2024 Best College Prep Public High Schools in the Los Angeles Area

• Long Beach Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  497 reviews

Parent: After sending our son for a year, we are happy to tell that the school is filled with wonderful people. CAMS students are kind, friendly, supporting each other across grades, and caring younger students very well. Parents are very nice and supportive, too. Most teachers have decent backgrounds/careers. It's easy to communicate with teachers and school staffs. Minimal donation/volunteer requests. The school is for students like Engineering, Computer Science, or Bio-technology. Required courses include manufacturing with CNC machines & industrial 3D printers, computer programming, CAD designing, and college level Bio-tech curriculum. Located on CSUDH campus, junior/senior students may take the college classes at reasonable cost. More than 50 clubs to choose from. 1/5 students join FRC or VEX Robotics teams. While sports teams are limited, good players compete at tournaments. Dancing teams actively perform at various school events. A lot of fun and exciting opportunities at CAMS!... Read 497 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1340

• Average ACT 30

• Fullerton Joint Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  968 reviews

Senior: I have loved my time at Troy High School these past four years. Even though my sophomore year was Covid, my school has prepared me for everything I can imagine college will possibly be. I have great relationships with my teachers, they are truly in my corner and encouraging me to dream so much farther than I ever was when I started freshman year. I feel challenged in what I am learning but excited about what it to come. and I am a little restless, just ready to get going for what is next after high school. I think my time at Troy really got me ready for that! Troy has been so much fun with clubs and my soccer team and kept things balanced while keeping school going and life got busy. My favorite each year is the halloween rally when our sports teams dance and the pink game each year. Our student body takes over! I am definitely ready for the next chapter of life to start, but I will always love my time in highschool- go warriors!... Read 968 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1400

• Average ACT 32

• Irvine Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  522 reviews

Alum: University High School has a competitive atmosphere that is highly taxing on students' mental and physical health. To begin with, there is a concerning divide between CP and AP classes. On one hand, the AP classes at UHS are ridiculously challenging. For example, UHS's AP physics class crams the content of two AP exams into a single school year, differing from every other school in the district. On the other hand, CP classes lack organization. Therefore students who hope for a constructive learning atmosphere but don't wish to pack their schedules with AP classes will find themselves in an impossible situation.... Read 522 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1400

• Average ACT 31

• William S. Hart Union High School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  242 reviews

Senior: Academy of the Canyons is a very academic-oriented school, as it has no sports. It has high offerings in the STEM fields, so you can take advantage of a lot of opportunities there. The clubs and activities are lacking in terms of their breadth, but that is to be expected from a school of 400, so most of what you do outside the classroom is in reality outside the school. The teachers and staff there are amazing and always ready to support you, in & out of the classroom! Overall, a great school to recommend to academically focused, mature students ready to challenge themselves in a college environment.... Read 242 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1330

• Average ACT 30

• Anaheim Union High School District, CA•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  672 reviews

Sophomore: The school puts a lot of emphasis on academics and its curriculum is very advanced, but creates a negative school environment. Bullying and school violence is at a minimum, but socially, the school is extremely competitive. So far, there is not much student support to lessen student stress, especially from staff. However, teachers push the kids to learn as much as possible and provides good college preparation; a course focused on college prep is required freshman year. Teachers in all subjects are tough on students but willing to work with students, they are fair with their grading. Most core classes offered are by default honors classes, but if it is not fit for the student, regular courses are also available. The school has low funds but they are in the process of renovating, they have a very modern library and choir/band room. Student run organizations, like ASB, have fun events and keep in touch with students trends, to make events more personalized to the students' interests.... Read 672 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1400

• Average ACT 33

• Los Angeles Unified School District, CA•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  62 reviews

Sophomore: Academics are truly great! Many teachers are excellent, but some are definitely not great. Some school spirit is lacking in high school due the widespread consensus among GALA high school students and parents that more resources and energy are put towards middle school students. Great counselors and college counselors! Many opportunities for AP classes! Students' opinions are not always considered in certain imported decisions.... Read 62 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1240

• Average ACT 28

• ABC Unified School District, CA•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  399 reviews

