The 25 Best Public High Schools in America
It's no secret that a college education is expensive. Millennials are already saving for future college costs to ease the financial burden of student loans on their children.
Parents thinking about the cost of college before their children are in preschool are likely to have already considered which high schools will give their children the best chances of being accepted into a great college.
While an elite private school is a great option for those who can afford it, many parents look to take advantage of the public school systems in their communities. But, just like any other school, not every public school can offer a top-notch education to its students.
To find out which public high schools are the best in the United States, ranking and review site Niche.com collected data on the strength of academics, quality of teachers, school resources, the quality of student life, and student and parent reviews from over 17,000 high schools. While some of these schools require special applications in order for students to be accepted, others only require a proper zip code to attend them.
Schools were then graded based on the quality of seven factors: Academics, Student Culture and Diversity, Teachers, Resources and Facilities, Extracurriculars and Activities, Health and Safety, and Sports and Fitness.
If you're looking to move somewhere with a great public school, try New York or New Jersey. Combined, these two states are home of 13 of the top 20 schools.
Did the high school in your area make the list? Click through to find out.
25. Townsend Harris High School
Queens, NY
Academics Grade: A+
Parent/Student Surveys on Overall Experience: 4.2 out of 5
Student Culture & Diversity Grade: A+
Teachers Grade: A+
Resources & Facilities Grade: B+
Extracurriculars & Activities Grade: Not available
Health & Safety Grade: Not available
Sports & Fitness Grade: Not available
Established in 1848, Townsend Harris High School was reopened in 1984 after it was closed for 42 years due to budgetary constraints. Today, Townsend has 1,151 students in grades 9 through 12.
24. Bronx High School of Science
The Bronx, NY
Academics Grade: A+
Parent/Student Surveys on Overall Experience: 3.9 out of 5
Student Culture & Diversity Grade: A-
Teachers Grade: A+
Resources & Facilities Grade: B
Extracurriculars & Activities Grade: Not available
Health & Safety Grade: Not available
Sports & Fitness Grade: Not available
The Bronx High School of Science was founded in 1938 as an all-boys school, but became co-ed in 1946. Bronx Science has 3,037 students in grades 9 through 12, and is the 6th best public high school in New York State according to Niche.
23. Great Neck South High School
Lake Success, NY
Academics Grade: A+
Parent/Student Surveys on Overall Experience: 4.2 out of 5
Student Culture & Diversity Grade: A-
Teachers Grade: A+
Resources & Facilities Grade: A+
Extracurriculars & Activities Grade: A+
Health & Safety Grade: A
Sports & Fitness Grade: A-
Great Neck South High School was opened in 1958, and is one of three high schools in the Great Neck School District. Great Neck South has 1,216 students in grades 9 through 12.
22. Hinsdale Central High School
Hinsdale, IL
Academics Grade: A+
Parent/Student Surveys on Overall Experience: 4.4 out of 5
Student Culture & Diversity Grade: B
Teachers Grade: A+
Resources & Facilities Grade: A+
Extracurriculars & Activities Grade: A+
Health & Safety Grade: A+
Sports & Fitness Grade: A+
Opened in 1879, Hinsdale Central High School is less than 20 miles from Chicago. It has 2,777 students in grades 9 through 12.
21. Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics & Humanities
Muncie, IN
Academics Grade: A+
Parent/Student Surveys on Overall Experience: 4.5 out of 5
Student Culture & Diversity Grade: A-
Teachers Grade: A+
Resources & Facilities Grade: A+
Extracurriculars & Activities Grade: Not Available
Health & Safety Grade: A+
Sports & Fitness Grade: Not Available
Students at the Academy take advanced, college-level courses and each graduate receives an Indiana Honors Diploma. It has 307 students in grades 11 through 12.
20. Technical School - Teterboro
Westwood, NJ
Academics Grade: A+
Parent/Student Surveys on Overall Experience: 4.6 out of 5
Student Culture & Diversity Grade: A
Teachers Grade: A+
Resources & Facilities Grade: A
Extracurriculars & Activities Grade: B+
Health & Safety Grade: A
Sports & Fitness Grade: C+
The Technical School was originally a shared-time vocational school, but was turned into a full-time, academic high school in 2000. It has 651 students in grades 9 through 12.
19. Rye High School
Rye, NY
Academics Grade: A+
Parent/Student Surveys on Overall Experience: Not Available
Student Culture & Diversity Grade: C+
Teachers Grade: A+
Resources & Facilities Grade: A
Extracurriculars & Activities Grade: A+
Health & Safety Grade: A
Sports & Fitness Grade: A+
Rye High School was built during the great depression in order to create jobs in the area. It has 958 students in grades 9 through 12, and is the 4th best public high school in New York State according to Niche.
