These are 50 of the best public high schools in America

As the world continues to grow more intellectually advanced, so does the quality of academics, even at the earliest levels. A study from the Harvard Graduate School of Education found that children who experience quality early childhood education are less likely to be placed in special education, less likely to be held back a grade, and more likely to graduate from high school. Since many parents see their children’s first foray into formal education as a “make-or-break gauntlet” that will define the course of their child’s academic career, it stands to reason that this stress could only be amplified when it comes to choosing a high school, the time in a young person’s life when they undergo many emotional, physical, and psychological changes.

The average all-in four-year cost of sending a child to university is approximately $129,000, according to the CollegeBoard, a figure so staggeringly large that parents of all income levels are constantly scrambling to find new ways to save. One of the best and most obvious ways to do that is by avoiding the astronomically high tuition and fees mandated by private and boarding high schools, and instead opting for some of the best free public schools the nation has to offer.

In seeking to keep the decision-making process as local as possible for parents, Stacker referenced Niche’s 2021 Best Public Schools data in order to list the best public high schools in every state. These range from magnet and charter schools, to regular schools that operate with classic curricula and are part of the general state school systems. Many of these programs focus on specific areas like STEM studies, while others offer dual-enrollment opportunities at nearby universities. Nearly all of these schools excel in Advanced Placement (AP) coursework, and many of these schools are available by application only.

Read on and consider sending your child to the best public school in your home state!

You may also like: 100 best community colleges in America

Alabama: Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School

– Location: Montgomery, AL
– National rank: #49
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 513 (60% female; 40% male)
– Racial composition: 38.6% White; 29.6% Asian; 25.5% African American; 3.3% Hispanic
– Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 95%
— Math proficient: 95%
— AP enrollment: 93%

Ranked first in Alabama, Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School is known for its high participation of students in Advanced Placement coursework. According to U.S. News & World report, nearly 100 percent of students participate in AP courses. There is also a high level of diversity at the school, with a 64 percent minority enrollment, and 13 percent of students are from low income families.

Alaska: Mat-Su Career and Tech Education High School

– Location: Wasilla, AK
– National rank: N/A
– Grades offered: 8-12
– Students: 701 (52% female; 48% male)
– Racial composition: 74.9% White; 10.6% Native American; 6.7% Multiracial; 4.1% Hispanic
– Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 77%
— Math proficient: 62%
— AP enrollment: 15%

Mat-Su Career and Tech Education High School is one of the top schools in Alaska for college preparedness. According to GreatSchools.org, its student participation in college preparatory work is well above the state average. For example, 27 percent of students participate in AP coursework, while the state average is 12 percent. Forty-five percent of students participate in the SATs or ACTs, while the state average is 13 percent.

Arizona: BASIS Scottsdale

– Location: Scottsdale, AZ
– National rank: #19
– Grades offered: 5-12
– Students: 1,081 (46% female; 54% male)
– Racial composition: 48.3% Asian; 39.0% White; 6.2% Hispanic; 4.7% Multiracial
– Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 88%
— Math proficient: 92%
— AP enrollment: 95%

BASIS Scottsdale opened in 2003 as a charter school in Arizona. The class of 2019 earned more than $7 million in merit-based scholarships to attend university. Nearly 100 percent of students participate in AP coursework, according to U.S. News & World Report, and there is a minority enrollment of 65 percent.

Arkansas: Haas Hall Academy

– Location: Fayetteville, AR
– National rank: #246
– Grades offered: 7-12
– Students: 466 (49% female; 51% male)
– Racial composition: 74.0% White; 7.9% Asian; 7.7% Multiracial; 7.3% Hispanic
– Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 96%
— Math proficient: 94%
— AP enrollment: 71%

Arkansas’ Haas Hall Academy is a charter school with less than 400 students between grades seven through 12. GreatSchools.org ranks it a 10/10 for college readiness, with an average SAT score of 1375. More than 70 percent of students participate in AP coursework, while the state average is 21 percent.

