2023 Best College Prep Public High Schools in the Atlanta Area

• Gwinnett County Public Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  495 reviews

Senior: One of the standout features of GSMST is the opportunity to take so many courses at the collegiate level; I was able to participate in 13 Advanced Placement (AP) classes throughout my high school career. This allowed me to challenge myself academically and prepare for college in a way that many other high schools could not dream of replicating. One of the highlights of my time at GSMST was the opportunity to see a bypass surgery live through the "Live from the Heart" program. It was a truly unique and enriching experience that I will never forget. Overall, GSMST is an amazing school for students interested in STEM. The school provides numerous opportunities for students to engage with real-world applications of STEM concepts through internships, research projects, and hands-on learning experiences. The teachers and staff are highly supportive, and the school has a strong sense of community. I highly recommend GSMST to any pursuing a STEM-focused education.... Read 495 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1380

• Average ACT 31

• Fulton County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  663 reviews

Senior: I love the staff of our school. Everyone is truly wonderful and I have never met a teacher and not liked them. They actually are considerate of their students and care for them in the classroom and outside of school. I've always felt welcome here, ever since I came from the 3rd grade. I've met all of my best friends here and made lifelong connections through this school. I couldn't have attended a better school!... Read 663 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1360

• Average ACT 31

• Cobb County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  572 reviews

Senior: Academically, Walton High School has a strong reputation for excellence. It consistently ranks highly in state and national rankings, and many of its graduates go on to attend prestigious colleges and universities. The school offers a range of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, as well as honors and dual enrollment programs, giving students the opportunity to challenge themselves and prepare for college-level coursework. Walton High School is also known for its strong athletics program. The school has won numerous state championships in sports such as cross country, swimming, and track and field. The school also offers a range of clubs and extracurricular activities, including debate, robotics, and community service.... Read 572 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1330

• Average ACT 30

• Fulton County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  551 reviews

Junior: The educators are patient and make the working environment positive, there is a nice school spirit as well. Many of the teachers are flexible and will cater the student's needs with extra help sessions, recovery and test correction opportunities. The school allows a 30 minute time period in the school day as a study hall and offers diverse activities. The school offers a large variety of courses and provides students with the all necessary amenities which make the learning experience more interactive. In addition, many extra curricular activities are offered such as clubs and sport teams. The school's campus is comfortable and easy to navigate through with multiple buildings. On the other hand the administration is not the best as there is some communication problems within the staff and from the staff to students. My friends and I have encountered multiple issues with our administrator and the communication of information is somewhat slow and at time inaccurate or not explicit.... Read 551 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1290

• Average ACT 29

• Fulton County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  467 reviews

Senior: I have attended Johns Creek High School for all four years. This school has helped me find my closest friends, my career path, and my dream college. This school has a plethora of amazing teachers with many different specialties. Johns Creek offers a wide range of classes and opportunities that mostly suits everyone's needs no matter what they might be. If I could change a couple things about Johns Creek High School, I would add in an architecture program. I would add this program because that is what I have decided to pursue in my college education and I have many friends that would also like to pursue the same thing. I would also add a more guided college path for students like me who struggled to figure out where to start when it came to applying for colleges, applying for scholarships, and picking a suitable major. Overall I have loved the school and had an amazing experience, and I know many others feel the same way.... Read 467 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1310

• Average ACT 29

• Forsyth County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  637 reviews

Sophomore: Lambert High School is a great environment for students to learn and grow as an individual. There are many different career pathways that students can choose from to help them determine what they want to do in college. Lambert has a very diverse student body with many different clubs and activities that students can get involved in. The students at Lambert are very hard-working which makes them the reason for the school's reputable status. Overall, great school and great community!... Read 637 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1320

• Average ACT 29

• Fulton County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  595 reviews

Alum: Chattahoochee is a safe and supportive environment for most students. In a wealthy and conservative area, the school benefits from plenty of funding but students of color experience microaggressions regularly from white peers. There is a tendency for counselors and administration to avoid pushing or pressuring students so it is their responsibility to be self-driven and push themselves as there is a general culture of "good enough" that can be both positive and negative.... Read 595 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1290

• Average ACT 30

• Forsyth County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  637 reviews

Freshman: I've loved it here in South Forsyth High School. It has a very large and open campus that is always expanding more and more! While there is diversity, it's not as much as I'd hope there be. They have a very wide selection of clubs and extracurricular activities you could do. Even if you feel like you don't belong in any of those clubs, you could always create a new one yourself. South Forsyth really helps in preparing you for colleges with multiple college course offerings. It is also the only school in the district/county that offers the IB program which gets you lots of recognition from colleges. I would like to see them work more on some facilities like restrooms and such. All in all, a great school to go to if you want your child to have a great path towards their future!... Read 637 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1300

• Average ACT 29

• Fulton County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  515 reviews

