2024 Best Public High Schools in the Washington, D.C. Area

• Fairfax County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  582 reviews

Junior: I’ve been a student for 2 years now, and I’ve experienced good and, not so good. The general community at TJ is pretty great, most people are friendly and welcoming with, of course, a few exceptions. I’ve also had some AMAZING teachers, and some teachers I would prefer not to interact with. For a school that is so STEM focused, some of the STEM teachers just don’t seem to understand that not everyone learns the same way, or some people just won’t get it the first time. The expectations are HIGH, as everyone knows, but in reality, if you ask, some teachers will tell you that the average test scores for regular honors classes is about a B+ (this includes a bunch of As and a bunch of Fs). I don’t know much about AP and post-AP as I haven’t taken any of those yet though. Certain people will thrive at TJ, I personally am doing well academically as long as I take a portion of my time to study, but you wouldn’t really know until you try it out. But, overall, it’s an experience worth taking!... Read 582 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,902

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  350 reviews

Senior: Poolesville High School is a 3/4 magnet school with academically ambitious and intelligent individuals. During my experience there, I'm constantly challenged by our projects and curriculum, and have received a top quality education thanks to our hardworking teachers. I enjoy how small Poolesville, and especially my program (SMCS), is, because it fosters a tight-knit community of like-minded peers who want to succeed, but also want to help each other succeed. One thing I would like to see change is the maintenance of our school setting, where our building is old and unreliable, and the air is often poor due to badly-timed construction.... Read 350 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,272

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  262 reviews

Senior: I have found that over the past two years I have been at Whitman it is a great academic environment! Although it might be a bit competitive, staff and teachers really do try to give students the best secondary level education that MCPS has to offer. There are lots of options extracurriculars such as sports, theatre, co-ed, and more! Personally, I have been involved in Whitmans theatre department. It is a great way to try new things and meet so many new people since Whitman is a large school! I’m regards to a bad experience I have seen or experienced at Whitman was the Antisemetism hate speech that was found by students on campus. Hopefully one day students such as ourselves not just in Whitman but across the world can come to realize that no one deserves any kind of hate such as this.... Read 262 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,029

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  334 reviews

Junior: Quality of Education: The school has a strong academic program with highly qualified teachers, rigorous curriculum, and excellent resources to support student learning. Extracurricular Activities: The school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, such as sports teams, clubs, music and drama programs, and community service opportunities, which can enhance students' social and personal development. Diversity and Inclusion: The school has a diverse student body, staff, and faculty that fosters a culture of respect and inclusion for all students. Alumni Success: The school has a strong track record of alumni success, such as students who have gone on to prestigious universities, successful careers, and other notable achievements.... Read 334 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,212

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• District of Columbia Public Schools, DC•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  425 reviews

Senior: School Without Walls HS provides students with a rigorous education that will prepare them for college and beyond. While it is known as a humanities magnet school, the humanities are not emphasized more than science or math. Multiple AP courses are available to students and there is a good mix of electives. I have liked the support I received from my counselor when choosing courses or navigating high school in general, the support from teachers for challenging concepts, and support from administration on other matters. I also particularly enjoy the school culture in which most students are motivated to learn and friendly with one another, and the variety of clubs that build community and allow for leadership. The school pushes everyone to be independent in managing their time and taking responsibility for their actions which comes with privileges such as off-campus lunch. Wholly, I have had a positive experience in high school and would recommend the school to those ready to learn!... Read 425 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 597

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  547 reviews

Senior: Teachers are overall pretty good. Some teachers however do not prioritize students and do not commit the necessary time and effort to their lessons and office hours and students suffer as a result. Administration improved over the course of my time there, and became more involved in school events and addressed socio-political issues more in order to create a more positive environment for students. I think to solve the problem of inefficient or undedicated teaching, their should be more peer review between teachers and admin to verify that teachers are addressing students needs. Outside of the staff, the students create a very positive environment for each other through clubs, groups, sports, and advocacy. It is a mostly open minded school and a safe space for people from all walks of life. Outside of the people in general, the building is in serious need of renovation, as much has not been changed since its establishment in the 70s.... Read 547 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,943