California: Canyon Crest Academy

– Location: San Diego, CA
– National rank: #30
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 2,572 (50% female; 50% male)
– Racial composition: 53.5% White; 33.9% Asian; 7.5% Hispanic; 4.0% Multiracial
– Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 90%
— Math proficient: 82%
— AP enrollment: 57%

Canyon Crest Academy, located in San Diego, is a leading high school particularly in the STEM fields of study. CCA has a department called QUEST, which allows its students to study science as they would in the real world, including conducting independent research.

Colorado: Cherry Creek High School

– Location: Greenwood Village, CO
– National rank: #192
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 3,720 (50% female; 50% male)
– Racial composition: 66.5% White; 12.7% Hispanic; 12.6% Asian; 4.6% Multiracial
– Student-teacher ratio: 21:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 78%
— Math proficient: 80%
— AP enrollment: 34%

Cherry Creek High School, located in Greenwood Village, Colorado, is a grades nine through 12 school with roughly 3,600 students. GreatSchools.org gives it a 9/10 for college readiness, thanks to its graduation rate, SAT participation rate, AP course participation rate, and average SAT scores, all of which are well above the Colorado state averages.

Connecticut: Staples High School

– Location: Westport, CT
– National rank: #103
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 1,858 (48% female; 52% male)
– Racial composition: 84.0% White; 5.9% Asian; 5.8% Hispanic; 2.4% African American
– Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 91%
— Math proficient: 79%
— AP enrollment: 36%

Founded in the late 19th century, Staples High School is a public high school for grades nine through 12. It has an enrollment of 1,800 students, all of whom are active participants in the art, music, athletics, theater, and media programs. From the class of 2020, there were five National Merit Scholars, eight National Merit Semifinalists, 16 National AP Scholars, and 140 AP Scholars.

Delaware: Charter School of Wilmington

– Location: Wilmington, DE
– National rank: #71
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 972 (49% female; 51% male)
– Racial composition: 52.5% White; 32.0% Asian; 7.8% African American; 4.7% Hispanic
– Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 98%
— Math proficient: 93%
— AP enrollment: 42%

When looking to the future, STEM field careers tend to have longevity and good projected job growth, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Of the roughly 5,000 STEM high schools in America, Newsweek ranks the Charter School of Wilmington as No. 94 for STEM studies.

Florida: Pine View School

– Location: Osprey, FL
– National rank: #39
– Grades offered: 2-12
– Students: 1,925 (49% female; 51% male)
– Racial composition: 66.6% White; 14.5% Asian; 10.3% Hispanic; 7.1% Multiracial
– Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 99%
— Math proficient: 99%
— AP enrollment: 77%

Florida’s Pine View School is a public school that serves grades two through 12 with a student enrollment of nearly 2,000. GreatSchools.org ranks it a 10/10 for college readiness, thanks to its 100 percent graduation rate, average SAT score of 1374, average ACT score of 30, and more than 70 percent of AP course participation. These are all above the state’s averages.

Georgia: Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology

– Location: Lawrenceville, GA
– National rank: #16
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 1,098 (46% female; 54% male)
– Racial composition: 45.8% Asian; 22.1% African American; 17.8% White; 10.2% Hispanic
– Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 95%
— Math proficient: 99%
— AP enrollment: 68%

Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology is a theme high school with a focus on STEM fields. Part of the success of students is that they complete the majority of their high school diploma coursework by the end of 10th grade, leaving the final two years to participate in studies and internships in bioscience, engineering, and emerging technologies.

You may also like: Best Place to Live in Every State

Hawaii: Mililani High School

– Location: Mililani, HI
– National rank: N/A
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 2,616 (48% female; 52% male)
– Racial composition: 40.9% Asian; 17.5% Multiracial; 17.5% Pacific Islander; 11.3% White
– Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 73%
— Math proficient: 47%
— AP enrollment: 16%

Hawaii’s Mililani High School, located in Honolulu, was ranked 10/10 by GreatSchools.org in terms of college readiness. This is because 94 percent of students graduate within four years, and the participation in ACTs and AP courses are well above the state averages.

