Best High Schools

#1

School for the Talented and Gifted

Dallas, TX

#2

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology

Alexandria, VA

#3

School of Science and Engineering

Dallas, TX

See Full Rankings

Best High Schools Rankings by State

Special Features

Best Charter Schools

Charter schools are public schools that operate under charters, tend to have limited enrollment, and usually accept students through an application process. These are the best charter schools in the nation, as calculated by U.S. News.

Best Magnet Schools

Magnet schools are public schools that attract the most talented students in a region via an application process, often involving test scores and grade point averages. U.S. News brings you its list of the nation's best magnet schools.

Best High Schools for Math and Science

We looked at the nearly 600 schools that qualified for gold, silver, and honorable mention in our 2009 Best High Schools rankings, and then evaluated their students' participation rates and performances on AP® exams in math and science.

Most Connected Classrooms

Computers, wireless Internet, interactive digital workspaces, technical support staff, and high online engagement are keys to building a connected classroom. We surveyed schools from our 2009 Best High Schools rankings to gauge their connectivity.

School Administrators: Download and Display Your Badge

If your high school is nationally ranked, display a "U.S. News ranked" badge on your school's website. The Best High Schools badges are free downloads. For other uses, contact Wright's Media at usnews@wrightsmedia.com or (877) 652-5295.

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