2023 Best College Prep Public High Schools in Ohio

• Dublin City Schools, OH•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  272 reviews

Senior: Dublin Jerome High School has been a great experience for me! It is a very academically driven school that has definitely challenged me. They offer a myriad of different classes that can accommodate so many individual needs including their use of Emerald Campus, Tolles campus, AP classes, IB classes, honors classes, and CCP classes. Additionally, their athletics have been great for me personally. The culture and atmosphere here is also amazing.... Read 272 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1370

• Average ACT 30

• Indian Hill Exempted Village School District, OH•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  159 reviews

Senior: Indian Hill High School is an amazing school! There are endless opportunities here, such as a wide variety of clubs and sports. You can challenge yourself by taking AP classes, and there are so many to choose from! Most of the teachers are also very knowledgeable and hard workers, and our Principle and Vice Principle are honestly amazing. There are so many fun events throughout the year, like school dances, senior breakfasts, talent show, etc. One of my favorite parts of the school's schedule is Flex, which is a 90 minute time period for students to get some homework done or visit teachers once a week. It's so useful and I really appreciate that it's there! We are also very fortunate to have a very nice, clean-looking school, and we always know we are safe since the police station is less than a minute away. I'm going to miss going to school here! As for the downsides of the school, the school lunch is not very good and there is a lack of diversity.... Read 159 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1340

• Average ACT 30

• Solon City School District, OH•

• 8-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  461 reviews

Alum: I transferred to Solon High School my junior year, and have both good and ad things to say. The diversity was a very pleasant surprise for me, having transferred from a PWI, but even so I still witnessed a lot of racism and prejudice that went unchecked. The staff had good and bad, the science department was especially nice and I still carry that knowledge with me to this day. Administration could be overly strict and not very fair, going so far as to reach into students' back pockets to retrieve their phones even when they weren't using them, which seems invasive to me. The sports facilities are beautiful, fully furnished and function as intended. Other than the child predator fiasco (teacher has since been removed) the music department is also amazing, and my skills grew tremendously in their orchestra after just a few months. Academics feel more geared towards memorization rather than absorbing the knowledge which I'm not a fan of. The guidance counselors are very helpful.... Read 461 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1350

• Average ACT 29

• Mason City School District, OH•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  887 reviews

Senior: Hello! My name is Savannah Khosla and I will be discussing my overall experience at William Mason High School. Without a doubt, I have been extremely privileged to attend a high school that supports high achievements in academics, leadership roles, and actively engaging in activities outside of school. I had been on the bowling team for 2 years which I absolutely loved. I wouldn’t have thought I would have enjoyed it as much as I did. I also ran track and the team was super supportive and encouraging. I was privileged to have been able to take harder, more advanced courses to expand my mind and to push myself for ever greater success. I am very fortunate I was able to be apart of the CCP program (college credit plus) which allowed me to gain college experience and credit while being comfortable at my high school. I have made many friends through my high school years and excited to see where they go in the future. William Mason high school was an amazing school.... Read 887 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1370

• Average ACT 29

• Cincinnati City School District, OH•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  599 reviews

Senior: Attending Walnut Hills High School was an unforgettable experience. It offers a rigorous academic curriculum covering STEM and humanities, diverse extracurricular activities, and a welcoming, supportive community. Its abundant resources include a well-stocked library, computer lab, and cultural programs. The school fostered personal and intellectual growth, encouraged critical and creative thinking, and built teamwork skills. The teachers were knowledgeable and approachable, while the diverse student body created an inclusive environment where students could learn from each other's perspectives. Overall, Walnut Hills provides a transformative high school experience that prepares students for college and beyond. I highly recommend Walnut Hills to any student looking for a challenging, enriching, and supportive high school experience.... Read 599 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1330

• Average ACT 29

• Wyoming City Schools, OH•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  140 reviews