Idaho: Boise Senior High School

– Location: Boise, ID
– National rank: #813
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 1,496 (51% female; 49% male)
– Racial composition: 82.6% White; 5.9% Hispanic; 4.7% African American; 3.5% Asian
– Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 74%
— Math proficient: 55%
— AP enrollment: 43%

Boise Senior High School serves grades nine through 12 in Boise, Idaho. According to the Idaho State Department of Education, the school is considered to be a Goal Maker and Top Performer. This means the school ranks in the 90th percentile or above on core indicators.

Illinois: Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy

– Location: Aurora, IL
– National rank: #8
– Grades offered: 10-12
– Students: 647 (50% female; 50% male)
– Racial composition: 43.0% Asian; 37.1% White; 7.7% Hispanic; 7.0% African American
– Student-teacher ratio: 12:1

The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy is a STEM-focused high school that covers 10th through 12th grades. Its students are in the hands of highly educated teachers, as 57 percent of faculty have doctoral degrees. All teachers have master’s degrees. The graduating class of 2019 had a mean SAT score of 1445.

Indiana: Signature School

– Location: Evansville, IN
– National rank: #33
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 390 (57% female; 43% male)
– Racial composition: 70.0% White; 16.9% Asian; 6.4% Multiracial; 4.4% Hispanic
– Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 95%
— Math proficient: 87%
— AP enrollment: 99%

A charter high school in Evansville, Signature School places emphasis on engaging with the world around it. For example, the school resides in a renovated 1920s hotel, and the gym is the Ascension St. Vincent YMCA. Two public libraries are within walking distance, and the school abuts the IU School of Medicine’s Stone Family Center for Health Sciences. For the class of 2019, there were 27 AP scholars and a mean GPA of 3.98.

Iowa: West Senior High School

– Location: Iowa City, IA
– National rank: #363
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 1,515 (49% female; 51% male)
– Racial composition: 54.7% White; 19.3% African American; 11.3% Asian; 8.8% Hispanic
– Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 83%
— Math proficient: 89%
— AP enrollment: 28%

West Senior High School, located in Iowa City, is renowned for its college readiness, which, according to GreatSchools.org, is ranked 9/10. Ninety-five percent of students graduate high school in four years, with an average ACT score of 26. Seventy-four percent of students pass one or more AP exams. The state average is 59 percent.

Kansas: Blue Valley North High School

– Location: Overland Park, KS
– National rank: #119
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 1,469 (49% female; 51% male)
– Racial composition: 70.6% White; 12.5% Asian; 7.0% Hispanic; 5.4% African American
– Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 51%
— Math proficient: 50%
— AP enrollment: 44%

Overland Park’s Blue Valley North High School received a perfect score from GreatSchools.org when it comes to college preparation. Not only do 97 percent of students graduate within four years, but the average ACT score is 26, while the state’s average is 22. More than 40 percent of students participate in AP courses, as well, while the state’s average is 13 percent.

Kentucky: DuPont Manual High School

– Location: Louisville, KY
– National rank: #63
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 1,919 (59% female; 41% male)
– Racial composition: 59.4% White; 18.0% Asian; 14.9% African American; 4.8% Hispanic
– Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 93%
— Math proficient: 85%
— AP enrollment: 81%

DuPont Manual High School serves grades nine through 12 as part of the Jefferson County Public School District. It opened in 1892 as an all-male manual training school. It transitioned to a standard curriculum by the 1970s. Today, all students enroll in one of five magnet programs, including college prep, math/science/technology, journalism, visual arts, and performing arts.

