make every 8th grader scared to join this small school. However when I entered it I was smacked with the truth, it is a visually intriguing school. The shape is very strange and the inside is even stranger, with art hanging everywhere and colors splashed on every wall. But the best part is the people; the students, teachers, and staff are amazing people! They are open with whatever you believe in and everyone shares their interests and make stereotypical high schools (High School Musical, Mean Girls, the whole gag) look like lies. It is an awesome school, and I'm glad that I am academically challenged for I get to meet people who changed my life.
Read 473 Reviews
A+
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1,047 Students
17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Adlai E. Stevenson High School
Public School
Lincolnshire, IL
9-12
955
3 Best Public High Schools in America
Senior: Coming from a graduating eighth grade class of 58 students, the culture shock was definitely humbling when arriving at Stevenson with its student body of 4000 students. My peers broadened my horizons everyday not only through their diverse cultures and backgrounds but also in the way they encountered and dealt with problems. While my classes were definitely a step-up from my middle school rigor, Stevenson's teachers were not only dedicated to their subject but passionate for helping their students as well. I am grateful for the environment that I found in Stevenson, which allowed me to pursue the unexplored and the unchartered within the context of the familiar.
Read 955 Reviews
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3,839 Students
14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology
Fairfax County Public Schools, VA
9-12
426
4 Best Public High Schools in America
Freshman: Very vigorous workload, and it's difficult to achieve straight-As. The teachers are average, as well. Nonetheless, the students are incredibly down-to-earth and amazing! There's something about staying up till 2am with your peers that makes the entire school closely bonded. You'll have a high school experience like no other.
Read 426 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,820 Students
16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Illinois Mathematics & Science Academy
Public School
Aurora, IL
10-12
210
5 Best Public High Schools in America
Junior: I love IMSA! There is a great balance of academic and social opportunities. The people that you meet and the opportunities/experience you will gain is priceless Personally, I feel like the academic support for minorities could definitely be stronger, nevertheless it's still a great institution.
Read 210 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
650 Students
12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Young Magnet High School
Chicago Public Schools, IL
7-12
885
6 Best Public High Schools in America
Sophomore: I am a sophomore who has been attending Whitney Young for 4 years now and I truly believe it is the best school in the city of Chicago. It offers a wide range of challenging courses for students with all different types of interests. The principal Dr. Joyce Kenner strives to give all students the best high school experience possible and definitely succeeds. The diverse environment is very welcoming and fun. The students are very involved in the school community while managing to focus on academics and sports/extra-curricular activities (with the help of our fellow teachers). Speaking of sports, we have had 12 city championships in the past 2 years, and 9 in 2014! The school could use a few upgrades, but that's really up to the city (and we already get a ton of funding since we're a selective enrollment school). Overall, Whitney Young is a great high school and I encourage all prospective high school students in Chicago to apply.
Read 885 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
2,205 Students
19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Stuyvesant High School
New York City Geographic District No. 2, NY
9-12
803
7 Best Public High Schools in America
Alum: Yes, Stuyvesant definitely does have a reputation of being competitive and while ther are those students who are cut-throat, throughout my time there, I have also met many kind-hearted and genuine students who are not only ambitious, driven, and hard-working, but are also extremely interested in helping out their fellow classmates. Studnets are not only passionate about academics but about a variety of sports, and other activities as well which can be showcased by our annual SING! performance. Becuase of the school's location, Stuyvesant students become independent and learn more than just academics by attending the school.
Read 803 Reviews
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3,297 Students
21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science
Public School
Columbus, MS
11-12
81
8 Best Public High Schools in America
Senior: I love MSMS! It challenges me academically and physically. I never acknowledged how much potential I had before MSMS, and the school has taught me so much about self-ambition and self-expression. I would only change the facilities we work in because they are a little run down. Yet, since the high school is on the campus of a historic university, I understand the predicament.
Read 81 Reviews
A+
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245 Students
11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Staten Island Technical High School
New York City Geographic District No. 31, NY
9-12
528
9 Best Public High Schools in America
Alum: A very tight knit high school with high national standing, my high school is top ranked in academics, studies and college preparedness. We have a nationally recognized Robotics program. The school's small size is perfect and allows all student to focus and help each other. The school cafeteria conversations range from high school games to national science and possible solutions to space and science mysteries and issues. I love my high school and would recommend everyone to try to make it in!
Read 528 Reviews
A+
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1,248 Students
21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science & Technology
Gwinnett County Public Schools, GA
9-12
346
10 Best Public High Schools in America
Junior: GSMST is a very diverse and open-minded. The students and teachers here are very accepting of all races, religions, sexualities, and genders. Prejudice is not tolerated at all. GSMST is also a very rigorous school. Graduation requirements include: successfully completing a science fair project, a junior fellowship experience (semester-long internship), and a senior capstone experience (year-long internship), as well as having four elective units including two foreign language, five science units including chemistry, physics, and AP biology, four math units including AP calculus, four social studies units including AP macro- and micro- economics, and four language arts units including AP lang or lit. This is a hard school, but the perfect one for hardworking students, and it really prepares students for college.
