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2019 Best Public High Schools in OhioAbout this List

The 2019 Best Public High Schools ranking is based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Ranking factors include state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, and high school ratings. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

Best Schools
923 results

  1. Dublin Jerome High School

    • Dublin City School District, OH
    • 9-12
    • 188
    1 Best Public High Schools in Ohio

    Alum: I've recently graduated from Dublin Jerome along with the class of 2017, and being a part of the Celtic community has made a giant impact on me. Originally, I was to attend Coffman. Instead, my parents had me open-enrolled here. Yes, I was a bit distraught, but in the end, I'm glad I came here. I've met so many great and generous students, teachers, and administrators who have helped me all four years of my high school career. Even though I have graduated, this school was so great that it actually made me want to stay! It's a wonderful environment, and I know so many more great memories will be made with the incoming members of the Celtic community.
    Read 188 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,563 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  2. Solon High School

    • Solon City School District, OH
    • 8-12
    • 351
    2 Best Public High Schools in Ohio

    Alum: Great school! Teachers really prepare you well for exams and for college as well. The environment and city overall is very safe. Sports and extracurriculars are a big part of the school environment, and many students participate. Overall, the school is diverse and the student culture has a positive impact on the school. The workload helps prepare student for college. I found that upon entering college, the curriculum was not as difficult as I would have expected. The content was difficult, but keeping up with assignments and exams was not as challenging because I was used to a rigorous workload in high school.
    Read 351 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,693 Students
    • 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  3. Dublin Coffman High School

    • Dublin City School District, OH
    • 9-12
    • 253
    3 Best Public High Schools in Ohio

    Senior: Dublin Coffman is great! It's the best mix of good social, academic, and athletic experiences. They are all about the vision of the "Dublin difference" which can be bad and good. They'll have higher expectations than other schools/districts and will do anything to help you achieve your highest academic potential (except for hiring experienced teachers).
    Read 253 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,910 Students
    • 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  5. Walnut Hills High School

    • Cincinnati City School District, OH
    • 7-12
    • 427
    4 Best Public High Schools in Ohio

    Senior: The motto of my school is to rise to the highest-- and I definitely did through all the school offers me. I received free PSAT test prep, learned with amazing teachers, and took 11 AP courses! I am not even sure I would have gotten into my dream school, Northwestern without AP Capstone, a brand new AP course. I know I would not have chosen my major of Journalism if I hadn't joined our school's amazing newspaper staff.
    Read 427 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,778 Students
    • 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  6. William Mason High School

    • Mason City School District, OH
    • 9-12
    • 661
    5 Best Public High Schools in Ohio

    Senior: I loved going to William Mason High School. The environment was stimulating yet friendly in academics, sports, extracurriculars, or any other activities. As a student body, Mason is very encouraging and disciplined. We always strive to do better and make our school a happy place. One thing I would change about Mason would be the pressure that is placed on academics, especially within certain cultural groups. The students at Mason are held to a high academic standard which can be stressful and nerve-wracking for some students. While I encourage holding students to high standards, those standards should expand to sports, art, or any other extracurricular the student may excel at, rather than just academics. Other than that, Mason High School is a very encouraging, stimulating, energetic, and fun school that produces the best students, friends, and classmates.
    Read 661 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 3,529 Students
    • 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  7. Indian Hill High School

    • Indian Hill Exempted Village School District, OH
    • 9-12
    • 123
    6 Best Public High Schools in Ohio

    Senior: The Academics at the school are incredible and the student body is incredibly kind and respesctful. However, the school lacks strongly in diversity.
    Read 123 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 651 Students
    • 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  8. Sponsored

    Laurel School

    • Private School
    • Shaker Heights, OH
    • PK, K-12
    • 90

    Senior: I absolutely love Laurel. Between the teacher-student relationships, the classes, and the overall environment, I feel that Laurel is the best school I could possibly be at! The teachers love it when students meet with them; when you roam the hallways you are sure to see students meeting with teachers about an upcoming test or just to ask them a question. I love how the teachers available and willing to help.
    Laurel has the perfect class sizes. Each grade in the upper school consists of about 70 girls, and the classes will never have more than 18 kids.The small classes allow students to get close to their teacher, and the teacher to get close to their students.
    Overall, Laurel is an amazing place with a welcoming community. Everyone is so kind and friendly. I remembered when I toured Laurel, the girls were so excited to have me there. This is one of the biggest reasons why I chose Laurel.
    Read 90 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 645 Students
    • 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  9. Sycamore High School