Sophomore: Whitney has little social conflict and is arguably a little boring. The teachers excel at teaching despite that some are questionable in terms of character. Every space has its share of bad influence, but I would argue that, compared to other high schools, Whitney promotes good character; some of my favorite teachers are Whitney alumni. In terms of size, Whitney is not winning. They built a new science building, but there are still not enough tables for everyone to sit at, forcing the majority of the underclassmen to sit on the ground during lunch. We also do not have a football field. Whitney's extracurriculars tend to be shifted towards the arts, creating a diverse culture among students. The biggest clubs are service and culture clubs. Each year on International Day, the culture clubs go all out with performances and food. In my opinion, Whitney's theatre productions are the most amazing part of our extracurriculars, especially 2023's Anything Goes performance.... Read 399 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1420

• Average ACT 32

• Los Angeles Unified School District, CA•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  451 reviews

Senior: It's not as big as other LA high schools, so it's a tight-knit community. Everybody knows everybody, so it's nice to always have people to talk to in my classes. With most of the teachers, it's easy to tell they care about their subject, but sometimes you might end up with a few that don't so much. Our sports programs have been colossally improving over the past few years, and it's so easy to join any team that interests you. LACES is diverse and inclusive, and dozens of student-led clubs dominate. The campus is small and easy to navigate. There are color coded buildings for different subjects! There's also a quaint garden where we're starting to grow vegetables and herbs. A big loss at LACES is school spirit. It's hard to come across with no football team, so cheerleaders step in on basketball games and tennis matches. The leadership team does a great job of organizing fun events for the whole student body to participate in.... Read 451 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1300

• Average ACT 29

• Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  665 reviews

Sophomore: PVPHS is a great choice for kids who are willing to challenge themselves and prepare for college. Most of the teachers are excellent and well-qualified, and I’ve had amazing experiences with many of them. The majority of students are also very kind, vibrant, and accepting, compared to my last school in LA—they put extra effort into making you feel welcome. Along with that, the school spirit is fun and contagious, and kids here feel a lot of pride to be Peninsula students. However, the student culture here sometimes gets overwhelming—many feel pressure to get perfect grades and be involved in extracurriculars. While kids here are really polite, there’s always an underlying message: you need to do well and maintain your grades, or else. The pros outnumber the cons significantly: supportive people everywhere you look, some of the best academics in the state, and endless valuable experiences and opportunities. Final tip: Just be sure to find good friends and a decent work-life balance!... Read 665 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1370

• Average ACT 30

• Riverside Unified School District, CA•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  57 reviews

Alum: As someone who was a student from 5th through 12th, I had a great experience in the middle school. Great teachers, fun activities and a unique experience that made it very different from any other school I could go to. Going into high school, it was a bit more disorganized and not as innovative with the experience, and rather felt lacking compared to a normal high school. Despite this the smaller environment, and the excellent teachers made the school and overall great experience.... Read 57 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1350

• Average ACT 29

• Granada Hills, CA•

• Public School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  1,528 reviews

Sophomore: Granada Hills Charter High School has an intellectually enhancing curriculum that is unique to any other LAUSD or charter school that allows students to succeed further in life. From things such as the STEM program (which I am in) allowing opportunities for AP Physics and Honors Chemistry in freshman year, to increased amounts of extracurriculars from service hour opportunities to endless amounts of successful sports!... Read 1,528 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1280

• Average ACT 29

• Irvine Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  569 reviews

Junior: Between the freshman and sophomore years, classes are locked under an "integrated" system, where History and English are joined, Math becomes "integrated Math," and science, likewise, becomes integrated, making it difficult to study for. Students, every semester, must write an "anchor" constituting roughly 40-50% of their grade, and teachers can barely hand out unbiased judgments, which often leads to a reputation-based grading system. The Math course, in particular, is immensely fast paced, with no remediation available on tests worth 10-20% of your grade. And science, there is nothing to show; the curriculum is dependent on the teacher, and in some cases, you may learn nothing. While there are many electives, students have little information about them until the time of course requesting, and as such, only find out at the end of their first years. Nonetheless, as competitive as NHS is, their academics are extremely strong, and has an extensive arts program offered as electives.... Read 569 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1400