Louisiana: Benjamin Franklin High School

– Location: New Orleans, LA
– National rank: #134
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 995 (59% female; 41% male)
– Racial composition: 37.3% White; 29.7% African American; 19.1% Asian; 7.4% Multiracial
– Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 99%
— Math proficient: 99%
— AP enrollment: 76%

Located in New Orleans, Benjamin Franklin High School is both a charter high school and magnet high school, founded in 1957 as a school for academically gifted students. Through a partnership with the University of New Orleans students have access to elevated learning resources, such as a dual-enrollment program, university library access, access to library journals like JSTOR, and more.

Maine: Maine School of Science and Mathematics

– Location: Limestone, ME
– National rank: #101
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 127 (45% female; 55% male)
– Racial composition: 88.2% White; 7.1% Asian; 2.4% Multiracial; 1.6% Hispanic
– Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 90%
— Math proficient: 90%
— AP enrollment: 52%

Dedicated to STEM fields, the Maine School of Science and Mathematics is a magnet high school for kids not only from Maine, but around the world. The school’s signature J-Term (January Term) is a 10-day program that gives students the opportunity to dedicate themselves to a particular subject or project, including genetics research, internships, and on-campus offerings.

Maryland: Poolesville High School

– Location: Poolesville, MD
– National rank: #31
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 1,185 (50% female; 50% male)
– Racial composition: 48.9% White; 31.5% Asian; 8.2% Hispanic; 5.7% African American
– Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 72%
— Math proficient: 95%
— AP enrollment: 65%

Poolesville High School is a public magnet high school with three separate programs: Global Ecology, Humanities, and Science/Math/Computer Science. The school is also enrolled in Project Lead the Way, a national, four-year program that combines math and science courses in high school to help students focus and specialize in engineering.

You may also like: The Most Iconic Building in Every State

Massachusetts: Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science

– Location: Worcester, MA
– National rank: #2
– Grades offered: 11-12
– Students: 98 (47% female; 53% male)
– Racial composition: 50.0% Asian; 35.7% White; 8.2% Multiracial; 4.1% Hispanic
– Student-teacher ratio: 16:1

Designed for students who excel in math and science, the Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science is a magnet school that serves kids in grades 11 and 12. The rigorous curriculum includes more than 1,100 hours of academics in junior year alone. In senior year, students are enrolled in classes at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Michigan: International Academy

– Location: Bloomfield Hills, MI
– National rank: #69
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 1,371 (52% female; 48% male)
– Racial composition: 51.0% White; 39.0% Asian; 3.0% African American; 2.0% Multiracial
– Student-teacher ratio: 108:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 96%
— Math proficient: 98%
— AP enrollment: unavailable

Michigan’s International Academy is the first International Baccalaureate Diploma Program public high school on the continent. The magnet school has three campuses and requires its graduates to complete both a regular high school diploma, and an International Baccalaureate one, as well, which is a two-year program based on extended essays, theory of knowledge, and self-reflection and growth.

Minnesota: Minnetonka Senior High School

– Location: Minnetonka, MN
– National rank: #156
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 3,280 (50% female; 50% male)
– Racial composition: 84.2% White; 5.8% Asian; 3.8% African American; 3.8% Hispanic
– Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 78%
— Math proficient: 70%
— AP enrollment: 46%

When it comes to preparing its students for college, Minnetonka Senior High School is the best in the state. GreatSchools.org gives it a 10/10 for students’ above-average performance. Ninety-six percent of students graduate within four years, above the 84 percent state average. Nearly 50 percent of students participate in AP courses, while the state average is 19 percent.

Mississippi: The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science

– Location: Columbus, MS
– National rank: #12
– Grades offered: 11-12
– Students: 238 (61% female; 39% male)
– Racial composition: 57.1% White; 24.4% African American; 14.7% Asian; 2.1% Multiracial
– Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 100%
— Math proficient: 100%
— AP enrollment: 78%

Designed for 11th and 12th grade students who are gifted in math and science, the Mississippi School of Math and Science offers more than 100 different courses, as well as additional courses at Mississippi University for Women and Mississippi State University at no additional cost.

