2024 Best Public High Schools in America

Best schools

1-25 of 24,802 results

Senior: the academics here are fantastic. many teachers are life-changing. hw can be hard to manage, especially if you have other activities, but most teachers are lenient with extensions. the culture is weird. most school events are a bit lame tbh. you will get to know most students (or at least their faces). students can be pretty competitive abt grades. lots of stress culture. many students do not have the highest EQ lmao. i would say <10% of students are not white or Asian. lots of clubs during lunch! i would recommend participating in an activity at a local HS for a taste of the more traditional HS experience. many DA parents are helicopter parents which is not the most fun thing for the school & students. the administration can be a bit overprotective of students too. i've had mostly great interactions with admin members, but some things that admins do seem downright unreasonable to me. i am extremely thankful for my experience at DA and excited to leave for college!... Read 86 reviews
#1 Best Public High Schools in America.
The Davidson Academy
Blue checkmark.
Public School,
RENO, NV,
5-12,
86 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.
Featured Review: Senior says the academics here are fantastic. many teachers are life-changing. hw can be hard to manage, especially if you have other activities, but most teachers are lenient with extensions.the culture is weird. most school events are a bit lame tbh. you will get to know most students (or at least their faces). students can be pretty competitive abt grades. lots of stress culture. many...many DA parents are helicopter parents which is not the most fun thing for the school & students. the administration can be a bit overprotective of students too. i've had mostly great interactions...i am extremely thankful for my experience at DA and excited to leave for college!.
Read 86 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 172,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 7 to 1,
View nearby homes Virtual tour
Senior: NCSSM is perfect for students that do as the motto states: those who "accept the greater challenge." It is overwhelming and difficult-- every year, 300 juniors from across North Carolina are pulled from their home schools and live residentially, away from their parents and homes, with students with incredibly diverse backgrounds. You learn, in addition to your coursework, how to coexist. You learn about the vastly different experiences of your peers and intellectual equals (my closest friends are from rural areas, whereas I am from suburbian purgatory). You learn to take care of yourself alongside your academics. But it is worth it, if you make it in. You walk out with so much respect and love for the family of peers you find. Your mind opens, your viewpoints change. This is a life-changing experience, and it comes with its drawbacks and difficulties. But it is, forever and always, worth it to me because of the new way I see the world now. Go Unicorns (and Morganton Dragons!)... Read 181 reviews
#2 Best Public High Schools in America.
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
Blue checkmark.
Public School,
DURHAM, NC,
11-12,
181 Niche users give it an average review of 4.4 stars.
Featured Review: Senior says NCSSM is perfect for students that do as the motto states: those who "accept the greater challenge." It is overwhelming and difficult-- every year, 300 juniors from across North Carolina are pulled....
Read 181 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 976,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 8 to 1,
View nearby homes Virtual tour
Works Here: Mass Academy offers incredible opportunities for students to learn in a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive environment. The teachers go out of their way to help nurture students' unique skills and interests, guiding them to accomplish more than they likely thought possible. Student achievements include state and national recognition for their research and academic competitions including regional, state, and international science fairs; Regeneron Science Talent Search; CyberPatriot; High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling, The Actuarial Foundation's Modeling the Future Challenge; and the Congressional App Challenge. Along the way, students learn the importance of collaborating to reach their goals, focusing less on their grades and more on learning.... Read 96 reviews
#3 Best Public High Schools in America.
MA Academy for Math & Science School
Blue checkmark.
Public School,
WORCESTER, MA,
11-12,
96 Niche users give it an average review of 4.7 stars.
Featured Review: Works Here says Mass Academy offers incredible opportunities for students to learn in a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive environment. The teachers go out of their way to help nurture students' unique skills....
Read 96 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 100,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 14 to 1,
View nearby homes Virtual tour
SponsoredPrivate School
Fusion Academy Rockville
Private School·
ROCKVILLE, MD·
6-12
SponsoredAll-Girls School
Connelly School of the Holy Child
Private School·
POTOMAC, MD·
6-12
·
Rating 4.02 out of 5 62
SponsoredEpiscopal School
Episcopal High School
Private School·
ALEXANDRIA, VA·
9-12
·
Rating 4.43 out of 5 53
