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2020 Best Schools in AmericaAbout this List

Explore the best schools in your area based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

1 – 25 of 118,729
Best Schools
118,729 results

  1. Phillips Exeter Academy

    • Private School
    • Exeter, NH
    • 9-12
    • 240 reviews
    #1 Best Private High Schools in America

    Junior: Phillips Exeter Academy is an amazing institution with renowned facilities, faculty, and alumni. The financial aid is unmatched; I will be forever grateful for the generous financial aid package that my family received. It's a diverse school, and although it's not always perfect in handling issues surrounding equity and inclusion, it's definitely a school that tries really hard to make sure each student feels safe. Stress levels are extremely high here, the workload is intense, and the New Hampshire winters can be extremely dreary, but I have made the best friendships here and have grown so much, both academically and personally. Even through the tough times, I have never regretted saying Yes to Exeter and I know that its all worth it. Additionally, it IS possible to have fun here! Even in a small town, we find ways to just live life and be teenagers.
    Read 240 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,085 Students
    • 5:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  2. St. Mark's School of Texas

    • Private School
    • Dallas, TX
    • 1-12
    • 56 reviews
    #2 Best Private High Schools in America

    Senior: Attending this school is the best thing i’ve ever done in my life. This school prepares you for college and life out in the real world. The teachers genuinely care and the community of St. Marks is extremely generous. The experience of learning at St. Mark’s is the best that money can buy. If you want you child to be successful, virtuous, and well rounded, send him to St. Mark’s. I will be forever grateful for this school and the 90 brothers that I gained from the moment that I stepped onto 10600 Preston Road. God Bless and Go Lions!
    Read 56 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 863 Students
    • 9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  3. Phillips Academy

    • Private School
    • Andover, MA
    • 9-12
    • 118 reviews
    #3 Best Private High Schools in America

    Alum: My daughter graduated in 2011, and I am a member of the Alumni Council for Phillips Academy (full disclosure).

    Even though I knew how special Andover was, I experienced an even better Andover through my daughter. She was a smart girl before, but she developed such confidence, particularly in math and science. I watched the self-doubt become controlled and I saw a true leader develop. Even when there was a disappointment, she knew that she could power through it with the skills she possessed.

    And the friendships! She has life-long friends, both boarders and day students, boys and girls, athletes and non-athletes. All are smart, confident, and succeeding in their fields, now that Andover is behind them. But, you never lose Andover; it is always with you, allowing you to strive and succeed in every way.
    Read 118 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,146 Students
    • 5:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  4. The College Preparatory School

    • Private School
    • Oakland, CA
    • 9-12
    • 74 reviews
    #4 Best Private High Schools in America

    Senior: College Prep has been an amazing experience for me. The classes are engaging, and the teachers are phenomenal—they genuinely care about your well-being, and they are always willing to meet with you outside of class or just chat. The students are wonderful, as well. Each person is unique and interesting to talk to, and the school has an incredibly collaborative atmosphere! I've had a great time at CPS, and I would absolutely recommend this school.
    Read 74 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 364 Students
    • 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  5. Trinity School

    • Private School
    • New York, NY
    • K-12
    • 61 reviews
    #5 Best Private High Schools in America

    Junior: An excellent education, especially with the upper school. Hands-on teachers, willing to help with anything. Great student body, and lots of wonderful extracurriculars. Facilities are top-notch, lots of space and natural light. Good performing arts program, as well as visual arts. Humanity classes are some of the best in the country. The only issue I have is with the math curriculum and how they use Problem-Based learning. Excellent and approachable college counselors. It is not a surprise that this is one of the best schools in the country.
    Read 61 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,001 Students
    • 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  6. Harvard-Westlake School

    • Private School
    • Los Angeles, CA
    • 7-12
    • 134 reviews
    #6 Best Private High Schools in America

    Senior: Harvard-Westlake's reputation matches reality: it is definitely an extremely challenging school with a lot of competition. You are pushed everyday and it's definitely very challenging. However, I feel like I've grown so much while I've been there. Harvard Westlake has made me feel like I'm prepared for college and I will actually have the skills to succeed. I get great teachers, great students who are all super motivated, and great courses. I'm not looked down upon for actually trying to do well in school, something that I had experienced before going here. When all is said, if you want to challenge yourself and grow to be a better person in every way possible, this is the place for you.
    Read 134 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,598 Students
    • 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  9. Stanford Online High School