Missouri: Ladue Horton Watkins High School

– Location: St Louis, MO
– National rank: #59
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 1,311 (48% female; 52% male)
– Racial composition: 58.3% White; 16.0% African American; 15.0% Asian; 6.0% Hispanic
– Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 72%
— Math proficient: 79%
— AP enrollment: 40%

Located in Ladue, Missouri, Ladue Horton Watkins High School is one of the best public high schools in the state for college preparation. Ninety-nine percent of students graduate within four years, which is above the state’s average of 90 percent, per GreatSchools.org. The average ACT score of students is 26, while the state average is 21.

Montana: Bozeman High School

– Location: Bozeman, MT
– National rank: N/A
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 2,204 (51% female; 49% male)
– Racial composition: 88.1% White; 4.6% Hispanic; 2.4% Multiracial; 2.0% Asian
– Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 68%
— Math proficient: 52%
— AP enrollment: 29%

Bozeman High School is ranked the best public high school in Montana. GreatSchools.org reports that 85 percent of students graduate in four years, which is just under the state average of 87 percent. However, the average ACT score of students is 22, while the state average is 20. The percentage of students participating in AP coursework is above state average, as well.

Nebraska: Millard North High School

– Location: Omaha, NE
– National rank: #452
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 2,573 (50% female; 50% male)
– Racial composition: 74.7% White; 9.0% Asian; 7.9% Hispanic; 4.3% Multiracial
– Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 72%
— Math proficient: 67%
— AP enrollment: 33%

Millard North High School is another public high school in the nation that offers the International Baccalaureate – Middle Years Programme. This program offers additional academic coursework for students ages 11-16 to help achieve higher levels of problem solving and analysis. Students also have the option to enroll in courses at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Nevada: The Davidson Academy

– Location: Reno, NV
– National rank: #7
– Grades offered: 5-12
– Students: 189 (49% female; 51% male)
– Racial composition: 61.4% White; 33.3% Asian; 3.2% Hispanic; 1.6% African American
– Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 95%
— Math proficient: 95%
— AP enrollment: unavailable

With the slogan, “For Profoundly Gifted Middle and High School Students,” it’s no wonder the Davidson Academy is the best public school in Nevada. One of its key offerings is the Personalized Learning Plan, which allows students to expand on a core curriculum to reflect their interests and passions.

New Hampshire: Hanover High School

– Location: Hanover, NH
– National rank: #176
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 749 (50% female; 50% male)
– Racial composition: 83.6% White; 7.3% Asian; 4.4% Multiracial; 3.2% Hispanic
– Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 95%
— Math proficient: 82%
— AP enrollment: unavailable

New Hampshire’s Hanover High School is a public high school established in 1888. Today, it is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. One of its offerings for students is a program called March Intensive, an annual, week-long program that deviates from typical course offerings and encourages students to take risks learning outside the ordinary high school experience. There are no letter grades during this period in order to encourage students to learn for learning’s sake.

New Jersey: Bergen County Academies

– Location: Hackensack, NJ
– National rank: #1
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 1,098 (52% female; 48% male)
– Racial composition: 51.4% Asian; 37.8% White; 7.7% Hispanic; 2.4% African American
– Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 98%
— Math proficient: 99%
— AP enrollment: 47%

The Bergen County Academies is a public magnet high school built around seven academic and professional divisions. The programs are designed to help students choose a concentration based upon interests, from science and art, to music, theater, cooking, design, finance, and more.

You may also like: 50 Images of Parenthood in the Animal Kingdom

New Mexico: La Cueva High School

– Location: Albuquerque, NM
– National rank: N/A
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 1,762 (48% female; 52% male)
– Racial composition: 45.1% White; 37.3% Hispanic; 10.3% Asian; 4.5% Multiracial
– Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 64%
— Math proficient: 42%
— AP enrollment: 38%

Albuquerque’s La Cueva High School is one of the best public high schools in the state for preparing students for college. Eighty-five percent of students graduate within four years, which is above the state’s average at 71 percent. Nearly 40 percent of students participate in AP courses, as well, while the state average is 19 percent.