Senior: The quality of education is superb. Teachers and staff actively play a part in everyday student studies and work diligently to assist students towards success, whether this be through opening office hours or providing supplemental material in class. While there certainly are a diversity of clubs and opportunities, Payton is a small school and because of this, the variety of activities is limited. However, the school does encourage students to open all kinds of new clubs- an opportunity that students always take advantage of (introducing 3 new identity clubs in my years alone). However, due to the recent changes in faculty, the governing body of the school is not yet unified and students often feel that their voices go unheard. Throughout all of this, the new principle sends out weekly newsletters to parents and guardians with a section open to questions, maintaining excellent communication between the school and home.... Read 441 reviews
#4 Best Public High Schools in America.
Payton College Preparatory High School
Chicago Public Schools, IL,
9-12,
441 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.
Featured Review: Senior says The quality of education is superb. Teachers and staff actively play a part in everyday student studies and work diligently to assist students towards success, whether this be through opening office....
Read 441 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 1,233,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 16 to 1,
View nearby homes
Senior: The administration and everyone there is absolutely amazing. The school does suffer from a very small subset of vandals and otherwise unsavory students, but the struggle lies on the part of the students, and administration has in no way been soft on these issues. The teachers are incredibly kind and personable, and have required office hours throughout the entire day. The school is not for the faint of heart, though, as it is a rigorous school offering high-level college courses in a state not known for good public education.... Read 57 reviews
#5 Best Public High Schools in America.
Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics
Blue checkmark.
Public School,
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK,
11-12,
57 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.
Featured Review: Senior says The administration and everyone there is absolutely amazing. The school does suffer from a very small subset of vandals and otherwise unsavory students, but the struggle lies on the part of the....
Read 57 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 121,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 4 to 1,
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#6 Best Public High Schools in America.
School for the Talented & Gifted
Dallas Independent School District, TX,
9-12,
200 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.
Featured Review: Alum says I graduated class of 2022 and am currently attending University. I feel like TAG definitely prepared me and was very fortunate to have amazing mentors and teachers. TAG is overall very accepting and....
Read 200 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 534,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 18 to 1,
View nearby homes
#7 Best Public High Schools in America.
South Carolina Governor's School for Science & Mathematics
Blue checkmark.
Public School,
HARTSVILLE, SC,
11-12,
180 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars.
Featured Review: Senior says I like this school for it's amazing course catalog and flexibility when it comes to wanting to learn. It's also very easy to start clubs and initiates like these are always encouraged. The lack of....
Read 180 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 257,
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Junior: Overall, pretty solid experience. The teachers in the arts department are incredibly accepting and warm people, their strength and patience is impressive and they're the backbone of the NCP arts department. This goes for music and fine arts. Our theater program isn't greatly funded, but is very student led, with many of us making costumes or props in between scenes. The community is tight knit but very welcoming and has incredibly talented folks. The math department has some teachers that use teaching styles that don't work for most students. They move very fast or often gloss over topics, so a student must do a lot of self teaching. The science department has some pretty great teachers, many of which are strict but reasonable. The English department has solid teachers as well and left me very prepared for my AP exams. Speaking of which, certain AP's are required (i.e. precalculus and language + composition). The academics are rigorous and prepare you well for college.... Read 633 reviews
#8 Best Public High Schools in America.
Northside College Preparatory High School
Chicago Public Schools, IL,
9-12,
633 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.
Featured Review: Junior says Overall, pretty solid experience. The teachers in the arts department are incredibly accepting and warm people, their strength and patience is impressive and they're the backbone of the NCP arts....
Read 633 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 1,040,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 15 to 1,
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#9 Best Public High Schools in America.
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology
Fairfax County Public Schools, VA,
9-12,
602 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.
Featured Review: Senior says My experience at Thomas Jefferson high school for Science and Technology could definitely be described as a roller coaster with the scary, bumpy part of the roller coaster being my first two years....
