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2023 Best Public High Schools in the Los Angeles Area

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    FAQs

    How many public high schools are in the Los Angeles Area?
    There are 822 public high schools in the Los Angeles Area. Check out their Niche profiles to find a school that best suits the needs of you and your child!

    Best Public High Schools in LA

    If you’re nervous about finding the best public high schools in LA, you’re not alone. Los Angeles can be overwhelming to long-time natives of the city, let alone newcomers. The sprawling metropolis is the second biggest city in the United States, and, unlike New York City, Los Angeles is spread out over a massive territory.

    LA is also the heart of Los Angeles County, the nation's most populous county. Its residents frequently endure long commutes made worse by traffic. But LA also has cultural diversity, a thriving arts scene, and plenty of sunshine.

    It is also home to some truly excellent public schools. The trick lies in knowing how and where to find them.

    Making the Move to Los Angeles County Public Schools

    You’ve considered the differences between public and private schools and have made your decision. It’s a public high school for you. So what next?

    Residents will tell you that LA often feels like a collection of tiny cities rather than a single big one — even more so when you factor in neighbors that are also considered part of LA. In total, there are more than 100 school districts in the Los Angeles area.

    Pick your community carefully as you consider schools and what matters most to you, such as job location and cost.

    Finding Neighborhoods With the Best Public High Schools in LA

    It’s not just about finding a good school district. You want to choose an exceptional high school.

    The feat becomes more challenging when you consider the sheer size of the largest school districts in LA. The Los Angeles Unified School District is the second-largest in the nation, with almost half a million enrolled students and 785 schools.

    The best high schools tend to be located outside of the LA Unified District, but central LA does have a couple of strong magnet schools, such as the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies and Downtown Magnets High School.

    In general, you’ll fare better in neighborhoods along the coast and to the north and south of Los Angeles. All of the following have multiple high schools that earn an A+ grade from Niche:

    • Cerritos
    • Irvine
    • Palos Verdes
    • Placentia-Yorba Linda
    • San Juan Capistrano
    • Santa Clarita
    • Thousand Oaks
    • Torrance
    • Walnut Valley

    Many smaller districts also have an A+ high school.

    Evaluating LA High Schools

    You’ll encounter an incredibly diverse student body at an LA public high school. The best ones make good use of the city’s opportunities, and LA attracts all kinds of people — including some exceptional teachers.

    As is often the case in larger school systems, your experience will largely be what you make it. At Niche, we grade high schools based on a number of criteria. We look at:

    • Academics (60% of overall grade)
    • Culture and diversity (10%)
    • Parent/student surveys (10%)
    • Teachers (10%)
    • Clubs and activities (2.5%)
    • Health and safety (2.5%)
    • Resources and facilities (2.5%)
    • Athletics (2.5%)

    You can filter the best public high schools according to your own priorities or use our Schools Near You tool to locate nearby institutions.

    Once you’ve made your choice and enrolled, it’s up to you and your family to seize the opportunities that come from living and learning in one of America's most vibrant cities.