New York: Stuyvesant High School

– Location: New York, NY
– National rank: #6
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 3,319 (43% female; 57% male)
– Racial composition: 72.6% Asian; 18.9% White; 3.6% Multiracial; 3.0% Hispanic
– Student-teacher ratio: 21:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 99%
— Math proficient: 99%
— AP enrollment: 56%

New York City’s Stuyvesant High School is a magnet, specialized high school that offers accelerated academic programs to residents of New York City. Those who are admitted to Stuyvesant pass the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test. Its academics are best known for the science and math programs, however, the school also offers a wide range of humanities, foreign language, philosophy, economics, and government programs.

North Carolina: North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics

– Location: Durham, NC
– National rank: #4
– Grades offered: 11-12
– Students: 680
– Student-teacher ratio: 7:1

The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics is a residential public high school and is one of the founding members of the National Consortium of Secondary Stem Schools. The school offers students ample opportunity to participate in research in a variety of fields, from STEM to humanities, across research experience courses, research programs, entrepreneur programs, and mentorship programs.

North Dakota: Fargo Davies High School

– Location: Fargo, ND
– National rank: N/A
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 1,274 (51% female; 49% male)
– Racial composition: 76.2% White; 15.7% African American; 4.2% Asian; 1.3% Hispanic
– Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 49%
— Math proficient: 48%
— AP enrollment: 34%

When it’s time to head to college, graduates of Fargo Davies High School find themselves doing better than graduates from other public high schools in the state. According to GreatSchools.org, 95 percent of students graduate within four years, while the state average is 92 percent. The average ACT score of students is 21, while the state average is 19.

Ohio: Indian Hill High School

– Location: Cincinnati, OH
– National rank: #51
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 639 (49% female; 51% male)
– Racial composition: 78.9% White; 10.0% Asian; 3.9% Multiracial; 3.8% African American
– Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 92%
— Math proficient: 77%
— AP enrollment: 60%

Indian Hill High School is a top public high school in Ohio, especially when it comes to preparing its students for college. The school offers 28 AP courses, of which 60 percent of students take advantage. The state average is 13 percent. GreatSchools.org reports that 65 percent of students take the SATs, while the state average is 9 percent.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics

– Location: Oklahoma City, OK
– National rank: #24
– Grades offered: 11-12
– Students: 150 (50% female; 50% male)
– Student-teacher ratio: 6:1

The Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics is a two-year residential high school and is a member of the National Consortium of Secondary STEM Schools. It has a student-faculty ratio of 5:1 and 70 percent of professors have earned a Ph.D. The school has more than 65 course offerings and 100 percent of graduates go on to college.

Oregon: School of Science and Technology

– Location: Beaverton, OR
– National rank: #402
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 162 (27% female; 73% male)
– Racial composition: 56.8% White; 20.4% Asian; 13.6% Hispanic; 5.6% Multiracial
– Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 85%
— Math proficient: 75%
— AP enrollment: 47%

The School of Science and Technology (today known as the Beaverton Academy of Science and Engineering) is a magnet school for students who have a particular interest in the STEM fields. Students can choose from a variety of pathways, like biomedicine, computer science, and engineering.

Pennsylvania: Julia R. Masterman Secondary School

– Location: Philadelphia, PA
– National rank: #41
– Grades offered: 5-12
– Students: 1,214 (53% female; 47% male)
– Racial composition: 40.5% White; 29.0% Asian; 15.5% African American; 9.6% Multiracial
– Student-teacher ratio: 22:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 99%
— Math proficient: 96%
— AP enrollment: 42%

The Julia R. Masterman School combines both a middle and secondary school within Philadelphia. The magnet school is known for its high volume of AP classes, as well as its more than 40 extracurricular activities and athletics. Typically, 100 percent of students matriculate at four-year colleges after graduation.