Read 602 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 1,967,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 17 to 1,
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Junior: IMSA is a lot different than the stereotypical high school experience, both for better and worse. It prides itself on its 'inquiry-based methods of learning', and while a lot of its curriculum is unconventional to meet this goal, its very hard to compare it to any other high school academically. There's both good and not-so-good faculty, they also tend to change up a lot between years. Clubs are very, very student led, there is little support from the school and it's sometimes hard to get resources because of how small the student body is (~600 total students)... Read 386 reviews
#10 Best Public High Schools in America.
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Blue checkmark.
Public School,
AURORA, IL,
10-12,
386 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.
Featured Review: Junior says IMSA is a lot different than the stereotypical high school experience, both for better and worse. It prides itself on its 'inquiry-based methods of learning', and while a lot of its curriculum is....
Read 386 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 624,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 14 to 1,
View nearby homes Virtual tour
Senior: My overall experience with Staten Island Technical High School was quite positive. The best part of my experience was the challenging curriculum and the dedicated teachers who were always willing to help. The school offered a wide range of extracurricular activities and opportunities for academic growth. On the downside, the workload was quite heavy at times, which made it challenging to balance academics with other activities. Additionally, the competitive nature of the student body could be overwhelming at times. One thing I would like to see change is a greater emphasis on mental health and well-being. The school could benefit from more support systems and resources to help students manage stress and anxiety. Overall, my experience at Staten Island Technical High School was rewarding, but there are certainly areas for improvement.... Read 795 reviews
#11 Best Public High Schools in America.
Staten Island Technical High School
Blue checkmark.
New York City Geographic District No. 31, NY,
9-12,
795 Niche users give it an average review of 4.4 stars.
Featured Review: Senior says My overall experience with Staten Island Technical High School was quite positive. The best part of my experience was the challenging curriculum and the dedicated teachers who were always willing to....
Read 795 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 1,374,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 17 to 1,
View nearby homes
Alum: Definitely stressful and the school culture can be very competitive. However, I definitely feel like I was prepared for college by this school. The academics are rigorous and there are many opportunities to earn college credit. Teachers are a mixed bag but most of them are good and well-educated and a lot of the faculty here had a very large and positive influence on me. There are a lot of opportunities to get involved here and the sports are surprisingly not terrible. Alumni network is also pretty good. The school is obviously not located in the best area but I still felt safe during my time here. Overall, I had a good experience at this school.... Read 1,082 reviews
#12 Best Public High Schools in America.
Bronx High School of Science
New York City Geographic District No. 10, NY,
9-12,
1082 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.
Featured Review: Alum says Definitely stressful and the school culture can be very competitive. However, I definitely feel like I was prepared for college by this school. The academics are rigorous and there are many....
Read 1082 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 2,951,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 21 to 1,
View nearby homes
Senior: Deciding to attend Townsend Harris was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. For starters, the community here is very welcoming, whether it be teachers, students, or admin. Spend a day here and you will see a multitude of friendly interactions between students and teachers in the halls (dapping teachers up, to yelling each others’ names and saying hi in the halls) Another aspect I appreciate is this school’s active student body. There are several major student-led events that occur throughout the year, and virtually all students participate it in. FON and S!NG are the major events, and during these times, almost the entirety of the student population comes together to put together the productions. The school is always bustling after school, and most people stay late to participate in clubs, attend FON or S!NG rehearsals, or simply hang out in the halls. I love this community and I would recommend this school to anyone who can handle high academic stress!... Read 711 reviews
#13 Best Public High Schools in America.
Townsend Harris High School
Blue checkmark.
New York City Geographic District No. 25, NY,
9-12,
711 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars.
Featured Review: Senior says Deciding to attend Townsend Harris was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.For starters, the community here is very welcoming, whether it be teachers, students, or admin. Spend a day here and you will see a multitude of friendly interactions between students and teachers in...Another aspect I appreciate is this school’s active student body. There are several major student-led events that occur throughout the year, and virtually all students participate it in. FON and S!NG...I love this community and I would recommend this school to anyone who can handle high academic stress!.