Read 346 Reviews
A+
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976 Students
17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Bergen County Academies
Public School
Hackensack, NJ
9-12
394
11 Best Public High Schools in America
Sophomore: Everyone you talk to about this school is gonna say it is a struggle. It makes or breaks students. All I can really say is that everyone here is super friendly teachers and students alike. Both the teachers and students are all friendly and nice enough to become great friends for a lifetime. A tip for incoming students is to get connected with teachers fast. The more connected you are to your teachers, the better you will be off.
Read 394 Reviews
A+
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1,044 Students
11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Liberal Arts & Science Academy
Austin Independent School District, TX
9-12
353
12 Best Public High Schools in America
Senior: This school is very rigorous. With this comes both an immaculate education but also a deteriorated mental state. Despite it's stressful environment, I am very grateful to learn what I have learned. The people there are all very unique and wonderful and the teachers are brilliant and truly care about your education. I would like to see some administration changes as far as student accommodations and respect.
Read 353 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,002 Students
16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Bronx High School of Science
New York City Geographic District No. 10, NY
9-12
708
13 Best Public High Schools in America
Junior: I absolutely love my school! The workload is demanding and engaging, and the extracurriculars are beyond compare. It's a challenge but the community and teachers help me at every turn! Everyone here has something about which they're passionate about, and you have so many opportunities to find your own passion. We are the only high school in NYC with our own campus, and it's really an added bonus. We have a very open and accepting community, and there are so many resources available to me. I've learned so much about time management and acquired skills that I will use in college and beyond.
Read 708 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
3,019 Students
21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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BASIS Scottsdale
Public School
Scottsdale, AZ
5-12
56
14 Best Public High Schools in America
Senior: BASIS Scottsdale prepared me to enter college as a freshman ready to take on the challenges of a rigorous curriculum. Its close-knit, diverse student body allowed me to experience new ideas and interests everyday. The AP heavy curriculum helped me take advanced classes and further my knowledge. I loved BASIS and would not change much about my schooling!
Read 56 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
754 Students
11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Charter School of Wilmington
Public School
Wilmington, DE
9-12
219
15 Best Public High Schools in America
Senior: Charter overall is a wonderful school. I love how the people are all competitive and at the same level. The teachers are great and everyone has your best interest's at heart. There is a nice balance between academics, extracurricular activities, sports, and outside-school events such as Homecoming and Prom. However, I do wish that Charter offered more college preparation. My English class never worked on our Common App essay and we hardly ever were updated regarding news and deadlines from the counselors and administration.
Read 219 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
972 Students
4:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Bergen County Technical High School - Teterboro
Public School
Teterboro, NJ
9-12
154
16 Best Public High Schools in America
Junior: I am currently a junior at Bergen Tech. Bergen Tech is a great school that prepares you for college. It is a stressful amount of work because of its college level courses, but it definitely helped me become a better person academically. The bt teachers are very helpful and easy to communicate with as well as the students. The only thing I could complain about it how competitive everyone is and how conscious everyone is about their grades. Other than that bt is a great school!
Read 154 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
665 Students
10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics & Humanities
Public School
Muncie, IN
11-12
257
17 Best Public High Schools in America
Senior: Indiana Academy does an excellent job of preparing its students for higher education. A rigorous curriculum, highly qualified faculty, and diverse student body all contribute to an outstanding academic experience. Many AP and dual credit courses are available to students, and these courses are arguably more difficult than even their Ball State equivalents–that is, Academy students are studying at a higher level them some college students. Additionally, most of Academy instructors have either a master's or doctorate degree, and they sincerely care about the success of every one of their students. Finally, students come all over Indiana, bringing with them unique backgrounds, identities, and worldviews. I have had a wonderful two years here, and I am proud to graduate from such an esteemed institution.
Read 257 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
307 Students
9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Henry M. Gunn High School
Palo Alto Unified School District, CA
9-12
236
18 Best Public High Schools in America
Senior: Most teachers are friendly and pretty lenient about tardies and absences (students still do well in school because they're self-motivated). Some teachers are awful, though.
The administration is okay, although they've made some unpopular decisions. Last year, they didn't follow the AP testing set-up guidlines, prompting college board to cancel the scores of over 400 students for 11 tests. Many of these students (including me) retook the tests to get AP credit. They've also taken a few months to decided whether or not to report students' weighted GPAs on transcripts (which I think is an easy decision: report them to level the playing field for college applications). I know that some of the admins have good intentions (lower student stress to preserve mental health), but they have a problem with listening to the students' opinions, which I think is a big problem because most of their decisions directly affect us.
Read 236 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,897 Students
17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Canyon Crest Academy
San Dieguito Union High School District, CA
9-12
430
19 Best Public High Schools in America