    • Sycamore Community School District, OH
    • 9-12
    • 211
    7 Best Public High Schools in Ohio

    Junior: Sycamore High School prides itself on its diversity, and rightfully so. Differences are celebrated and cultures embraced. For example, just two weeks ago, the Jewish student union shared dances and delicacies with the entire school, along with clothing and music. Sycamore offers an open atmosphere where all are appreciated and cherished. The school district is also known for the span of opportunities available to the students, and how there is a place for everyone. Outside of school activities range from yoga club to a buffet eating club! Sport events can always count on the Ave Cave (cheer section) to support all teams till the very end. The most special characteristic is the students and their attitude towards school. Sycamore school district is a place filled with determined and wise students who will change the future for the better. Some of the brightest minds pass through these halls.
    Read 211 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,646 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  10. Bexley High School

    • Bexley City School District, OH
    • 9-12
    • 76
    8 Best Public High Schools in Ohio

    Junior: Bexley academically prepares students for college- the teachers are phenomenal, the courses are challenging, and all academic areas have a broad range of AP classes. The building is safe and beautiful, and the facilities are great for sports (big stadium, basketball court). Socially, it tends to lack in diversity and be cliquey- its small size lends itself to exclusivity. However, there are many nice people and you can make great friendships if you seek them out.
    Read 76 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 694 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  11. Olentangy Liberty High School

    • Olentangy Local School District, OH
    • 9-12
    • 216
    9 Best Public High Schools in Ohio

    Senior: Olentangy Liberty High School definitely exceeds academically. The students are incredibly intelligent, but they lack morality and empathy. Bullying is a big problem at this school especially because these kids are extremely spoiled living in a wealthy city like Powell. Although the students are a problem, the majority of the teachers are well qualified and work hard to help the students succeed. This school also works very hard to prepare students for college. Overall, I strongly recommend this school because of the academic advantage these students receive.
    Read 216 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,060 Students
    • 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  13. Wyoming High School

    • Wyoming City Schools, OH
    • 8-12
    • 108
    10 Best Public High Schools in Ohio

    Junior: I have been in the Wyoming Public School System all my life. The education I have gain has been priceless, but even more valuable to me from my experience in Wyoming are the extra-curriculars offered at the high school. From our various sports offered to our academic focused clubs, there is certainly a spot for everyone. Our Model United Nations Club has ranked in international conferences. Our Drama Department is known for beautiful productions. Our Academic team has had opportunities to compete nationally. Our sports teams have a pattern of playing hard and winning games. There is always a place for people of all kinds to excel. However that is one piece of conflict which has kept the ranked from 5 stars. Wyoming is very structured in social statuses. You are stuck in the stereotype of "nerds", "geeks", "jocks", "popular" and any other title you can be given which works to strip your individuality. Although it is often hard to escape these titles, good friends are not hard to find.
    Read 108 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 642 Students
    • 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  14. Madeira High School

    • Madeira City School District, OH
    • 9-12
    • 115
    11 Best Public High Schools in Ohio

    Senior: MHS is an exceptional school with incredible teachers that really push you to succeed. It is evident that every teacher is there because they want to be, and they put great time into not only their lesson plans, but also the students. Every teacher is willing to spend extra time with students in order to ensure they comprehend the material. If I could change anything, it would be some administrative details like backpack policy and superfluous assemblies.
    Read 115 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 421 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  15. Dublin Scioto High School

    • Dublin City School District, OH
    • 9-12
    • 180
    12 Best Public High Schools in Ohio

    Parent: Dublin Scioto offered plenty courses that challenged my child and encouraged him to learn. Additionally, if and when a higher level course was not available, Scioto provided my son with the opportunity to take college level courses through the college credit plus program. The guidance counselors were very helpful all throughout my son’s four years, and were always available to answer any questions. The teachers were also very helpful and taught their respective classes well, and they were also always available if my son ever had any questions regarding the subject. Overall, Dublin Scioto High School is a great school with a qualified staff and a healthy learning environment.
    Read 180 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,277 Students
    • 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  18. Hudson High School

    • Hudson City School District, OH
    • 9-12
    • 255
    13 Best Public High Schools in Ohio