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  526 reviews

Junior: People are very friendly and it’s got great academic classes. Has a wide variety of ways to get involved with the school and making friends is not hard. Overall the teachers are super nice. Counselors are very helpful. There are many clubs, organizations, fundraisers, sports events and other activities students can get involved in with the WJ community!... Read 526 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,870

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  593 reviews

Junior: It's a pretty good school. In a newcomer from Canada, and as a junior that just moved, my experience was pretty smooth. Yes, there were some bumps along the way, and not all the teachers and staff at this school are the best. Even so, I can say that there are still a lot of teachers that are very good at their job and you can tell that they enjoy being there. There are also a lot of extracurricular activities in this school that you can sign up for that are super fun! The only one I'd add is probably a badminton club :)... Read 593 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,334

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  457 reviews

Junior: The teachers are very 50/50 in terms of whether they are good or not. Either you get a very good teacher, or you get a bad teacher. The teachers for the advanced classes often vary, and I found myself grabbing out, especially during my Freshman (COVID) year as well. Many of the teachers won't offer support to students for the simplest of reasons. I was denied once because I "Submitted an assignment a few minutes before it was due" and the teacher said I "was lazy." Teacher toss-up aside, I loved the experience at this school. The students are very interconnected but also not connected. There are two middle schools that feed into the high school, so social life is a safety net if you don't want to expand. The school has some issues with college preparation. They don't chart what you should be doing for college (best possible grades, very rigorous cirriculum), which leaves the parents to hire private consultants. However the classes offered are wide and rigorous.... Read 457 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,289

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Loudoun County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.49 out of 5  41 reviews

Freshman: Independence High school is a new school and it is very large, offering many diverse clubs and activities. Any individual has the freedom to form their own club related to their passions. Indy Sports is also amazing, offering everything from football to swimming. Almost all teams have either been runner up or won state competitions. The academics offer a variety of different subjects, that appeal to any interest!... Read 41 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,825

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Loudoun County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  160 reviews

Sophomore: I love Rock Ridge High School because both the students and teachers are so welcoming. Everyone knows that high school is a scary environment, especially when shifting from the online school era. This made them more empathetic towards people and actually look out for their well-being. I also love how Rock Ridge High School prioritizes students' education as this is extremely beneficial when applying for colleges. All of the counselors work diligently to meet with every student so that they choose the right courses for them for whichever career pathway they are planning to go on. Before high school, I hated when people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up because I had no idea what profession I was interested in pursuing my entire life. Because of the amazing teachers and counselors at Rock Ridge High School, I now know what career I want to pursue and I am so grateful for that!... Read 160 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,394

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Loudoun County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  112 reviews

Senior: I will rate my overall experience at Riverside High School an overall 4/5 stars. As a senior this year, I have attended Riverside since my freshman year. I have fully enjoyed my experience and some of my favorite parts include the spirit, community, sports and teachers. Through all 4 years of my time there, I have developed core relationships with my teachers wanting me to become successful outside of school and in school. This also relates to the community built here, when "being a ram" is something to be proud of. Spirit and sports are a huge part of RIverside and something I enjoy participating in and watching! I have been a football manager and love the friends and spirit we have built within the school. Something that did not make my experience 5/5 stars was not having a lot of events my senior year that were focused on creating memories my senior year, and I am hoping this will be resolved as we get further from the COVID crisis. Overall I have enjoyed my time at Riverside!... Read 112 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,819

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Arlington Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  577 reviews

Junior: I really like Washington-Liberty because it is such an inclusive school. Students of many different race, ethnicities, religions, etc can all find ways to be involved in this school. There are many clubs and programs that Washington-Liberty offers where students can actively participate in. If you're struggling in school, teachers at Washington-Liberty will help support you all the way through. That's also one of the good things about the school. There are many teachers and mentors (possibly students), who are there to guide you if you ever need any kind of support. Everyone is super nice and respectful and would be glad to help in any way they can!... Read 577 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,549

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Loudoun County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  232 reviews