Alum: Milton High School is the epitome of a truly well-rounded high school experience. The administration advertises the school as a "triple-A school," claiming the equal presence of Arts, Academics, and Athletics. As a student, I can confirm this is an extremely accurate description. I participated in the chorus program all four years, took high-level and superb quality academic courses, and competed with the equestrian for four years as well, acting as captain for two of those years. In my spread across different realms of the school, I am not unique as there are plenty of students who do the same. We are/were supported by the school from all sides, and no element of the school seems overshadowed by another; both the theater and football teams have won state championships or competitions, and students are sent to international science fairs and HOSA competitions yearly just to name a few accolades.... Read 515 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1270

• Average ACT 29

• Fayette County Public Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.87 out of 5  438 reviews

Junior: Despite from what I had previously heard about the high school with its reputation of drugs, I came to realize this was an amazing school that give its students so many wonderful opportunities. I have been going here for 3 years now, and the teachers are some of the most qualified individuals I have seen. Not just the teachers, but the whole staff as a whole is extremely helpful and supportive of students, and they make sure to maximize the success in all teens attending. There are COUNTLESS opportunities offered by McIntosh; work based learning, after school programs, and many extracurriculars including a drone team! There is something for everyone who goes to this highschool, and I am extremely fortunate to attend.... Read 438 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1260

• Average ACT 28

• Gwinnett County Public Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  968 reviews

Junior: I have been attending North Gwinnett High since my freshman year of high-school and it's been amazing! The school most definitely prepares you for the real world and gives students a realm of possibilities to explore! The teachers are wonderful and demonstrate their care for students daily. I am proud to be a North Gwinnett student and I can't wait to see where my education will take me. The main thing I love about this school is the rigor that is given to us. The teachers don't treat us like we cannot handle anything. The teachers believe in our abilities and they push us to be our best. It's a wonderful atmosphere for learners to be in. My only suggestion for change would be more diversity among the student body. I love being able to meet new people and learn about different perspectives. Other than that, North is a great school that has helped me in several ways!... Read 968 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1260

• Average ACT 29

• Fulton County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  195 reviews

Senior: I love Cambridge High School. The interaction among students, faculty, staff and others to include volunteers is outstanding. When I initially began as a Freshman, I had a slight fear. But it took a short period of time for me to realize nothing had changed since my middle school days. There has always been awesome communication and understanding despite the circumstances. The office staff is very knowledgeable and friendly regardless of semester or time of year. I couldn’t ask for a better school system if I tried. I just wish and pray that my children are blessed with the same in the future!... Read 195 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1280

• Average ACT 28

• Dekalb County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  610 reviews

Alum: I went to Chamblee for all 4 years of high school and overall it was a good experience. Chamblee is a very diverse school and has many different sports and clubs for students to get involved in. Chamblee is a very competitive school academically and it can be very overwhelming at times (don't overload yourself with APs just because all your friends are taking them). There is an overall lack of communication between administration, teachers, and students which caused a lot of frustration and there is a lack of college readiness and support from counselors. There is also a separation of magnet and resident kids which was hard when being a resident kid. I often felt my needs were brushed aside for magnet kids. Overall though, I had a good 4 years. I made lots of friends and had a lot of fun. Remember! Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and advocate for your education because they're lot's of teachers who care for you and want to help you succeed here.... Read 610 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1250

• Average ACT 28

• Cobb County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  510 reviews

Senior: I like the inclusive feel from the counselors and staff, especially with the incoming freshman and the graduating seniors to help create a non-polarizing environment for students. Also, the amount of extra curricular activities and opportunities offered from the school exceed my expectations and previous school I attended. The reason why this school does not have all five stars is the lack of informational communication from the school, there can sometimes be a loss of communication on school events and school activities which can be detrimental for the student based on what those events entail. Overall the school is great, you meet many friends, have opportunities, and a safe environment for high educational learning.... Read 510 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1260

• Average ACT 29

• Cobb County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  557 reviews

Senior: The BIGGEST plus is that the teachers at Lassiter really care if the children learn and they make efforts to make it interesting and challenging. One of my kids was highly involved in band, and I DO recommend this avenue for any child who wants/needs an instant place to belong. I found the academics to be rigorous but not impossible, and we had an overall positive experience at this great school!... Read 557 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1260

• Average ACT 29

• Gwinnett County Public Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  932 reviews

Senior: My experience at Peachtree ridge high school is really great because of the school’s excellence in academics and the diversity in the school. The school is a great place to study due to its warm environment as well as the supportive teachers. Also the school constitutes of a bunch of clubs which are really very exciting and encouraging for students. In a nutshell, the school is perfect for students who wish to achieve great success in their academics. One thing I wish to change about the school is its meal plans which I feel that everyone should be eligible for without any student’s family’s financial condition confirmation because school is the place where everyone should be treated equally and should be provided with nutrition.... Read 932 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1220

• Average ACT 27

• Gwinnett County Public Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  1,157 reviews