18. Academy for Allied Health Science
Scotch Plains Township, NJ
Academics Grade: A+
Parent/Student Surveys on Overall Experience: 4.7 out of 5
Student Culture & Diversity Grade: A+
Teachers Grade: A+
Resources & Facilities Grade: A+
Extracurriculars & Activities Grade: Not Available
Health & Safety Grade: A+
Sports & Fitness Grade: Not Available
The Academy is a full-time Vocational public high school that was established in 2005. It has 262 students in grades 9 through 12, and is the 5th best public high school in New Jersey according to Niche.
17. School for the Talented & Gifted
Dallas, TX
Academics Grade: A+
Parent/Student Surveys on Overall Experience: 4.5 out of 5
Student Culture & Diversity Grade: A+
Teachers Grade: A+
Resources & Facilities Grade: B+
Extracurriculars & Activities Grade: A+
Health & Safety Grade: A-
Sports & Fitness Grade: D-
Established in 1982 as part of a desegregation court order, TAG is a college preparatory magnet school that shares a building with five other magnet schools. It has 247 students in grades 9 through 12.
16. Walter Payton College Prep
Chicago, IL
Academics Grade: A+
Parent/Student Surveys on Overall Experience: 4.3 out of 5
Student Culture & Diversity Grade: A+
Teachers Grade: A+
Resources & Facilities Grade: A-
Extracurriculars & Activities Grade: B
Health & Safety Grade: A-
Sports & Fitness Grade: C
Walter Payton College Prep was founded in 2000, and is one of nine selective enrollment high schools in Chicago. It has 817 students in grades 9 through 12, and is the 4th best public high school in Illinois according to Niche.
15. The Science Academy of South Texas
Mercedes, TX
Academics Grade: A+
Parent/Student Surveys on Overall Experience: 4.7 out of 5
Student Culture & Diversity Grade: A
Teachers Grade: A+
Resources & Facilities Grade: A+
Extracurriculars & Activities Grade: A+
Health & Safety Grade: A
Sports & Fitness Grade: C
The Science Academy of South Texas is an alternative school for students who want to focus on pursuing careers in science, technology, and engineering. SciTech has 781 students in grades 9 through 12.
14. Academy for Information Technology
Scotch Plains Township, NJ
Academics Grade: A+
Parent/Student Surveys on Overall Experience: 4.4 out of 5
Student Culture & Diversity Grade: A
Teachers Grade: A
Resources & Facilities Grade: A
Extracurriculars & Activities Grade: Not Available
Health & Safety Grade: A+
Sports & Fitness Grade: Not Available
AIT is a part of the Union Country Vocational Technical Schools where students focus on subjects in Mathematics and Science. It has 263 students in grades 9 through 12.
13. Jericho Senior High School
Jericho, NY
Academics Grade: A+
Parent/Student Surveys on Overall Experience: 4.1 out of 5
Student Culture & Diversity Grade: B+
Teachers Grade: A+
Resources & Facilities Grade: A+
Extracurriculars & Activities Grade: A+
Health & Safety Grade: A+
Sports & Fitness Grade: A
Jericho Senior High School opened in 1959 and is the only high school in the Jericho Union Free School District. It has 1,164 students in grades 9 through 12, and is the 3rd best public high school in New York State according to Niche.
12. High Tech High School
North Bergen Township, NJ
Academics Grade: A+
Parent/Student Surveys on Overall Experience: 4.4 out of 5
Student Culture & Diversity Grade: A+
Teachers Grade: A+
Resources & Facilities Grade: A+
Extracurriculars & Activities Grade: Not Available
Health & Safety Grade: A+
Sports & Fitness Grade: Not Available
High Tech High School was established in 1991 to provide a technology-based education to students in the community. It has 654 students in grades 9 through 12, and is the 3rd best public high school in New Jersey according to Niche.
11. Bergen County Academies
Hackensack, NJ
Academics Grade: A+
Parent/Student Surveys on Overall Experience: 4.1 out of 5
Student Culture & Diversity Grade: A-
Teachers Grade: A+
Resources & Facilities Grade: A
Extracurriculars & Activities Grade: B+
Health & Safety Grade: A
Sports & Fitness Grade: C-
Established in 1991, the Bergen County Academies is divided into 7 academic and professional schools, ranging from the Academy of Technology and Computer Science to the Academy for Culinary Arts and Hotel Administration. The Academies has 1,060 students in grades 9 through 12.
10. Liberal Arts & Science Academy
Austin, TX
Academics Grade: A+
Parent/Student Surveys on Overall Experience: 4.3 out of 5
Student Culture & Diversity Grade: A
Teachers Grade: A+
Resources & Facilities Grade: B+
Extracurriculars & Activities Grade: A
Health & Safety Grade: A-
Sports & Fitness Grade: C+
The Liberal Arts & Science Academy was established in 2007 by merging the LBJ Science Academy, Austin's first magnet program, with the nearby Liberal Arts Academy. It has 974 students in grades 9 through 12.