Read 711 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 1,322,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 15 to 1,
View nearby homes
Parent: I have the honor of saying that all three of my children have been students of RLA. The teacher commitment and support has been outstanding. As a parent and educator I appreciate how the teachers, staff and Admin of Rising Leaders goes way beyond to provide my children as well as the entire student body with an education that allows learners to succeed at RLA and prepares them to be successful in their continued education in college. My middle school learner graduated eighth grade with high school credits to help him have a step ahead in the right path towards dual enrollment high school. The additional support and encouragement from my learners teachers has allowed them to achieve amazing EOC scores as well as a love for learning. Rising Leaders is a community that has allowed our children to feel safe and have support during times that school safety is always on our minds. Admin has been supportive in ways that our learners feel confident and comfortable.... Read 27 reviews
#14 Best Public High Schools in America.
Rising Leaders Academy
Blue checkmark.
Bay District Schools, FL,
K-12,
27 Niche users give it an average review of 4.7 stars.
Featured Review: Parent says I have the honor of saying that all three of my children have been students of RLA. The teacher commitment and support has been outstanding. As a parent and educator I appreciate how the teachers,...Rising Leaders is a community that has allowed our children to feel safe and have support during times that school safety is always on our minds. Admin has been supportive in ways that our learners....
Read 27 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 335,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 10 to 1,
View nearby homes
#15 Best Public High Schools in America.
The Academy for Mathematics, Science & Engineering
Blue checkmark.
Morris County Vocational School District, NJ,
9-12,
43 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.
Featured Review: Senior says The Academy for Mathematics, Science & Engineering will fundamentally change any high schooler. With difficult coursework, extremely early mornings, and long days as well as a competitive atmosphere.....
Read 43 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 179,
View nearby homes
Junior: Attending Whitney Young High School has been a positive experience. One aspect is the quality of education provided. AP courses and honors classes are challenging students and preparing them well for college. Extracurricular activities are another highlight. Whitney Young's diverse range of clubs, sports teams, and arts programs allows students to explore their interests and gain new skills. The emphasis on extracurricular involvement helps maintain a strong sense of community. However, one flaw is the pressure and competition among students. The high academic standards and the drive to succeed can create a stressful environment. The emphasis on achieving good grades and securing college admissions could be overwhelming for some people. While the school offers support through counseling services, the competitiveness remains challenging.... Read 1,208 reviews
#16 Best Public High Schools in America.
Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
Blue checkmark.
Chicago Public Schools, IL,
7-12,
1208 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars.
Featured Review: Junior says Attending Whitney Young High School has been a positive experience. One aspect is the quality of education provided. AP courses and honors classes are challenging students and preparing them well for....
Read 1208 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 2,148,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 17 to 1,
View nearby homes
Junior: Junior year of GSMST was fun but also challenging at times. I had friends in most of my classes and all my teachers were nice, which made my experience more enjoyable than in previous years. Another positive was the block schedule implemented this year, which introduced a "Flex" session for the students. This gave me extra time within school hours to complete homework, schedule help sessions with teachers, and hang out with friends or leave school early for wellness purposes. Finally, I enjoyed filming and learning to edit videos with my friends in the Digital Media Club, even if it was tiring at times or stressful because our schedules didn't always match up. Some drawbacks of this year were the course load, as I underestimated some classes as "easy" classes and didn't put in as much work as I should have. My classes also had several large projects, assignments, and assessments that involved lots of work and were often stacked into the same week or day.... Read 529 reviews
#17 Best Public High Schools in America.
Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science & Technology
Blue checkmark.
Gwinnett County Public Schools, GA,
9-12,
529 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars.
Featured Review: Junior says Junior year of GSMST was fun but also challenging at times. I had friends in most of my classes and all my teachers were nice, which made my experience more enjoyable than in previous years. Another....
Read 529 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 1,231,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 16 to 1,