Senior: Brookwood is a great school. Teachers have been supportive and helpful whenever I have needed them! I have particularly enjoyed the theater program. I have had the opportunity to meet a variety of people, learn about acting, stage craft, performing, and how to run a sound system. Participation in the theater program has helped me to become more confident. One thing I would have liked better was communication with students. As well, many parts of the school are very dated. They are adding buildings to account for the large number of students (4000), but areas like the theater are very outdated. Putting information in one, clearly identified space would have helped me feel like I knew what was going on. I feel truly lucky that Brookwood took the time and effort to create a prom experience for my classmates and me this year. While normally it is held at a fancy venue, parents, teachers, and administrators worked really hard to give us a safe, fun, and memorable experience on campus.... Read 1,157 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1220

• Average ACT 27

• Atlanta Public Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.64 out of 5  433 reviews

Sophomore: Grady is a great school academically! It has good diversity and a lot of the teachers work really hard to help the students succeed. There is a fairly large divide in socio-economic class as well as race. Most of the students are driven and motivated and care about their studies! Sports such as football are celebrated at Grady, but none of the Grady sports teams are notably good. I have enjoyed my time at Grady so far!... Read 433 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1210

• Average ACT 27

• Cobb County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  402 reviews

Senior: Pope High School does an exceptional job preparing students for success in their future after high school. The counselors and teachers push students to take rigorous classes. As well as push students to pursue attending college. It encourages sportsmanship and community. The school does a great job promoting extracurricular activities, sports, and arts as well as academics. There is an abundance of clubs that students can join. Everyone is also encouraged to support our sports teams by attending games. However, there is a lack of diversity at the school and in some sports. Recently, it has improved some.... Read 402 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1260

• Average ACT 28

• Cobb County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  717 reviews

Senior: I have enjoyed attending Kennesaw Mountain High School. The supportive counseling office has absolutely made me feel that I am equipped for the next stage of my school experience. The forums about financial aid, the diversity in the potential schooling options has been great. The counselor office being quite attentive in insuring that each student was on a path to successfully graduating on time was remarkable. The time spent at KMHS offered a wide variety of opportunities to be involved socially and civically. The student is body is diverse, yet we proved that barriers are broken when you identify your vested interest, and take responsibility for your part.... Read 717 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1240

• Average ACT 28

• Dekalb County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  341 reviews

Senior: I like Dunwoody High School's chance for everyone to prevail and truly understand their potential. Not only do students get opportunities like incentives for their improvement in classes, WHAS-UP tutoring , a student-led program for National Honor Society members to tutor other students of various subject areas and classes. With several alums being in prestigious universities, scholarships, and programs, this school offers out-of-school opportunities with school staff involvement. Some programs my friends and I have been acquainted with, through the school, are the Governor's Honors Program, Nation Merit Scholarships, and German Consulate Scholarships.... Read 341 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Average SAT 1210

• Average ACT 28

• Fulton County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  513 reviews

Alum: Though the students weren't the best (in fact, I often isolated myself because I felt I didn't "fit in"), the staff and faculty were the most supportive bunch of people—some of the best ones I've had in my life. When things got tough, I knew I could always walk into the counselors' hall, greet the desk associate, Ms. Deb, hold a conversation with her, and wait for my school counselor to let me into her office. Some people feel as though they can't express their true personality or their struggles to their teachers, etc., but I find that's not the case for me, which is something I've 100% come to appreciate.... Read 513 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1240

• Average ACT 28

• Dekalb County Schools, GA•

• 8-12

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  206 reviews

Parent: Dekalb School of the Arts is an excellent school. The faculty are wonderful and the students are talented and nice. The review below that claims there are "rodents scurrying across the floors" is a tremendous exaggeration from 3 and a half years ago, when they found one deceased squirrel in a storeroom. All of the maintenance issues have been resolved since the county got in trouble for maintaining all of its schools! This school will help your child grow up in a healthy, accepting environment, and achieve greater confidence and self-understanding.... Read 206 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1200

• Average ACT 25

• Buford City Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.46 out of 5  290 reviews

Senior: Buford High School is one of the best high schools in Georgia for a variety of reasons. Many in Buford refer to it as a "college campus" due to its grandiose design, but more importantly, the school's "Triple-A Excellence" exceeds expectations. Buford High is the top AP school in Georgia, and it covers all costs for AP testing so that all students, regardless of socioeconomic background, can have a chance to excel academically and show their efforts. The high school's high-quality education extends to more than just its AP classes, however, as they pull from a pool of the best teachers in the nation, including the teachers of their numerous career tech pathways. Its arts offerings are also incredible, with a variety of theater, dance, and art classes, while the athletic programs are very competitive, with all but one team making it to their championship in the 2022 school year. Overall, an amazing experience. Go Wolves!... Read 290 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1190

• Average ACT 27

• Fayette County Public Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  372 reviews

Senior: My school experience was overall excellent! The teachers did their jobs efficiently, and most of the teachers viewed students as people and not numbers.... Read 372 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1220

• Average ACT 28