    Alum: Hudson High School provided a strong foundation for further academic achievement, with its incredible number of resources and selection of AP classes. Additionally, the extra-curricular activities offered were phenomenal and varied. However, this environment naturally brought about a competitive nature, as well as a focus on STEM and little to no prioritization of the humanities. Additionally, few of the students were aware of their religious, racial, and economic privilege. The school did little to fix these problems, but ultimately achieved its most important goal: a strong curricular education that prepared me well for a college course-load.
    Read 255 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,594 Students
    • 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  19. Dayton Regional STEM School

    • Public School
    • Kettering, OH
    • 6-12
    • 100
    14 Best Public High Schools in Ohio

    Alum: DRSS is a wonderful alternative to the local public schools. They take pride in meeting the student where they are and letting the student direct their own learning. Very open to creative projects! Very supportive of individual differences. Some teachers are slow in entering grades but they are giving feedback directly to the student if the student request it. Some of the teachers will take personal interest in the students and that really facilitates the learning process! It was the perfect school for me. I was ready for my college experience.
    Read 100 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 635 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  20. New Albany High School

    • New Albany-Plain Local School District, OH
    • 9-12
    • 259
    15 Best Public High Schools in Ohio

    Senior: The teachers and staff are absolutely amazing! The student body doesn't fall short either which made my 4 years here wonderful. I enjoyed most of my classes and the food was even great! I would love to see more freedom given to seniors seeing that they have been around longer and if trust has not been lost, deserve a bit more freedom like open lunch or opting out of study center periods. Other than that, New Albany has been a great high school and has definitely treated me well.
    Read 259 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,495 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  21. Orange High School

    • Orange City School District, OH
    • 9-12
    • 105
    16 Best Public High Schools in Ohio

    Alum: I liked my years at OHS. I was very active in extracurricular activities. I was a Lionette (the drill and dance team), in French Club, a member of the Orange Thespians and Orange Arts Seminar, and Stage Crew. I found a true love for the sciences, especially Biology. In 10th grade, my biology teacher let me stay after school and do extra dissections. She made a real impact on my life and academic career. I think my decision to go into medicine has to do a lot with her.
    Read 105 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 710 Students
    • 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  22. Olentangy High School

    • Olentangy Local School District, OH
    • 9-12
    • 275
    17 Best Public High Schools in Ohio

    Junior: This is a school district that focused on you and your experience. They set you up for success by providing you the most experienced and effective teachers and administration. The environment is filled with loving teachers and open arms. I am proud to be an Olentangy Brave and I hope one day, my kids can say the same!
    Read 275 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,720 Students
    • 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  25. Rocky River High School

    • Rocky River City School District, OH
    • 9-12
    • 158
    18 Best Public High Schools in Ohio

    Senior: Rocky River High School has prepared me for the best future I could create for myself. Everyday, I feel incredibly safe and comfortable within the facility and the teachers that lead their classes. I discovered the best part of my abilities in high school, and realized that I was able to make changes for my academics and still succeed, with the help from my teachers, administrators, and peers. I thank those who helped me along the way for providing the best type of care and education that this beautiful city has to offer. On the other hand, I would like to see more diversity within the school district (which sometimes cannot be controlled based on the demographics of the city) in order to create less of a "bubble" feel.
    Read 158 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 865 Students
    • 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  26. Chagrin Falls High School

    • Chagrin Falls Exempted Village School District, OH
    • 9-12
    • 165
    19 Best Public High Schools in Ohio

    Junior: The students at Chagrin Falls perform extremely well as a whole and are expected their best effort upon entering freshman year. Parents are incredibly hands-on in Chagrin and this can be a plus or a minus depending on how you view it. Administration wants what’s best for the students as a whole. Chagrin is a place where new students can fit in, but mainly consists of families that have lived here for decades, and that puts new students at a disadvantage socially. Overall, I thank Chagrin for optimizing my potential, and as a result will attend college in a year.
    Read 165 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 768 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  27. Mariemont High School

    • Mariemont City Schools, OH
    • 9-12
    • 65
    20 Best Public High Schools in Ohio

    Freshman: The academics and teachers are very good, if a bit difficult at times. The teachers and counselors do an excellent job of preparing you for college. Many students are involved in sports and football games are big events. However, the girls are very cliquey and there is a big problem with boys vaping in the bathroom.
    Read 65 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 530 Students
    • 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  28. Ottawa Hills High School

