National Rankings Best High Schools

School for the Talented and Gifted

Dallas, TX | Dallas Independent School District

#1 in National Rankings

The School for the Talented and Gifted follows the state's Distinguished Achievement Program and places an emphasis on Advanced Placement curriculum — a minimum of 11 AP courses are required for graduation. Students at the School for the Talented and Gifted may conduct field research via partnerships with local universities, take electives such as Web mastery and enroll in mini-courses like ballroom dancing or glass blowing during interim terms. more

BASIS Scottsdale

Scottsdale, AZ | BASIS School Inc.

#2 in National Rankings

BASIS Scottsdale is ranked 1st within Arizona. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® course work and exams. The AP® participation rate at BASIS Scottsdale is 100 percent. The student body makeup is 54 percent male and 46 percent female, and the total minority enrollment is 53 percent. BASIS Scottsdale is the only high school in the BASIS School Inc.. more

BASIS Tucson North

Tucson, AZ | BASIS School Inc.

#3 in National Rankings

BASIS Tucson North is ranked 2nd within Arizona. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® course work and exams. The AP® participation rate at BASIS Tucson North is 100 percent. The student body makeup is 50 percent male and 50 percent female, and the total minority enrollment is 48 percent. BASIS Tucson North is the only high school in the BASIS School Inc.. more

School of Science and Engineering

Dallas, TX | Dallas Independent School District

#4 in National Rankings

Students at the School of Science and Engineering start Advanced Placement courses their freshman year and can earn college credit via dual-enrollment opportunities with several area community colleges and universities. Located in a complex that houses five other magnet schools, the School of Science and Engineering offers AP courses in calculus, biology and statistics, among others. Parents can get involved through fundraising and by hosting college planning nights. more

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

Alexandria, VA | Fairfax County Public Schools

#5 in National Rankings

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology uses a STEM-focused curriculum that starts with the Integrated Biology, English and Technology program and culminates with a technical lab project for seniors. The school boasts more than 10 specialized research labs, ranging from astrophysics to oceanography. Extracurricular activities at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology include cultural groups such as the Persian Club and a variety of athletic teams. more

BASIS Oro Valley

Oro Valley, AZ | BASIS School Inc.

#6 in National Rankings

BASIS Oro Valley is ranked 3rd within Arizona. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® course work and exams. The AP® participation rate at BASIS Oro Valley is 100 percent. The student body makeup is 53 percent male and 47 percent female, and the total minority enrollment is 39 percent. BASIS Oro Valley is the only high school in the BASIS School Inc.. more

Pine View School

Osprey, FL | Sarasota County Schools

#7 in National Rankings

The curriculum at Pine View School mixes traditional classroom learning with independent study, mini-courses and ungraded classes. Pine View School places a strong emphasis on parent involvement through volunteering and fundraising opportunities, open houses, newsletters and field trips. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average and complete advanced foreign language courses to graduate. Extracurricular activities at Pine View include the programming and rowing clubs, Model United Nations and National Honor Society. more

Academic Magnet High School

North Charleston, SC | Charleston County School District

#8 in National Rankings

Academic Magnet High School aims to "challenge each student, teacher and parent with high academic expectations." All courses offered at Academic Magnet High School are either honors or Advanced Placement courses, and every student completes a yearlong independent research project. Students' work has been published in multiple academic and professional journals. Students can stay connected with Wi-Fi access in the cafeteria and three computer labs. more

International Academy

Bloomfield Hills, MI | Bloomfield Hills Schools

#9 in National Rankings

Every student at the International Academy participates in the International Baccalaureate program, which emphasizes academics alongside community service. Through the IB program, students can earn up to a year of college credit prior to graduation. The International Academy also offers enrichment opportunities ranging from career mentorships to international trips. Parent engagement efforts include newsletters and volunteer opportunities. The International Academy has campuses in Bloomfield Hills, Troy and White Lake. more

Carnegie Vanguard High School

Houston, TX | Houston Independent School District

#10 in National Rankings

Carnegie Vanguard High School’s curriculum consists of Advanced Placement and pre-AP courses, as well as honors electives. Carnegie students must take at least seven AP courses to graduate. Students at Carnegie Vanguard High School consistently exceed state and national averages on SAT and ACT exams. Carnegie places a strong emphasis on community involvement and requires every student to complete 100 hours of community service prior to graduation. more