    • Online School
    • Redwood City, CA
    • 7-12
    • 129 reviews
    #7 Best Private High Schools in America

    Parent: The teachers are experts in their subjects and their excitement about the material creates challenging and engaging classes for the students. But make no mistake, these are difficult classes! When my girls have had outside tutors, the common response is awe at the depth of the material they are covering in middle and high school.
    It is a surprisingly social school too! The kids are always on the group chats with OHS friends talking, goofy around or even watching movies together. The families are also great about getting together often and letting the kids visit each other. The best part is that it is cool to be smart and doing something positive and unique. This is the best type of peer influence you could ask for in high school!
    My daughter has taken summer classes in more traditional “work on your own” virtual schools and, while they have their own strengths, if you are looking for a truly challenging school and a real school community, OHS is a great place!
    Read 129 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 804 Students
    • 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  10. Choate Rosemary Hall

    • Private School
    • Wallingford, CT
    • 9-12
    • 131 reviews
    #8 Best Private High Schools in America

    Sophomore: I came to Choate in the fall and have been very happy with my experience! The education here far surpasses anything I could've expected. Each class is intellectually stimulating and prepares you well for further education. There are a multitude of extracurricular offerings, and if you want something that isn't offered, you can start it yourself. The dorm life is fantastic; having prefects and an advisor in your dorm help to keep you on track and take care of yourself.
    Read 131 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 848 Students
    • 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  11. Castilleja School

    • Private School
    • Palo Alto, CA
    • 6-12
    • 54 reviews
    #9 Best Private High Schools in America

    Senior: I am currently a senior at Castilleja, and I would never choose to attend another high school. When I first came, I was a little nervous as I had heard of Casti's reputation as rigorous and competitive. After four years, I have found that the academic rigor has only improved my experience and has never lead to competition between classmates. With sixty girls in one grade, it would seem that competition would be prevalent, especially during the college process. However, the community is one of care, and everyone at the school aims only to celebrate your achievements and encourage you to put forth your best work. Every single one of my classmates will become amazing women when they grow up, and Castilleja has been instrumental in developing our confidence, poise, ability to express ourselves, and compassion for others. Thank you Castilleja! My life is forever changed and I will bring the lessons you have taught me throughout the rest of my life.
    Read 54 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 434 Students
    • 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  12. The Lawrenceville School

    • Private School
    • Lawrenceville, NJ
    • 9-12
    • 120 reviews
    #10 Best Private High Schools in America

    Junior: Lawrenceville is a challenging environment, however, it's one of the best communities I've ever been a part of. The academics are incredibly rigorous, but faculty are always working to help students succeed. Lawrenceville gives students a well-rounded education with its core curriculum and engages them in discussion with the Harkness learning method. The school works to build a close-knit, supportive community for students. The House system places students (both boarding and day) into houses (dorms). This allows boarders and day students to interact more and form close bonds.
    Read 120 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 822 Students
    • 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  13. Regis High School

    • Private School
    • New York, NY
    • 9-12
    • 124 reviews
    #11 Best Private High Schools in America

    Niche User: I commend the Founders and leadership. The vision, execution, and evolution of the model is spot on. Ask any student, parent, faculty, college admissions counselor, and Dean at any University and you will get the real story. It's not perfect but the school has been able to maintain it's high level of academics and keep its goal of providing a full scholarship education for future Catholic leaders, authors, scientists, etc.. The sincere approach to help diversify the classroom has been successful. With education costs going out of control, you would think governments and schools are studying how it's done at Regis.

    Get a top notch education without lowering standards or using temp solutions ("shuttling" minorities in or subsidizing over priced tuition with"generous" financial aid packages to fill quotas for chess, academics, sports, and school team competitions). Colleges and employers love Regians!
    Read 124 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 532 Students
    • 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  14. Horace Mann School

    • Private School
    • Bronx, NY
    • K-12
    • 126 reviews
    #12 Best Private High Schools in America

    Parent: Horace Mann is a welcoming diverse community of families and high achieving students. From the moment we inquired about sending our oldest child to HM, the school embraced us and made us feel welcome. When we toured the new upper school campus, our jaws dropped. HM feels like the grounds of an Ivy league university, not a city day school. As our children have grown, they have developed into well rounded, intellectual curious people with truly deep personal relationships with friends from many cultures. Other schools in NYC talk the talk about diversity, but you can tell from the student body and faculty that HM walks the walk.
    Read 126 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,694 Students
    • 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  15. Collegiate School