View nearby homes
Senior: This school introduced to me concepts I couldn’t get anywhere if I were to go to my home school. The classes and topics were difficult, having me filled with anxiety over the worry of what will the next year be like. However, I stayed here because of the numerous amount of support and resources we receive here as students. It only got better going into senior year where our navigating the college application process was heavily involved and essentially required throughout the whole year. It was important to me that that was the case, as I wanted to attend higher education for the wishes of my parents and personal goals. Now looking back, I regret not getting more involved with extracurricular activities within the school, as well as being more involved with school activities. Overall, the experience here was challenging but inspiring as I was able to surround myself with other students who had similar interest and goals of mine in regards to education.... Read 227 reviews
#18 Best Public High Schools in America.
School of Science & Engineering
Blue checkmark.
Dallas Independent School District, TX,
9-12,
227 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars.
Featured Review: Senior says This school introduced to me concepts I couldn’t get anywhere if I were to go to my home school. The classes and topics were difficult, having me filled with anxiety over the worry of what will the....
Read 227 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 490,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 18 to 1,
View nearby homes
Senior: I have had a great experience and have came to LASA for better education and better opportunity. One reason why I came here was also because I had heard that there was a better chance at getting into UT Austin so I wanted to enroll the best school for the best education. My goal was to get to UT from Lasa and then find financial Aid such as scholarships to help with my journey. I have been wanting to get to UT or any collage in general to make my parents proud as they did not have a chance to go to collage. Scholarships such as these would really help my accomplish my dream. Not only would it be a big accomplishment for me, it would also make my parents proud and make them feel like they gave me the best life possible.... Read 522 reviews
#19 Best Public High Schools in America.
Liberal Arts & Science Academy
9-12,
522 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.
Featured Review: Senior says I have had a great experience and have came to LASA for better education and better opportunity. One reason why I came here was also because I had heard that there was a better chance at getting into....
Read 522 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 1,432,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 18 to 1,
View nearby homes
Sophomore: It is heavily focused on STEAM topics, as most students have one of those topics that they excel in and take more than 2 grade levels ahead in that class. All default classes are honors classes, and they offer all but two AP Classes with most Juniors or Seniors taking at least four APs. They do offer Middle school athletics, but no Gym/Fitness class or sports for High school students. Pine View is most notable for the academic achievements of Students, as it was a blue ribbon award winning school in 2023 and is consistently rated as one of the top schools in the nation.... Read 375 reviews
#20 Best Public High Schools in America.
Pine View School
Blue checkmark.
Sarasota County Schools, FL,
2-12,
375 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.
Featured Review: Sophomore says It is heavily focused on STEAM topics, as most students have one of those topics that they excel in and take more than 2 grade levels ahead in that class. All default classes are honors classes, and....
Read 375 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 1,689,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 14 to 1,
View nearby homes
Senior: I have had a wonderful experience with The Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities. They are very divers and inclusive. Living in the dorms is an amazing experience that will help you understand what living in college will be like. I recommend staying in the dorms. The teachers care about you learning, not about testing. They want to cultivate a love for learning that they themselves have. This is a school for individuals who want to have a challenge in their learning and collect college credits that will transfer.... Read 387 reviews
#21 Best Public High Schools in America.
Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities
Blue checkmark.
Public School,
MUNCIE, IN,
10-12,
387 Niche users give it an average review of 4.4 stars.
Featured Review: Senior says I have had a wonderful experience with The Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities. They are very divers and inclusive. Living in the dorms is an amazing experience that will help....
Read 387 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 213,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 9 to 1,
View nearby homes
Junior: My experience here at CAMS has been pretty good. Of course there has been ups and downs due to how academically challenging it is, but I have enjoyed my time so far! Some of my best experiences here have been during spirit rally. We were able to take a break from academics and instead focus on the fun aspects that contribute to competing against each other. It brought classes together as a community and even through losses, everyone supported each other. The worst parts would probably have to be around AP testing season due to the fact that we have to balance studying for these tests and class work that has been added on top of all the studying. It is a season with very little sleep. Nonetheless, I am still very grateful to attend this school.... Read 504 reviews