    • Ottawa Hills Local School District, OH
    • 7-12
    • 56
    21 Best Public High Schools in Ohio

    High School Senior: It's a tough school, no doubt. If you apply yourself and utilize the resources available, you'll do great. A lot of students complain that the teachers don't pamper them, but those people need to grow up, it's high school. Student council works hard to get people involved, extracurriculars are good, and AP classes do prepare you for the test. The rigor of OHHS as a public school is pretty unusual, but in a good way. Crazy focus on college acceptances, everybody goes to college. I've never heard of anyone going to a trade school, and the school tries to cover up the few people who slip through the cracks. High achievers are rewarded, but there is obvious bias toward kids with parents who are involved in school functions.
    Read 56 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 454 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  29. Metro Early College High School

    • Public School
    • Columbus, OH
    • 6-12
    • 50
    22 Best Public High Schools in Ohio

    Senior: Metro Early college high school is a great school for students who want to be challenged. There are a few unhelpful teachers, but most are caring and attentive, even the difficult ones. The student culture is excellent. The school is extremely diverse.

    However, the administration can be disorganized. Increasingly, this high school is not a priority among the metro governing board, which has to focus on creating a middle school and technical high school from scratch. Specifically, the learning center experience is a shadow of what it once was.

    Also note that because admission to college is based on student performance relative to other students at your school, this does not look good on college applications. Furthermore, there are no AP classes here. AP classes are both easier than real college classes and look better to colleges because they are standardized.

    This was a great place to go and it's heartbreaking to see some aspects of it decline.
    Read 50 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 700 Students
    • 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  31. Beachwood High School

    • Beachwood City School District, OH
    • 9-12
    • 94
    23 Best Public High Schools in Ohio

    Sophomore: When I first walked into Beachwood High school for my freshman year of high school I felt very welcome. As the year progressed the same feeling of acceptance stuck with me the entire time, but I realized something. It takes a lot of push to get the students voices to be heard. We have to push for things that we know would better our school and that needs to change. The other thing that Beachwood needs to work on is a better safety system, which they are doing better at this year, but something that really stuck out for the students is what we were told on part of the reasoning for closing open campus was that the person at the front lets in whoever looks like a student. This really frightened some students and we want a better safety system to be put in place.
    Read 94 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 608 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  32. Oakwood High School

    • Oakwood City School District, OH
    • 9-12
    • 122
    24 Best Public High Schools in Ohio

    Alum: As an alumni, I would say my overall experience at Oakwood was great. A majority of the teachers I had were engaging and enthusiastic about the material they were teaching. Some examples include, but are not limited to: Matt Deters, Brian Martin, Connie Abner, Brooks-Hedstrom, Amy Ostdiek, Fred Schmitz. These teachers go out of their way to help students-- whether it focuses on school material or just life advice in general. Some other teachers.. Not so much. Albeit, when applying to colleges, I felt that the guidance department didn't exactly give a damn about you unless you were "gifted" or in the running to become Salutatorian or Valedictorian. Kind of a shame average students get put on the back burner. Overall, the academics were challenging but engaging as well-- I've already applied some of the knowledge from my AP Comparative Government class in real life scenarios. Cool!
    Read 122 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 728 Students
    • 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  33. Centerville High School

    • Centerville City School District, OH
    • 9-12
    • 333
    25 Best Public High Schools in Ohio

    Senior: Really great school for learning at high levels if you choose to. At Centerville hHigh School there are great block programs where selected juniors and seniors get to take major specific classes such as the one I’m in now. I am in the Engineering block program and I have learned a lot about designing, machining, and wiring in my class. I have had a great experience so far! I am also taking Honors Physics two this year as a senior. I am thankful that the students at Centerville have the option to take such a high level course in high school.
    Read 333 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,775 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  34. Sponsored

    St. Xavier High School

    • Private School
    • Cincinnati, OH
    • 9-12
    • 129

    Alum: St. Xavier High School is an excellent college preparatory institution. They are great at preparing students for life after high school, while also excelling at helping to guide young men into men of great character and connection within themselves, their relationships with others, and their communities. St. Xavier High School has an excellent group of teachers and staff members who make educating and shaping the young men they encounter their top priority.
    Read 129 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,514 Students
    • 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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