    • Private School
    • New York, NY
    • K-12
    • 23 reviews
    #13 Best Private High Schools in America

    Alum: I was a K-12 student at Collegiate. Overall my experience was amazing. Became incredibly close with all my friends and the education has served me well. Coming to college everyone fears for the seemingly more rigorous education; however, this was not the case at all. I found myself being at the top of my class in writing despite being an average/below average writer in high school. I've found that many parents worry about sending their kids to an all-boys school, but I would highly recommend it. First, students don't deal with all the drama that co-ed schools inherently deal with. Second, there are many many more all-girl schools in the interschool. I don't think anyone had a difficult time socializing with women or getting girlfriends. Even though I would definitely recommend Collegiate, it does have its fair share of issues.
    Read 23 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 651 Students
    • 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  16. Lakeside School

    • Private School
    • Seattle, WA
    • 5-12
    • 91 reviews
    #14 Best Private High Schools in America

    Senior: You'll find opportunities like no other at Lakeside with plenty of unique extracurriculars (such as crew or wrestling), service opportunities (esp. Global Service Learning where you spend a month abroad in another country), dedicated teachers and staff, and quality people.

    Being an ultra-competitive school, it isn't rare for students to be sleeping after midnight. Teachers be like "we don't want you to be stressed" but also assign hours of homework each night… (you have been warned!)

    On the bright side, colleges know about the rigor here, so a 4.0 GPA is really not the norm. Also we don't have AP courses, but we can take "Honors" classes which are usually at or above the AP level. Classes can be challenging so my one piece of advice would be: set good study habits, prioritize school starting freshman year!

    Although I did have my ups and downs through my 7 years at Lakeside, in retrospect, if I were to go back in time to 5th grade, I would still choose to attend :)
    Read 91 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 838 Students
    • 9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  17. Brearley School

    • Private School
    • New York, NY
    • K-12
    • 61 reviews
    #15 Best Private High Schools in America

    Parent: My daughter began in Kindergarten and (still) loves it! She’s now in high school. It's a nurturing place for learning. The staff and faculty are incredibly supportive. They know each child. The curriculum is top-notch. There is a methodical approach to the curriculum that begins in the Lower School and continues in the Upper School. One example is in the writing program and how it evolved from Kindergarten, building on each girl’s capacity and capability, each year. Our daughter now produces papers for many courses that are well-written and well-argued! We feel that Brearley is our second home in the city. My daughter has life-long friends. Our family has also found families who will remain in our lives for a very long time.
    Read 61 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 720 Students
    • 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  18. Flintridge Preparatory School

    • Private School
    • La Canada Flintridge, CA
    • 7-12
    • 96 reviews
    #16 Best Private High Schools in America

    Alum: As a recent alum of Flintridge Prep, I can attest to the benefits it’s left me with. I am currently attending my #1 college (thanks to college counseling) and Flintridge focused on finding all of my classmates a college that fit us and wasn’t necessarily based on rank. I love Prep because of their spanish program that took me to Nicaragua and spurred my interest in public health (which is now my major). The teachers truly love their students and their jobs which is why this school is particularly unique. They want you to succeed and they push you to put in the hard work so that you truly are prepared for college. My freshman year began with a smooth transition and I feel capable in taking on my course work as a double major with a minor. Prep left me able to study independently, be professional, speak in public, thrive as an individual, and how to write a good email to my professors (a rare skill I’ve been told). I love this school, I really truly do, and I was there for 6 years!
    Read 96 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 530 Students
    • 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  19. The Hotchkiss School

    • Private School
    • Lakeville, CT
    • 9-12
    • 62 reviews
    #17 Best Private High Schools in America

    Parent: Warm and caring top-notch high school with excellent Academics, Athletics, and School activities. Faculty and student body that cares beyond just academic achievement. I couldn't pick a better school to send my developing teenagers! The beautiful campus also doesn't hurt!
    Read 62 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 600 Students
    • 4:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  22. St. Paul's School

    • Private School
    • Concord, NH
    • 9-12
    • 70 reviews
    #18 Best Private High Schools in America