Rhode Island: Barrington High School

– Location: Barrington, RI
– National rank: #371
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 1,101 (51% female; 49% male)
– Racial composition: 85.9% White; 6.8% Asian; 3.5% Multiracial; 2.6% Hispanic
– Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 85%
— Math proficient: 80%
— AP enrollment: 29%

Rhode Island’s Great Barrington High School is known for its Graduation Pathway, a program that helps students define their high school experience that is tailored to their areas of interest. Students who participate in the program must show a balance of academic study with field research, as well as a final application project.

South Carolina: South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics

– Location: Hartsville, SC
– National rank: #18
– Grades offered: 11-12
– Students: 280 (51% female; 49% male)
– Racial composition: 65.0% White; 15.7% Asian; 12.5% African American; 6.1% Hispanic
– Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 95%
— Math proficient: 95%
— AP enrollment: 100%

Located in Hartsville, South Carolina, the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics is a boarding high school for grades 11 and 12. The school offers the opportunity for dual-enrollment courses at Coker University, as well as courses and projects for those who are interested in economics and finance, engineering, and innovation.

You may also like: Employment During COVID-19 By The Numbers

South Dakota: Brandon Valley High School

– Location: Brandon, SD
– National rank: N/A
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 1,122 (47% female; 53% male)
– Racial composition: 89.5% White; 2.9% Hispanic; 2.9% Multiracial; 2.6% African American
– Student-teacher ratio: 22:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 83%
— Math proficient: 64%
— AP enrollment: 8%

Located in Minnehaha County, Brandon Valley High School serves grades nine through 12 and has an enrollment of 1,122. While it does not have a high participation in AP courses, 83 percent of those who do participate pass one or more of their AP exams. According to GreatSchools.org, the state average is 71 percent.

Tennessee: Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet School

– Location: Nashville, TN
– National rank: #144
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 903 (61% female; 39% male)
– Racial composition: 58.7% White; 22.8% African American; 10.0% Asian; 6.6% Hispanic
– Student-teacher ratio: 21:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 86%
— Math proficient: 42%
— AP enrollment: 72%

Tennessee’s Hume-Fogg Magnet High School was founded in 1912 as Nashville’s first public school. It became a magnet school in 1983. Today, it offers a robust academic program, where classes are taught at the honors or AP level. Students need a minimum of three AP credits to graduate.

Texas: Liberal Arts and Science Academy

– Location: Austin, TX
– National rank: #14
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 1,239 (49% female; 51% male)
– Racial composition: 50.2% White; 21.3% Asian; 20.6% Hispanic; 6.0% Multiracial
– Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 99%
— Math proficient: 99%
— AP enrollment: 76%

Austin’s Liberal Arts and Science Academy is a magnet high school with a selective admissions process. To achieve the school’s Magnet Endorsement, students have to exceed state and district requirements. The Magnet Endorsement results in completion of three separate endorsements: Multidisciplinary; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math; and Arts and Humanities.

Utah: Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy

– Location: Lindon, UT
– National rank: #301
– Grades offered: 7-12
– Students: 636 (51% female; 49% male)
– Racial composition: 76.9% White; 11.3% Hispanic; 7.4% Asian; 3.3% Multiracial
– Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 52%
— Math proficient: 62%
— AP enrollment: 33%

The Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy is a public charter school in Utah that serves grades seven through 12. It prides itself on its classical education curriculum, which includes Latin for all students, as well as Socratic Seminars. These combine history and language arts into daily, two-hour classes.

