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Map Shows Best Public High Schools Across U.S.
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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The map below shows where the best high schools in the country are, according to the U.S. News & World Report's rankings.
How Were The Schools Ranked?
The rankings include data on more than 24,000 public high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Almost 18,000 of those schools were ranked on six factors, including their performance on state-required tests and how well they prepare students for college.
The graduation rate—the proportion of entering ninth-graders who graduated four academic years later—is also taken into account. Underserved student performance was also a factor, with scores on state assessments aggregated just among students who are Black, Hispanic and from low-income households compared with what is typical in the state for non-underserved students, with parity for higher being the goal.
Which Are The Best U.S. High Schools?
1. BASIS Tucson North in Tucson, Arizona
BASIS Tucson North scored 100 out of a possible 100.
The charter school serves fifth- through 12th-graders, and there are 226 students enrolled in grades nine through 12.
Students at the school are required to start taking Advanced Placement classes and exams in ninth grade.
2. Signature School in Evansville, Indiana
Signature School scored 99.99.
The school offers Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses, and all students are also expected to complete a minimum number of community service hours.
There are 378 students in grades nine through 12 and total minority enrollment is 38 percent. Some 9 percent of students are economically disadvantaged.
3. Central Magnet School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Central Magnet School scored 99.98.
The school, ranked first in Tennessee, offers Advanced Placement coursework and exams and the participation rate is 100 percent.
The school has 784 students enrolled in grades nine through 12, and 26 percent minority enrollment.
4. Davidson Academy in Reno, Nevada
Davidson Academy also scored 99.98.
The school, ranked first within Nevada, also offers Advanced Placement coursework and exams with 100 percent of students participating.
The school has 121 students in grades nine through 12, with 72 percent minority enrollment.
5. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Virginia
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology scored 99.97.
The school uses a STEM-focused curriculum, offering courses such as DNA science, advanced marine biology and automation and robotics.
There are 2,015 students in grades nine through 12, and a majority of students (63.3 percent) are Asian. About 13 percent of students are economically disadvantaged.
6. Albuquerque Institute of Math and Science in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque Institute of Math and Science scored 99.97.
The school, ranked first in New Mexico, offers Advanced Placement coursework and exams, and has a 100 percent participation rate.
The school has 145 students in grades nine through 12, and the total minority enrollment is 74 percent. About 3 percent of students are economically disadvantaged.
A stock photo shows an empty classroom.
A stock photo shows an empty classroom.
iStock
7. Haas Hall Bentonville in Bentonville, Arkansas
Haas Hall Bentonville scored 99.96.
The school, ranked first in Arkansas, offers Advanced Placement coursework and exams, and has a 100 percent participation rate.
It has 282 students enrolled in grades nine through 12, and the total minority enrollment is 53 percent. About 2 percent of students are economically disadvantaged.
8. Julia R. Masterman Secondary School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Julia R. Masterman Secondary School scored 99.96.
The school offers Advanced Placement coursework and exams, and the participation rate is 99 percent.
The school has 465 students enrolled in grades nine through 12. The total minority enrollment is 60 percent and 100 percent of students are economically disadvantaged.
9. The School for the Talented and Gifted in Dallas, Texas
The School for the Talented and Gifted scored 99.95.
The school offers 30 Advanced Placement courses and students are required to take 12 to graduate.
There are 546 students enrolled in grades nine through 12. The total minority enrollment is 66 percent, and 41 percent of students are economically disadvantaged.
10. Aiken Scholars Academy in Aiken, South Carolina
Aiken Scholars Academy scored 99.94.
The school offers Advanced Placement coursework and exams, and the participation rate is 100 percent.
The school has 179 students in grades nine through 12. The total minority enrollment is 34 percent and 31 percent of students are economically disadvantaged.
The full list can be viewed on the U.S. News & World Report's website.