Senior: Being at Wyoming High School was an enjoyable experience. I feel as if I received a very good education from the school. At times classes felt a little too challenging, and at other times it felt very easy. The students and teachers at Wyoming overall are very kind people. There's always a select few that aren't. The school is known for academics but sports is very prominent amongst the school and neighborhood. Certain sports, example being basketball and football, get a lot more attention from the school and community in comparison to other sports. There's a lot of resources for students to use to create. Our library has numerous tech items that are available to the students to use for any projects or simple interest they have in a certain field in the future.... Read 140 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1350

• Average ACT 30

• Ottawa Hills Local School District, OH•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  63 reviews

Senior: The real draw point of Ottawa Hills is our academics combined with extracurricular offerings: there is no other school with as engaged teachers and resources for you to do as well as you can. That being said, the environment seems to be driven by the parents who put their kids here. Sometimes, parents beliefs for what an education needs to be sometimes overshadow what kids really need: balance and self-care in the midst of a stressful environment. If you are going to send your kid here, make sure not to a) pressure them TOO hard to succeed, b) promote good self-care practices and c) encourage them to have a positive attitude. That’s all you need to really succeed here.... Read 63 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1370

• Average ACT 30

• Bexley City School District, OH•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  102 reviews

Junior: I have had a fairly good experience at Bexley High School. I’ve been in the Bexley school system my entire school career, and have been given an exceptional education. The teachers are knowledgeable and accommodating, creating a learning environment not easily matched by other schools. There’s a distinct feeling of community inside the walls of our BHS because of the employees and administration. There are also exceptional experiences offered by the school through clubs and extra curricular activities. There is a hope to bring worldly knowledge to the students and to help everyone become successful post high school.... Read 102 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1330

• Average ACT 29

• Dublin City Schools, OH•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  304 reviews

Senior: I transfered from a small school to Dublin Coffman as a freshman student. I was nervous, but our school has a great inclusion program for new students called the New Student Group. We met regularly with our other new peers and our guidance counselors to make sure we were getting acclimated to a large, new school. The guidane counselors at Dublin Coffman are amazing! They are very accomidating and always make time for you. They are great commuicators. Dublin Coffman also has many opportunities for inclusion in clubs and peer groups. Coffman is very diverse and you are exposed to many different cultural backgrounds. It's a wonderful opportunity, especially for a student coming from a small school that is not culturally diverse. There are also many opportunties for different classes that were not available at my previous school.... Read 304 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1320

• Average ACT 29

• Sycamore Community School District, OH•

• 8-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  284 reviews

Senior: Sycamore High School has let me become part of more than I could have ever imagined. During all four years of high school, I was a part of the Synnovation Lab, which is a self-paced and project-based learning program. I was also a part of cross country and track which had really motivational coaches who believed in each and every one of us. Sycamore has also been super concerned about the students' safety which has made me feel very comfortable. This school also has a wide variety of classes. I was introduced to classes I didn't even know existed. These classes weren't just classes to help you pass high school or to get your grades up, but they were classes that you would benefit from in the future. For example financial literacy, the human body, a teacher class (for those wanting to go to college to become a teacher), forensics, law studies, field biology, and more. Sycamore also gives students many opportunities to get involved in leadership positions or even lead there own club.... Read 284 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1320

• Average ACT 29

• New Albany-Plain Local School District, OH•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  291 reviews

Senior: New Albany High School is a place where everybody can be somebody. It’s easy to thrive here because there is plenty of diversity, challenging curriculum (with tons of supportive staff), extracurricular activities for everyone and all in a very safe, clean environment. I’d recommend NAHS to anyone!... Read 291 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1300

• Average ACT 28

• Olentangy Local School District, OH•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  189 reviews

Senior: I love going to Olentangy Orange High School! The majority of the teachers are so supportive, and are willing to help you. There is a wide variety of both core and elective courses available to everyone, as well as CCP and other learning opportunites. The student body overall is filled with kind and respectful people, and I couldn't ask for a better high school.... Read 189 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1270

• Average ACT 28

• Upper Arlington Schools, OH•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  217 reviews