Junior: Throughout my couple years attending John Champe, I felt that most administrators & teachers are very welcoming and understanding. The student body and clubs are also very diverse. The administrators have shown how students' opinions are respected as they listen to feedback and try to incorporate changes. They urge us to participate in school events and to be the best version of ourselves. One thing I'm sure every student in this school really appreciates is Recharge, a 10 minute break after the first block that allows the student to relax. However, I would like to see changes in the teaching methods for some teachers. Many of my friends find it difficult to learn in a class when the teacher lectures the whole time. There are also a few teachers that treat some students better than others, and many of my peers find it unfair. The change I would like to see the most is teachers using a better teaching method to allow students to understand materials more easily in a fairer environment.... Read 232 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,744

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  780 reviews

Junior: I am finding that I really enjoy Montgomery Blair. Keep in mind that I am in the CAP program so most of this review with be around/about that aspect. While I was certainly initially nervous, MBHS and my program is an insanely welcoming community. I’ve made more friends than I ever have before (being with 30 kids for half your day will do that to you!) and the teachers are quite literally always there to help. Teachers are incredibly flexible, and seem to actually care about the level of education their students are receiving. Further, through my program my writing and reading comprehension skills have wildly increased and I actually look forwards to going to school. I’ve discovered things I enjoy that were not previously known to me through classes like AP Government and AP Computer Science (both of which I highly recommend!) Overall, if you are considering attending MBHS, I would say go for it!... Read 780 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,176

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Fairfax County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  508 reviews

Junior: The school has been recently redone, so the interior and exterior are very new and modern. The teacher and counselor support through personal as well as academic matters is also an important aspect of Oakton. The worst part about Oakton is the competitive culture. Students overload themselves with APs and take all of the hardest classes just feel a little less like they're failing compared to everyone else at the school. Everyone always seems to be trying to one-up each other, which, in a way, is good because it causes people to strive to be their best, but there is a limit. When it becomes excessive, it stops making students better and begins tearing apart their self-esteem and collectiveness. It can be stress-inducing. Personally, I'm competitive, so most of the time, i like constantly having to improve myself to match my peers. Although there is stress from competition, the opportunities provided at Oakton are worth it. The diversity in classes and clubs offered is amazing.... Read 508 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,635

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  632 reviews

Senior: It has excellent teachers and faculty staff! The visual arts program, the music programs, and counsellors specifically are all fantastic. The teachers are knowledgeable, helpful, and very experienced, as well as easy to talk to. Quarantine was difficult for every school, and there were some bumps here and there, but it was always known that teachers and counsellors were frequently available if you needed any help. Obviously dealing with loud and messy teenagers can be difficult and frustrating (the hallways can get a bit crowded, and there are some particularly rowdy students), but not any more or less than any other high school. All in all, I really enjoyed going to Northwest, and even though I didn't get a full high school experience (thanks COVID), I'm still gonna miss it after graduating this year.... Read 632 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,519

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Fairfax County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  362 reviews

Alum: I moved here for my senior year to get my GPA up and increase my chances to get into more prestigious universities. I had worked my absolute hardest during the 2022-2023 school year and graduated with a 4.13 GPA, after being a 3.7 GPA student at my old high school. I also earned an advanced studies diploma with all of the seals my school district offered. After my senior year, my only regret was that I didn't move to Virginia and attend McLean High School sooner! On the first day of school, I was embraced as a part of the student body, and by the end of the year, I made unbreakable bonds with both teachers and students; the memories are irreplaceable. The teachers genuinely care; shoutout to Ms. Caponetti! She is truly the most amazing teacher, prepares her students to be the best version of themselves in the present, and sets them up for university. The curriculum is rigorous but easily adaptable. Some days I thought I couldn't succeed, but the teachers encourage growth.... Read 362 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,365

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Washington, DC•

• Public School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  36 reviews

Freshman: BASIS is very academics focused and although it can be overwhelming at times, it has helped me develop time management skills and taught me how to allocate my time effectively. At BASIS, I have developed into someone who can focus on long term goals and make decisions to better prepare myself for colleges. BASIS offers lots of AP classes, which is a huge advantage in allowing me to explore and find out what I might be interested in studying in college. Despite the vigorous classes, the actual school building is pretty small and since BASIS DC offers 5th-12th grade, at times I feel stuffed, dampening the environment at BASIS. I think BASIS should work on more effective communication because often information about things like when grade reports are going out differ from teacher to teacher. By making sure that accurate information is shared with everyone, the school can run more efficiently and students will have a better understanding of the things that are going on in school.... Read 36 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 650