Vermont: South Burlington High School

– Location: South Burlington, VT
– National rank: N/A
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 913 (50% female; 50% male)
– Racial composition: 78.9% White; 8.1% Asian; 5.4% Multiracial; 4.1% Hispanic
– Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 79%
— Math proficient: 52%
— AP enrollment: 31%

South Burlington High School serves 935 students from grades nine through 12. The school offers courses at the accelerated and honors levels. It also offers a Career Development Center, which puts students in work environments for shadowing, mentorship, and internships. The school participates in an international student exchange program and national service-learning trips.

Virginia: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

– Location: Alexandria, VA
– National rank: #3
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 1,781 (41% female; 59% male)
– Racial composition: 70.2% Asian; 20.5% White; 4.9% Multiracial; 2.4% Hispanic
– Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 99%
— Math proficient: 99%
— AP enrollment: 73%

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology was founded in 1985 as a school for STEM studies. All students are required to complete a technology lab project as part of their school experience. It can either be in a specialized Research Laboratory or as part of the school’s Mentorship Program.

Washington: Tesla STEM High School

– Location: Redmond, WA
– National rank: #35
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 601 (42% female; 58% male)
– Racial composition: 53.1% Asian; 36.9% White; 5.2% Multiracial; 4.2% Hispanic
– Student-teacher ratio: 21:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 95%
— Math proficient: 95%
— AP enrollment: 71%

A magnet school in Redmond, Washington, Tesla STEM High School focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math. Students are expected to conduct research on real world problems. The average SAT score for the class of 2017 was 1332, whereas the state average was 1067.

Washington D.C.: The School Without Walls High School

– Location: Washington, D.C.
– National rank: #294
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 592 (57% female; 43% male)
– Racial composition: 47.6% White; 29.1% African American; 11.5% Hispanic; 7.3% Asian
– Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 92%
— Math proficient: 72%
— AP enrollment: 67%

Located in Washington, D.C.’s Foggy Bottom neighborhood, the School Without Walls High School is a selective magnet school that boasts a 100 percent graduation and 100 percent college acceptance rates. The school offers 22 AP courses, Career and Technical Education, Dual College Enrollment via George Washington University, and more.

West Virginia: Morgantown High School

– Location: Morgantown, WV
– National rank: N/A
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 1,845 (49% female; 51% male)
– Racial composition: 80.3% White; 5.5% Multiracial; 5.4% African American; 4.6% Asian
– Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 68%
— Math proficient: 48%
— AP enrollment: 32%

West Virginia’s Morgantown High School is located in the South Park section of Morgantown. It offers a selection of AP courses, as well as the option for students to enroll in courses at West Virginia University. About 62 percent of graduates attend college while another 20 percent enter the job market following graduation.

Wisconsin: Brookfield East High School

– Location: Brookfield, WI
– National rank: #263
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 1,298 (49% female; 51% male)
– Racial composition: 73.8% White; 12.3% Asian; 5.6% Hispanic; 4.3% Multiracial
– Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 68%
— Math proficient: 64%
— AP enrollment: 48%

Brookfield East High School has one of the highest academic performance rates in the state. The 2020 GPA mean of the entire class was 3.6, while the mean of the top 10 percent of students was 4.6. Eighty percent of the students of 2020 scored higher than a 3 on their AP exams.

You may also like: These Are the Best States for Health Care

Wyoming: Jackson Hole High School

– Location: Jackson, WY
– National rank: N/A
– Grades offered: 9-12
– Students: 720 (48% female; 52% male)
– Racial composition: 62.2% White; 34.4% Hispanic; 2.4% Asian; 0.6% African American
– Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
– Academic achievement:
— Reading proficient: 63%
— Math proficient: 60%
— AP enrollment: 27%

Jackson Hole High School (now known as Jackson-Wilson High School) is the only public high school in Teton County. It is known for its exceptionally educated teachers, with 55 out of 69 holding master’s degrees or higher. It is affiliated with several higher level programs like the Project Lead The Way engineering program, NASA High School Students United with NASA to Create Hardware, Digital Fabrication Lab, and Robotics FIRST Team.