Alum: I absolutely loved UA. As a current college student I now see how incredible the Upper Arlington school system was at preparing me for the college world. Additionally, most of my teachers were phenomenal in the classroom, as well as people. I hope to move back to UA following my college graduation!... Read 217 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Average SAT 1320

• Average ACT 29

• Beachwood City School District, OH•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  117 reviews

Junior: The sense of community here at Beachwood is unparalleled. Within grades, in between different grade levels, student-faculty relationships, as well as within the faculty itself, Beachwood is rife with the most tight-knit communal bonds you'll find. As an new student, a student got up from their chair and welcomed me with a warm handshake literally at the door of the classroom. The next 5 years that I've spent here have been no different. Although academic and extracurricular performance seem to be a top priority for the majority of students here, the unity makes it a group effort rather than an individual struggle.... Read 117 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1320

• Average ACT 27

• Columbus, OH•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  114 reviews

Senior: The school provides great opportunities for the people who really take advantage of them. People who are able to get ahead and take college classes while in high school can graduate with many college credits. However, there are many kids who get stuck and struggle to come up with enough credits to graduate. The school is not built for everyone. Also, the administration does not always support the kids in all their needs. There is a lot of teacher turnover which makes it harder for the students to lasting a real connection with the teachers.... Read 114 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Average SAT 1260

• Average ACT 27

• Olentangy Local School District, OH•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  312 reviews

Senior: Olentangy Liberty High School is very large, and with it you can meet many people. It is always strange walking the hallways and seeing people you didn’t even know existed everyday. I really enjoyed the large school and the school pride present. There are an array of classes and the teachers really care. However, I would like to see a change in the way the school deals with cases involving bullying. As of now, for Ana cation to be considered bullying, it must happen many times and the victim must say stop, or else it’s just harassment. This protocol puts the victims in more danger and pushes kids not to speak up about it because it heavily favors the bully. That would be a crucial change that would positively effect the school as a whole.... Read 312 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1320

• Average ACT 29

• Olentangy Local School District, OH•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  335 reviews

Senior: Olentangy High School is a very academically proficient school district with many of the smartest students in the Columbus area. However, merely going to this school will not guarantee you a good education. You get out what you put in. I've taken many easy classes and many difficult classes, and throughout I've found teachers who teach the AP and honors courses are the best. They are the most passionate about their subjects and are more flexible with student learning. I if you want to have a good experience at this school, I recommend getting involved as much as possible. Overall, I think Olentangy High School has been a transformative experience, but you will only get out what you put in.... Read 335 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1300

• Average ACT 29

• Orange City School District, OH•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  119 reviews

Freshman: They call Orange the Public-Private school. Our education is great and the teachers are amazing! I personally am in the gifted program, and it is amazing. The AP and Honors teachers are great. Our Marching band/Lionettes (color guard) Halftime shows during football season are awesome! Our football team in the 2021-2022 and past years from what I've heard is not very good at all. However, our campus is beautiful and after school, it is a short walk to the library or corner store so that you can buy some candy. There are obviously people and teachers that people won't like, but it is a school, and you can't really prevent that. Also, our performing arts program is small but awesome! Overall, though, I love Orange. I've gone here since kindergarten and I am so grateful to be able to receive such a great education and learning experience at Orange. Everyone here tries to support you in any way shape or form possible.... Read 119 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1260

• Average ACT 28

• Hudson City School District, OH•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  330 reviews

Senior: I love Hudson High School! It is a great and safe school. The teachers are nice and the administrators are very well. They only thing at Hudson High School that is not the best is the diversity. Students are not really diverse and are ignorant about different cultures. As a middle eastern student, I feel like I don’t find people from the same ethnicity. There are very few people from Asia, Middle East, Africa, or Europe. The academics prepare students very well for college! I feel ready for college as I will be an incoming senior this year. I think Hudson does a great job in keeping students focused and well prepared for the future. Homework and tests are rigorous, but they truly are helpful in the future as colleges are more work! I love Hudson High School and hope that it can expand its cultures, dedication, and hard work. Hudson High School is a safe school. I feel safe and secure when in the school because we always practice drills and have a plan in case anything happens.... Read 330 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1290