• Average ACT 32

• La Canada Unified School District, CA•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  358 reviews

Senior: The teachers are some of the best parts of the school, they care deeply for their students while also supplying them a good education opportunity to each and every student. The sanitation can be improved, but the access to food is fantastic, with vending machines for between classes, to the 'cafe' that opens during break and lunch. It gives students so many options to choose from, so you can always find something that you might like or want to try. The pacing of the classes isn't bad, it's good timing, though the participation could be better that's more of a student than a school issue. The sports are highly competitive here which is appreciated, you can definitely tell the school spirit during spirit week, although more prominent with seniors. Overall, it's a fantastic school if you're looking for an education, but diversity can be improved on.... Read 358 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1390

• Average ACT 31

• Santa Ana, CA•

• Public School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  604 reviews

Senior: I think over the 6 years I've spent at Ocsa in both middle and high school, overall I've really enjoyed my experience here. Something I think I'm going to miss and take for granted in the future is the community and culture that is so prominent at my school. People are like minded and passionate about the arts, and good at it too! It's difficult to find another high school where students are SO driven and creative. Most people here are very supportive of individuality and expression, and it's a unique culture of acceptance that I think is rare in a high school setting. Something I think Ocsa can improve on is their transparency and communication between administration and students directly. I feel like we have a limited relationship with the people actually running our school, and it makes it difficult to advocate for things when we have problems.... Read 604 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1310

• Average ACT 30

• Arcadia Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  1,120 reviews

Senior: I'm a senior taking in a great educational journey with the wonderful environment of the school. The teachers are not only educators but caring mentors, offering support, and the wide array of courses caters to diverse interests. The strong sense of community among students has led to the formation of great friendships created through clubs and sports. The vibrant extracurricular landscape, spanning sports, arts, and service clubs, enriches our experience, while counselors provide invaluable guidance as we navigate the path toward college. Arcadia High is more than a school; it's a dynamic hub of growth, learning, and preparation for the future.... Read 1,120 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1370

• Average ACT 31

• South Pasadena Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  452 reviews

Junior: The campus is very big and the teachers are great if you're in more AP or honors courses, however the the teachers are worse for the regular courses. Also, the school is very competitive and the environment is very stressful, especially if you take rigorous courses. However, I have enjoyed my time in South Pas High School. There are rarely any conflicts between peers, such as fights and bullying.... Read 452 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1360

• Average ACT 30

• Corona-Norco Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  226 reviews

Alum: This school offers many great opportunities for success. By offering the ability to enroll in college courses, students are able to receive college credits along with their high school credits. These credits can be transferrable to the future colleges they wish to attend. This year, 2023, 68 JFK High school graduates were able to receive their associate degrees with their high school diploma. This school emphasizes student success and provide opportunities for student growth. Teachers are welcoming, friendly, and work alongside students to analyze where improvements can be made. In my personal experience, I had the ability to utilize many services that were offered in this school. These services revolved around mental health, with the Evolve program providing peer discussion, fun activities, and group events that provide safe spaces for students to socialize and learn.... Read 226 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1150

• Average ACT 24

• San Marino Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  280 reviews

Works Here: The thing I love most about this school is the sense of community. We really are a small town and parents, students, and staff are all vital parts of making sure the school is excellent! We have over 20 sports, a thriving visual and performing arts program, two strong CTE pathways in business and media arts, as well as a brand new Medical Arts Academy in partnership with Pasadena City Colleges Dual Enrollment program of which we offer over 7 courses. We offer over 30 clubs and are adding new ones every year. Our teaching staff are second to none and offer a variety of engaging and creative activities and challenging lessons to prepare students for their post-secondary life which includes over 90% of students matriculating to a four-year university.... Read 280 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1390