9. Louisiana School for Math, Science & The Arts
Natchitoches, LA
Academics Grade: A+
Parent/Student Surveys on Overall Experience: 4.7 out of 5
Student Culture & Diversity Grade: B+
Teachers Grade: A+
Resources & Facilities Grade: A+
Extracurriculars & Activities Grade: B-
Health & Safety Grade: A
Sports & Fitness Grade: C
The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts was opened in 1983, and is a member of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology. The School has 298 students in grades 10 through 12, and is the best public school in Louisiana according to Niche.
8. Northside College Preparatory High School
Chicago, IL
Academics Grade: A+
Parent/Student Surveys on Overall Experience: 4.1 out of 5
Student Culture & Diversity Grade: A+
Teachers Grade: A+
Resources & Facilities Grade: A
Extracurriculars & Activities Grade: A+
Health & Safety Grade: A-
Sports & Fitness Grade: B
Northside College Preparatory High School was established in 1999, and teaches only at the Honors and AP levels. It has 1,069 students in grades 9 through 12, and is the 3rd best public high school in Illinois according to Niche.
7. Young Magnet High School
Chicago, IL
Academics Grade: A+
Parent/Student Surveys on Overall Experience: 4.3 out of 5
Student Culture & Diversity Grade: A+
Teachers Grade: A+
Resources & Facilities Grade: A-
Extracurriculars & Activities Grade: A
Health & Safety Grade: A
Sports & Fitness Grade: A-
Young Magnet High School opened in 1975, and is named after civil rights leader Whitney M. Young, Jr. It has 2,197 students in grades 7 through 12, and is the 2nd best public high school in Illinois according to Niche.
6. Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science & Technology
Lawrenceville Township, GA
Academics Grade: A+
Parent/Student Surveys on Overall Experience: 4.4 out of 5
Student Culture & Diversity Grade: A+
Teachers Grade: A+
Resources & Facilities Grade: A
Extracurriculars & Activities Grade: A-
Health & Safety Grade: A+
Sports & Fitness Grade: D
The GSMST was chartered in 2006 and offers a number of high-level courses to its students. It has 945 students in grades 9 through 12, and is the best public high school in Georgia, according to Niche.
5. Adlai E. Stevenson High School
Lincolnshire, IL
Academics Grade: A+
Parent/Student Surveys on Overall Experience: 4.3 out of 5
Student Culture & Diversity Grade: B+
Teachers Grade: A+
Resources & Facilities Grade: A+
Extracurriculars & Activities Grade: A+
Health & Safety Grade: A+
Sports & Fitness Grade: A+
The Adlai E. Stevenson High School opened in September 1965 and offers more than 200 courses in communication arts, mathematics, science, social science, foreign languages, fine arts, applied arts and physical welfare. It has 3,761 students in grades 9 through 12, and is the best public high school in Illinois, according to Niche.
4. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology
Annandale, VA
Academics Grade: A+
Parent/Student Surveys on Overall Experience: 4.1 out of 5
Student Culture & Diversity Grade: B+
Teachers Grade: A+
Resources & Facilities Grade: B
Extracurriculars & Activities Grade: A
Health & Safety Grade: A+
Sports & Fitness Grade: C+
The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology is a state-chartered magnet school that was founded in 1985. It has 1,843 students in grades 9 through 12, and is the best public high school in Virginia according to Niche.
3. Staten Island Technical High School
Staten Island, NY
Academics Grade: A+
Parent/Student Surveys on Overall Experience: 4.5 out of 5
Student Culture & Diversity Grade: A
Teachers Grade: A+
Resources & Facilities Grade: B+
Extracurriculars & Activities Grade: Not Available
Health & Safety Grade: Not Available
Sports & Fitness Grade: Not Available
Founded in 1988, SITHS is a college preparatory school that focuses on science and engineering. It has 1,235 students in grades 9 through 12, and is the second best public high school in New York according to Niche.
2. High Technology High School
Lincroft, NJ
Academics Grade: A+
Parent/Student Surveys on Overall Experience: 4.6 out of 5
Student Culture & Diversity Grade: B+
Teachers Grade: A+
Resources & Facilities Grade: A-
Extracurriculars & Activities Grade: Not Available
Health & Safety Grade: A-
Sports & Fitness Grade: Not Available
Founded in 1991, High Technology High School is a Magnet public high school that focuses on pre-engineering courses. It has 286 students in grades 9 through 12, and is the best public high school in New Jersey according to Niche.
1. Stuyvesant High School
Manhattan, NY
Academics Grade: A+
Parent/Student Surveys on Overall Experience: 4.1 out of 5
Student Culture & Diversity Grade: A
Teachers Grade: A+
Resources & Facilities Grade: A-
Extracurriculars & Activities Grade: Not Available
Health & Safety Grade: Not Available
Sports & Fitness Grade: Not Available
Stuyvesant is a college preparatory liberal arts high school that emphasizes science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects. It has 3,293 students in grades 9 through 12.
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