• Average ACT 29

• Centerville City School District, OH•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  391 reviews

Alum: Overall my experience at CHS was solid. I found the education system oftentimes daunting and not necessarily completely a showing of the necessities for college. For example the abolishment of exams, though very much a stress reliever it also gives that lack of preparation for what’s to come in further education. I found many teachers helpful on the other hand. I’d really like to give appreciation towards the teachers during the 2020-2021 year. Teaching basically two classes because of covid they had to endure arguably more than the students and I want to show my appreciation for that. That would conclude my overall opinion of my experience with CHS. Overall a very strong school in terms of academics!... Read 391 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Average SAT 1340

• Average ACT 28

• Shaker Heights City School District, OH•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  336 reviews

Senior: While the Shaker Heights High School can be improved there are many good things about it. The academics are good with lots of different options between honors, AP, IB, and fun electives to take. The sports are also a lot of fun whether you are participating or just watching a game. I had so much fun on the field hockey team as it was a great community and was a great way to make friends. There are also many art/music classes you can take (orchestra, band, photography, jewelry, painting, etc). I was in orchestra all four years of high school and it was so much fun. Shaker is also filled with a lot of open-minded people who want to make a change in the world. However, sometimes there are issues with staffing for students with IEPs (not all but some) and there are fights that occur within the school. Overall though I had a good experience at Shaker.... Read 336 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Average SAT 1290

• Average ACT 27

• Oakwood City School District, OH•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  152 reviews

Senior: Oakwood is definitely the best school system in the Dayton area. The community is very involved and feels centered around the schools. It's not cheap to live in Oakwood, but everyone knows this and considers it worth it for the schools. The only thing that Oakwood does not rate well in is diversity. It is overwhelmingly white, privileged kids. That's the makeup of the entire community, however.... Read 152 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1340

• Average ACT 30

• Dublin City Schools, OH•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  244 reviews

Senior: Diversity is basically the motto of my school. There are flags of nearly every country plastered on the ceiling of the cafeteria, there are so many different people from so many different backgrounds. The "IRISH Way" is our way of keeping integrity, respect, individual responsibility, service, and high expectations as values for staff and students. School lunches are great. There's lots of diversity in courses and many options for advanced learning. Students with disabilities have ample opportunities to have the same experience as their peers. School activities are plentiful and unique, and the faculty takes extra measures to ensure the happiness and safety of the students.... Read 244 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Average SAT 1240

• Average ACT 28

• Mariemont City Schools, OH•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  92 reviews

Parent: The new high school is a state of the art learning facility. It finally matches the level of excellence the teachers have always provided students. My children are more prepared for college than their peers. The level of instruction and preparedness Mariemont High School is so high that my children were confident for the next steps. The number of caring staff members that helped my child through their journey make MHS a special place. There is something for every student, now that broadcasting and eSports are an option my son found a way to connect to his school. The experiential learning program they offer is next to none. The intersession week my son participated in helped him discover his path for after school. The internship was a remarkable experience.... Read 92 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Average SAT 1310

• Average ACT 29

• Chagrin Falls Exempted Village School District, OH•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  183 reviews

Junior: Chagrin Falls provides numerous opportunities for students to excel in the field they want. Students have opportunities to enter career technical studies if they wish, there are classes ranging in difficulty so no matter your level you can find the right level for you. There are sports of every type and many clubs. I participated in marching band, speech and debate, interact club (community service), Connect club (best buddies), model UN, and feminism club. I was able to take classes I wanted regardless of my business during the day, as they offered my AP research class before school. I have a class entirely dedicated to completed a research study on a topic I enjoy. I was able to take AP Statistics as a sophomore, finding my passion in statistics, and I will continue to take CCP statistics classes next year. The school provides so many opportunities to flourish no matter what type of student you are.... Read 183 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Average SAT 1290

• Average ACT 29