    Sophomore: This year was my first at St. Paul’s School, and so far I have only good things to say about my experience. Overall, SPS has given me the opportunity to expand my horizons into different activities, subjects, and ideas which have, in my opinion, helped me grow as a person. Due to its selective nature, the school is made up entirely of students who want to be there and this affects classes and everyday life for the better. Because it’s relatively small, I find that it’s really easy to make friends and the student body feels more like a family than anything else. There are still a lot of things that the school needs to work on, such as greater diversity and art culture, but the administration is very receptive to the feelings of our students and has addressed them constructively. I would recommend SPS to anyone!
    Read 70 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 534 Students
    • 5:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  23. Crystal Springs Uplands School

    • Private School
    • Hillsborough, CA
    • 6-12
    • 35 reviews
    #19 Best Private High Schools in America

    Senior: Crystal prepares students for college!

    The only major downside is that I wish that there was more racial/ethnic diversity. There are only a few African-American students, roughly 5% of the entire school population, and it can be extremely isolating. Additionally, it has also been hard for me due to the fact that I am transitioning to male and as much as the school is trying to support me and understand, I think there is still A LOT of work to be done in regards to supporting LGBT(+) students.

    With that said, the academics are world-class. It definitely gives (and gave) me an advantage in testing, access to higher-level education, study skills, and essay writing.

    To those who are looking to apply, the biggest advice I would give is: Don't be afraid of the cost. The school gives excellent financial aid to those who truly need it.
    Read 35 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 539 Students
    • 9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  24. The Pingry School

    • Private School
    • Basking Ridge, NJ
    • K-12
    • 88 reviews
    #20 Best Private High Schools in America

    Senior: The Pingry School is an amazing school for all types of people. You can truly be yourself and find your people there. It is a nurturing community with great teachers that are more like life advisors than strict administrators. The class schedule is manageable and sets you up for success in college. It is all about getting you ready for college in a nurturing supportive community. The athletics are ok, the facilities are great. Only downside to Pingry is no A/C, but the heating system works. Overall, I would tell others that Pingry is not for everyone, but it is for most kids.
    Read 88 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,125 Students
    • 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  25. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology

    • Fairfax County Public Schools, VA
    • 9-12
    • 498 reviews
    #1 Best Public 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 498 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,786 Students
    • 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  26. Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy

    • Public School
    • Aurora, IL
    • 10-12
    • 285 reviews
    #2 Best Public 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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  27. Noble and Greenough School

    • Private School
    • Dedham, MA
    • 7-12
    • 39 reviews
    #21 Best Private High Schools in America

    Parent: Nobles is an amazing school, filled with caring teachers and administrators and smart, nice kids who are talented in a lot of ways. The theatre program is top notch, as is the music. My son started this year as a freshman and is having an amazing time-- being challenged in his honors classes, and trying so many different clubs, from Model UN, to Chess team, to a cappella to Chamber Singers, to writing for science and humanities publications. This is a school that really cares about the students' well-being. Every morning they gather for assembly which often has performances. It's a noticeably joyful place and we are so glad our son is there.
    Read 39 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 614 Students
    • 5:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  28. Deerfield Academy

    • Private School
    • Deerfield, MA
    • 9-12
    • 37 reviews
    #22 Best Private High Schools in America

    Niche User: I am from Eaglebrook school and I go to DA every week. The amount of freedom the Deerfield kids get is jaw dropping compared to the amount of babying in Eaglebrook school. The community is diverse, I am friends with a few alums who think the school is great! I might attend here soon.
    Read 37 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 658 Students
    • 5:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  29. Polytechnic School

    • Private School
    • Pasadena, CA
    • K-12
    • 96 reviews
    #23 Best Private High Schools in America

    Senior: My experience at Poly has been unforgettable. I entered as a freshman and immediately became involved in the sports and clubs they offered. The school offers several ways for students to follow their passions including student-run clubs, classroom projects, and service opportunities. The school also ensures students grow outside the classroom through international trips and outdoor education trips. I traveled to Nicaragua for a week with peers and teachers to teach the students there English, and it was an eye opening experience. I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to go on the trip, and I'm thankful Poly made it financially possible for me to go too! The teachers are also incredibly supportive and make it their priority to help students reach their full potential. My chemistry teacher met with me before school at 7:30 in the morning just to go over topics that I was struggling with. Overall, Poly is a great place, and I could not imagine high school anywhere else!
    Read 96 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 859 Students
    • 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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