High Technology High School

Lincroft, NJ | Monmouth County Vocational School District

#11 in National Rankings

High Technology High School’s curriculum is engineering centric, with courses in civil engineering and architecture, computer integrated manufacturing and digital electronics. Students at High Technology High School can earn college credit for core course work through partnerships with Rochester Institute of Technology, Georgian Court University and Brookdale Community College. The school encourages parent involvement through an active Parent Faculty Association, open houses and fundraising opportunities. more

International Academy of Macomb

Clinton Township, MI | Chippewa Valley Schools

#12 in National Rankings

International Academy of Macomb is ranked 2nd within Michigan. Students have the opportunity to take International Baccalaureate course work and exams. The IB participation rate at International Academy of Macomb is 100 percent. The student body makeup is 47 percent male and 53 percent female, and the total minority enrollment is 19 percent. International Academy of Macomb is 1 of 4 high schools in the Chippewa Valley Schools. more

Arizona College Prep -- Erie Campus

Chandler, AZ | Chandler Unified School District

#13 in National Rankings

Arizona College Prep -- Erie Campus is ranked 4th within Arizona. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® course work and exams. The AP® participation rate at Arizona College Prep -- Erie Campus is 100 percent. The student body makeup is 45 percent male and 55 percent female, and the total minority enrollment is 36 percent. Arizona College Prep -- Erie Campus is 1 of 7 high schools in the Chandler Unified School District. more

Biotechnology High School

Freehold, NJ | Monmouth County Vocational School District

#14 in National Rankings

The Biotechnology High School focuses on a collaborative learning experience that includes project-based learning, scholarly research and interactive partnerships. Students at the Biotechnology High School are required to complete a senior internship. Past internship placements include Rutgers University, Bristol-Myers Squibb and area biotech firms. Biotechnology High School offers an International Baccalaureate program, as well as courses in molecular and agricultural biotechnology, genetics and forensics. The Parent Student Faculty Association engages parents in their child’s education. more

High School of American Studies at Lehman College

Bronx, NY | New York City Public Schools

#15 in National Rankings

The High School of American Studies (HSAS) at Lehman College specializes in American history. In addition to history, the High School of American Studies at Lehman College offers Advanced Placement courses in English, calculus and chemistry. To supplement in-class learning, HSAS students travel to historical sites and attend seminars with guest speakers. Juniors and seniors at HSAS can enroll in courses at Lehman College, and all students are encouraged to embark on individual research projects. more

Nova Classical Academy Upper School

Saint Paul, MN | Nova Classical Academy

#16 in National Rankings

Nova Classical Academy Upper School is ranked 1st within Minnesota. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® course work and exams. The AP® participation rate at Nova Classical Academy Upper School is 100 percent. The student body makeup is 46 percent male and 54 percent female, and the total minority enrollment is 20 percent. Nova Classical Academy Upper School is the only high school in the Nova Classical Academy. more

KIPP Academy Charter School

Bronx, NY | New York City Public Schools

#17 in National Rankings

KIPP Academy Charter School is ranked 2nd within New York. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® course work and exams. The AP® participation rate at KIPP Academy Charter School is 100 percent. The student body makeup is 51 percent male and 49 percent female, and the total minority enrollment is 100 percent. KIPP Academy Charter School is 1 of 523 high schools in the New York City Public Schools. more

Signature School

Evansville, IN | Signature School Inc

#18 in National Rankings

Signature School offers Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses, and its students consistently outscore state and national averages on college entrance exams. In addition to AP and IB courses, students can choose from electives such as psychology and piano lab. All Signature School students are expected to complete a minimum number of community service hours. Parent involvement at Signature includes the Parent Teacher Student Association, which organizes fundraisers and supplies volunteers for school events. more

Whitney High School

Cerritos, CA | ABC Unified School District

#19 in National Rankings

Gretchen Whitney High School offers a variety of honors and Advanced Placement courses, including computer science, physics and Model United Nations. Students can earn extra weight in the University of California admissions index via successful completion of certain honors and AP courses. Admission to Whitney High School is selective and is based on state and district assessments and class rank. Parent involvement at Whitney High includes conferences, field trip participation and fundraising opportunities. more

Design and Architecture Senior High

Miami, FL | Miami-Dade County Public Schools

#20 in National Rankings

Academic programs at Design and Architecture Senior High (DASH) include fashion, entertainment, visual communications, fine art, architecture and industrial design. Students at DASH combine courses from their chosen programs with traditional math, science and language arts courses offered with honors and AP options. Admittance to Design and Architecture Senior High requires online and in-person auditions and an optional workshop. Parents can participate in the school’s Parent Teacher Student Association. more