High School Senior: CCA has been an incredible school to attend for these past 4 years of high school. I have been able to get involved with awesome school activities (Like the Improv Team: Comedy Sportz), attend school sponsored events that have helped bond my Senior Class, and have met incredible people who will remain close friends even after high school. I wouldn't change my high school experience for the world. CCA is unique for millions of reasons, but I think a primary reason is simply the fun culture on campus. Students and teachers work together to make school fun and engaging and our incredible staff and administrators all are invested in making the campus community the best it can be. For example, on our principal's birthday last year, ASB hired a mariachi band to follow him around campus for the day! It was a fun and heartwarming day for everyone on campus.
Read 430 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,991 Students
25:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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New Trier Township High School
New Trier Township High School District No. 203, IL
9-12
429
20 Best Public High Schools in America
Alum: One of the top public high schools in the nation. Provides excellent education as well and extracurricular activities. The school is located in an affluent neighborhood in Winnetka. There were about 4,000 students enrolled in the school. Many of the students are welcoming and friendly. Because it is a large school, you tend to develop close group of friends during school. It is difficult to get into the top tier of the class as many students have the resources to receive private tutoring to assist in their studies. Teachers are knowledgeable and competent. There are many opportunities to be involved in extracurricular activities ranging from sports, organizational clubs, school paper, drama/theater, music, volunteer work (ie Misericordia, Habitat for Humanity). Overall, I believe the education you receive at New Trier does correlate with it's status of top ranking public high school in Illinois.
Read 429 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
4,057 Students
11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Union County Magnet High School
Public School
Scotch Plains, NJ
9-12
108
21 Best Public High Schools in America
Senior: Culturally speaking, Magnet is a fairly competitive school: students tend to expect to get high grades and are distraught with low ones.
Though there are no sports at school, students can participate in sports at their home high school districts if they so choose, and the amount of extracurriculars on campus--from the successful FIRST Robotics team to the always-active Drama Club--are enough to keep everyone engaged.
Magnet, an engineering school, has classes specific to STEM majors that are not particularly useful outside of engineering disciplines; the likelihood of one using AutoCAD--computer software used for CAD--outside of an architectural occupation is unlikely, after all. For people interesting in engineering, it's a wonderful experience: the new Makerspace facilities opened up recently (a high-tech shop) and are open to all , and the new electives now available, such as Aerospace and Electrical, allow one to customize the experience to one's interests.
Read 108 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
290 Students
12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Massachusetts Academy of Math & Science
Public School
Worcester, MA
11-12
52
22 Best Public High Schools in America
Senior: Mass Academy offers a challenging academic environment that encourages teamwork and growth. While the class is small, there are still a wide variety of people to meet and learn from.
Read 52 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
97 Students
13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Maggie Walker Governor's School
Public School
Richmond, VA
9-12
21
23 Best Public High Schools in America
Sophomore: Depending on the teachers, this school can be extremely challenging and requires time-management and efficiency to succeed in its complex program. The workload is far from busy work, requiring a lot of time and effort, which is often extremely difficult for incoming students to handle.
Read 21 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
746 Students
15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Hinsdale Central High School
Hinsdale Township High School District No. 86, IL
9-12
278
24 Best Public High Schools in America
Senior: The school is great. It's in a wonderful location, everyone is extremely friendly and supportive. The quality of academics and athletics are both through the roof! There is every possible type of resource available and the school constantly gets improvements every year, in fact next year all students will get their own chromebooks! This school is everything and more of what a high school should offer, it is truly the best of the best. If you are thinking about sending your child there, all I have to say is: Expect Greatness.
Read 278 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
2,778 Students
15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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High Technology High School
Public School
Lincroft, NJ
9-12
69
25 Best Public High Schools in America
Alum: High Tech is a pre-engineering high school that focuses on STEM. The majority of the teachers here are fantastic but the administration leaves something to be desired. The principal is only concerned about test scores and keeping the school's ranking. He will only talk to a few students and ignores everybody else. About half of the students are very down to earth and will help you out if you're struggling in class but the other half are aggressively competitive and will cheat to get ahead.
Read 69 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
292 Students
13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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1 of 944

Walter Payton College Prep

Northside College Preparatory High School

Adlai E. Stevenson High School

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology

Illinois Mathematics & Science Academy

Young Magnet High School

Stuyvesant High School

The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science

Staten Island Technical High School

Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science & Technology

Bergen County Academies

Liberal Arts & Science Academy

Bronx High School of Science

BASIS Scottsdale

Charter School of Wilmington

Bergen County Technical High School - Teterboro

Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics & Humanities

Henry M. Gunn High School

Canyon Crest Academy

New Trier Township High School

Union County Magnet High School

Massachusetts Academy of Math & Science

Maggie Walker Governor's School

Hinsdale Central High School

High Technology High School