#22 Best Public High Schools in America.
California Academy of Mathematics & Science
Blue checkmark.
Long Beach Unified School District, CA,
9-12,
504 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.
Featured Review: Junior says My experience here at CAMS has been pretty good. Of course there has been ups and downs due to how academically challenging it is, but I have enjoyed my time so far! Some of my best experiences here....
Read 504 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 672,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 27 to 1,
View nearby homes
Review your school
Parent: Stuyvesant represents a solid experience in the public school system. Many people are proud and happy to be here, across varied positions, teachers, administrators, staff, counseling etc. A huge school that manages to foster a sense of community! The students are very competitive with themselves, but for the most part very supportive of each other. Any student can find their passion and their people here, but they need to look and be involved. Fosters independence; diverse socioeconomically; many interesting perspectives; academic rigor; incredible resources; excellent facilities. That being said, not for every student; still need to deal with DOE bureaucracy in a big place; a couple of teachers have checked out or can’t teach; mental health is not the best here. Aside from that overall, Stuyvesant is pretty much what you see is what you get. Lots of pressure junior year. Heavy workload. Little sleep. I would like to see more understanding and focus on mental health.... Read 1,190 reviews
#23 Best Public High Schools in America.
Stuyvesant High School
Blue checkmark.
New York City Geographic District No. 2, NY,
9-12,
1190 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.
Featured Review: Parent says Stuyvesant represents a solid experience in the public school system. Many people are proud and happy to be here, across varied positions, teachers, administrators, staff, counseling etc. A huge....
Read 1190 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 3,247,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 21 to 1,
View nearby homes Virtual tour
Sophomore: Signature School is a great school academically and culturally, I've been able to take 5 AP courses all before my junior year. This school really prepares you for college as most alumni have entered college as a sophomore and higher. Although, since the school is set on academics there aren't to many options for sports. There is a girls and boy's golf club and a track team, and luckily for me as a dancer there is a dance class and dance club. The one thing I would like to see change is the courses. All four years at Signature School is set up for each student to receive an IB diploma which is amazing, but it would be nice for the school to offer level courses and it would be nice for students to be able to choose if they want to go the IB route or take the level classes.... Read 138 reviews
#24 Best Public High Schools in America.
Signature School
Public School,
EVANSVILLE, IN,
9-12,
138 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars.
Featured Review: Sophomore says Signature School is a great school academically and culturally, I've been able to take 5 AP courses all before my junior year. This school really prepares you for college as most alumni have entered....
Read 138 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 393,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 14 to 1,
View nearby homes
Senior: Poolesville is a wonderful learning environment and offers one for the best high school experiences in all of Maryland. The teachers are amazing, helpful, and genuinely seem to care about your success and well-being. The classes available are varied and challenging, with a wide array of AP's being offered. The students themselves are all kind, caring, and supportive, and you can always find help if you need it among your peers. Student involvement is high encouraged at Poolesville, with hundreds of student-run clubs and events to show for it. Overall, the school also offers some for the best college preparedness resources and information. There is always somebody you can ask questions and receive help from. Everything from the academics, students, teachers, resources, involvement, and environment is amazing!... Read 365 reviews
#25 Best Public High Schools in America.
Poolesville High School
Montgomery County Public Schools, MD,
9-12,
365 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.
Featured Review: Senior says Poolesville is a wonderful learning environment and offers one for the best high school experiences in all of Maryland. The teachers are amazing, helpful, and genuinely seem to care about your....
Read 365 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Students: 1,309,
Student-Teacher Ratio: 18 to 1,
View nearby homes
SponsoredCharter School
Imagine Andrews Public Charter School
Prince George's County Public Schools, MD·
K-8
·
Rating 3.75 out of 5 4
SponsoredPrivate School
Loudoun Country Day School
Private School·
LEESBURG, VA·
PK, K-8
·
Rating 4.38 out of 5 13
SponsoredCatholic School
St. Matthew's Catholic School
Private School·
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA·
PK, K-8
·
Rating 4 out of 5 6