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Arlington Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  344 reviews

Alum: Yorktown High School has some of the most supportive teachers you’ll ever meet if you can communicate effectively and build relationships. Each department has some strengths and weaknesses, with some teachers standing out more than others but it’s a matter of looking outside your own class to build a deeper understanding and develop a broader perspective. Counselors are always around to help and available almost whenever you need them. Although the environment is somewhat cliquey you can still manage to find some good people and make some great friends. You’ll meet a lot of different people and it helps you build an understanding of the kind of people you wanna surround yourself with.... Read 344 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,531

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Fairfax County Public Schools, VA•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  598 reviews

Junior: Lake Braddock is diverse with their classes and people. One of the best parts is that there are unique electives a student can choose, if you check out their course catalog. There’s a big range for classes to cater to student interests, with academy classes for the medical field (even dental practice), and offering more languages than the standard French, Spanish and German. Students, including me, choose to learn their home language and it’s really beneficial. There’s lots of different people here, which comes with how big the school is (~5000) but meeting many people is so fun. Mostly everyone is friendly, but there are cliques but honestly there’s so many different groups, you can find/make your own. The bad part is that you have less chance to stick out with your teachers or coaches for recs since there’s many students but that’s up to individuals to take the opportunity! This school is really good at offering opportunities whether in sports or clubs to get involved in leadership.... Read 598 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 4,368

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Washington Latin Public Charter Schools, DC•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  146 reviews

Alum: I loved my experience at Latin. The community is tight-knit, with great support from teachers. There were great extra curricular opportunities, from student-run clubs to award-winning sports teams. The college counseling was incredible, especially compared to experiences of heard of from people at other schools in the city. As an alum, I always get shocked reactions from people who learn that I studied Arabic and Latin at a public school! I'm extremely thankful for my time at this school. I feel very lucky to have attended.... Read 146 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 376

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Prince George's County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  250 reviews

Senior: Being at this school has broadened my experiences in many ways, both education and personal wise. The amazing teachers help every student understand and learn each subject in ways that are efficient. Simultaneously experiencing the college life has also been a meaningful part of growing up and maturing. Our counselors guide us through the high school/college transitions each year as they gradually get more challenging. Ultimately, this school has prepared me for college/university in many ways, and I have learned lessons that I will take with me after graduation and into the real world.... Read 250 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 498

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Fairfax County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  279 reviews

Senior: Langley has a strong reputation for academics, so do take advantage for what Langley has to offer and be prepared to study well and manage your time wisely. It can be easy to fall into burnout, so try to balance out your coursework with classes like the arts and clubs that you enjoy. Some AP course have become more challenging, AP Psychology in particular, so don't underestimate the rigor of the "easier" AP classes. There is also a variety of clubs offered at Langley so try out a bunch and stick with the few you enjoy doing. Maybe you can gain some leadership experience along the way! Clubs, sports, and the arts are all great ways to find new friends. Surround yourself with a nice group of friends who can motivate you and encourage you to be your best, not ones who are self-interested or toxic. Build relationships with teachers, if you can. They can be more friendly when you meet them one on one, so don't be afraid to ask questions or see them outside of class.... Read 279 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,049

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Loudoun County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  10 reviews

Senior: Lightridge has been a place in which I have felt free to make, create, and learn however I want. The administration has provided student's with unparalleled support to found and maintain organizations, competitions, and given me specifically a platform to achieve far beyond anything I have ever anticipated. I could not be more grateful for the time that I have spent here, and will look fondly upon the memories that I have made. Additionally, the school's environment is extraordinarily diverse and inclusive, with students of all backgrounds, incomes, identities, and ethnicities are exposed to a greater global culture. Having had this experience, I feel like I am better equipped as a global citizen to know and understand the world around me from a more informed and considerate perspective. Lightridge is the best thing that has happened to me, and I will surely miss it as I continue into college.... Read 10 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,800

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1