• Average ACT 31

• Irvine Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  505 reviews

Senior: Woodbridge High School offers students with an abundance of resources and support from staff members to give their students a pathway to success. The campus contains many clubs encouraging unity on campus among students and in the local community, through organizations including arts, sports, and religion. Woodbridge's rigorous curriculum prepares students for the academic work and responsibilities in places of higher academia and future careers. Woodbridge High also prioritizes their students well-being/mental health, offering resources for help and guidance both on and outside campus through avenues like the "Hope Squad" and mental health professionals in the counseling center. Woodbridge ensures a positive environment for students of all backgrounds and doesn't tolerate exclusionary behavior, expressing this message through posters in classrooms across campus. The school also ensures safety of their students and staff members through a security team and police officer on campus.... Read 505 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1360

• Average ACT 31

• Los Angeles, CA•

• Public School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  92 reviews

Parent: Our child has been at Larchmont since kinder and has thrived. He went to the elementary Fairfax campus, a smaller campus with spacious classrooms, and he has loved the bigger Selma campus too. The leadership works hard to create an accessible and friendly atmosphere for the students and parents so there is a strong sense of community. The admin is collaborative and value parent input. The teachers are nurturing and attentive and know when to give students more help or more of a challenge. There are many enrichment classes (art, music, gardening, sports teams, band), a social-emotional curriculum and clubs. Most kids eat the (optional) lunch prepared in the Fairfax kitchen and is SO good. At Selma, our child has delved deeper into academics and developed new interests like government and digital media in clubs. We have seen his intellectual curiosity and independence grow and we look forward to the La Fayette Campus!... Read 92 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1260

• Average ACT 29

• Lake Balboa, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  182 reviews

Senior: My school is extremely small and technology-based. While they offer all subjects and a myriad of student-led clubs, the main focus of the school is STEM, hence the technological focus. The Robotics team is considered the equivalent of the varsity football team, which segues into the fact that my school also lacks sports teams, other than the highly-ranked running team. This proposes some issues, as it's difficult to experience traditional high school events such as football games, large school dances, and more. However, the tight-knit community I've found while attending this school has allowed for close friendships and lasting memories, even if they differ from those of large, populated high schools. Though there have been downsides, I remain grateful for the unique high school experience I've gained in the meantime.... Read 182 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1200

• Average ACT 25

• Tustin Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.87 out of 5  786 reviews

Sophomore: My experience at Beckman was undoubtedly challenging because I came from a middle school that most people didn't attend. Although it was very hard making friends, clubs and sports made the transition easier by allowing me to connect with my fellow classmates. The students at Beckman are incredibly studious and academically focused. Although it was hard to keep up, I realized that I thrive in an academically challenging environment because it pushes me to do my best. Lastly, clubs at Beckman were very diverse and gave various opportunities. I led and attended many events that gave me more interests and passions! The teachers were incredibly supportive and did their best to empathize with students and prepare them for their future.... Read 786 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1340

• Average ACT 31

• Los Angeles Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  283 reviews

Sophomore: Since I am a student at the school, I get to see the everyday events that occur. I enjoyed the teachers who knew that we were more than just teenagers and would push us to think about our future. They were actually worried for us and would help us achieve more than we thought we could! Overall, this school is amazing and I would recommend it.... Read 283 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1200

• Average ACT 25

• Irvine Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  419 reviews

Senior: If you're looking for a school that has a lot of school spirit and a place to experience football season then you're looking at IHS. We have pep rallies that gets everyone excited for the football games on Friday. Cheer, ASB, and student forum help out with creating and setting up the decorations (posters, balloons, IHS sign, lights) around the stadium. We always do chants to encourage the football team, sometimes we throw colored powder in the air (these stain your white shoes so beware), have balloons to just wave around or you can transform it into a hat/animal!... Read 419 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1370

• Average ACT 31

• Duarte, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.72 out of 5  156 reviews

Parent: I absolutely love CSArts! I couldn't imagine sending my children to any other high school. The teachers and staff are amazing, and the students are the icing on the cake! This is such a diverse, accepting, supportive student body. I feel very comfortable sending my children to school here, knowing they will be safe and cared for. The education is top-notch and the conservatory classes, I can't say enough incredible things about them. I HIGHLY recommend this high school!... Read 156 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1270

• Average ACT 28