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FAQs

The Best Public High Schools in America

The best public high schools in America give us hope for the future. These institutions routinely go beyond academic basics to help the next generation find the path that’s right for them. The teachers are excellent, and the schools offer students all the resources they need to thrive.

No matter where you live, this list of the best high schools can provide you and your child with inspiration for your own school searches. Of course, if you happen to live in the district, all the better.

What goes into selecting the best public high schools?

The takes a lot of different elements into consideration. For each school, we weigh academics, teachers, environment, and extracurriculars.

The largest part of the overall Niche grade is the academics grade, which counts for 60% of the total. We look at both state and national standardized test scores as well as surveys issued to students and parents.

We believe in the value of a diverse student body. Young adults learn from their peers as well as from their teachers. The grades for teachers and for culture and diversity each count for 10% of the whole. Parent/student reviews also make up 10%.

The final 10% equally weighs:

Clubs and activities
Health and safety
Resources and facilities
Sports

Depending on your family’s priorities, you can also view many of these grades individually, allowing you to choose a school that matches your values. In addition, you can filter the list to only show schools that provide particular services or opportunities, such as special education or advanced placement classes.

How are public schools different than private schools?

Your child can find a first-rate education at either a public school or a private school. Each benefits from different advantages. The are:

Price. Public schools are free, while private schools often require tuition.
Funding. Public schools receive government funding, and private schools rely on tuition and grants.
Teachers. Public school teachers need to be certified, while private school teachers don’t.
Admissions and student body. Private schools are more selective, but public schools tend to be more diverse.
Religious affiliation. Public schools are non-denominational by law. Private schools can be associated with a certain religion and may provide religious education as well as secular.

To make the decision that’s best for your family, look at individual schools closely. Both public and private schools range widely in terms of quality.

How can you give your kid the best start in life?

If you’re taking the time to research the best high schools, then your kid is already pretty lucky. You also can check out our for tips on how to find the right school and how to make the most of any school.

A great education sets a child up for life, regardless of their long-term plans. Strong foundations prepare them for future learning, rewarding careers, and thoughtful engagement with the world. Whether they want to be an artist, a mechanic, or a lawyer, they’ll have all the elements they need for success.

2024 Best Public High Schools in America

The Davidson Academy

The Davidson Academy

North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics

North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics

MA Academy for Math & Science School

MA Academy for Math & Science School

Payton College Preparatory High School

Payton College Preparatory High School

Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics

Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics

School for the Talented & Gifted

School for the Talented & Gifted

South Carolina Governor's School for Science & Mathematics

South Carolina Governor's School for Science & Mathematics

Northside College Preparatory High School

Northside College Preparatory High School

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology

Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy

Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy

Staten Island Technical High School

Staten Island Technical High School

Bronx High School of Science

Bronx High School of Science

Townsend Harris High School

Townsend Harris High School

Rising Leaders Academy

Rising Leaders Academy

The Academy for Mathematics, Science & Engineering

The Academy for Mathematics, Science & Engineering

Whitney M. Young Magnet High School

Whitney M. Young Magnet High School

Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science & Technology

Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science & Technology

School of Science & Engineering

School of Science & Engineering

Liberal Arts & Science Academy

Liberal Arts & Science Academy

Pine View School

Pine View School

Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities