Posted by It is a known fact that America is one of the best places to study. So, if you are planning to study in the US, choosing from the best public and private high schools in America is an ideal option.
American high schools are consistently ranked among the best in the world, and the country boasts the world’s best education system.
The quality of education you receive in high school can have a significant impact on your academic performance in college and other post-secondary institutions.
In the next section, we will discuss the types of high schools in the US.
Table of Contents
Types of High Schools in the US
1. Public High School
A public high school is a type of educational institution that is funded by the government. These schools provide education to students between the ages of 14 and 18.
Public high schools are open to all students, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Admission requirements for these schools are limited, and most students are admitted without paying tuition fees.
2. Private High School
A private high school is a secondary school that is funded entirely by donors, foundations, organizations, businesses, or individuals. These schools generally offer a more specialized education and are run by a private or religious organization.
Private high schools have stricter admissions requirements than public schools, and students must pay tuition per year.
Private high schools offer a variety of benefits, including smaller class sizes, more individualized attention, and a more rigorous academic curriculum. They also offer a wider range of extracurricular activities, including sports, music, and drama programs.
3. Charter High School
Charter High Schools are public high schools that operate under a charter contract with the government to provide education to students. These schools are autonomous and are not strictly regulated by the government but are responsible for meeting the quality requirements and achievement targets set by the government.
Charter schools are publicly funded and are exempt from significant state or local regulations related to operation and management, but otherwise adhere to regulations of public schools. They are schools of choice and commit to obtaining specific educational objectives in return for a charter to operate a school.
4. Magnet High School
A magnet high school is a public school that provides specialized academic and career-specific programs to students with special talents or specific interests.
These schools are designed to attract students from different areas, pulling students out of the normal progression of schools. Attending them is voluntary. There are magnet schools at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
In the United States, where education is decentralized, some magnet schools are established by school districts and draw only from the district, while others are set up by state governments and may draw from multiple districts.
35 Best Public and Private High Schools in America
There are public and private high schools in America.
We have listed the best high schools in America in these two categories.
Here they are below:
- Best Public High Schools in the World
- Best Private High Schools in the World
20 Best Public High Schools in America
Below is a list of the best Public high schools America:
- Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, VA
- Academic Magnet High School, North Charleston, SC
- Maine School of Science and Mathematics, Limestone, ME
- BASIS Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ
- Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology, Lawrenceville, GA
- BASIS Chandler, Chandler, AZ
- Pine View School, Osprey, FL
- Carnegie Vanguard High School, Houston, TX
- School for Advanced Studies, Miami, FL
- International Academy, Bloomfield Hills, MI
- Pacific Collegiate Charter, Santa Cruz, CA
- Oxford Academy, Cypress, CA
- Whitney High School, Cerritos, CA
- Stuyvesant High School, New York, NY
- BASIS Oro Valley, Oro Valley, AZ
- BASIS Peoria, Peoria, AZ
- BASIS Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ
- BASIS Tucson North, Tucson, AZ
- BASIS Flagstaff, Flagstaff, AZ
- BASIS Tucson South, Tucson, AZ.
1. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, VA
- Founded: 1985
- Location: Virginia, United States
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) is a Virginia state-chartered magnet school in Fairfax County, Virginia.
It is one of the best public high schools in the United States and is routinely rated among the top schools in the country.
TJHSST is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI).
2. Academic Magnet High School, North Charleston, SC
- Founded: 1988
- Location: Enterprise St, North Charleston.
Academic Magnet High School is a public high school located in North Charleston, South Carolina. It serves more than 500 students in grades 9 through 12.
The school has been recognized as the #2 Public High Schools in the nation by the U.S. News & World Report.
The school is a member of the Magnet Schools of America (MSA) and has been awarded the National Blue-Ribbon School award in 2014.
3. Maine School of Science and Mathematics, Limestone, ME
- Founded: 1995
- Location: Maine, United States
The Maine School of Science and Mathematics (MSSM) is a public, residential high school for scholars in grades 9-12 who are interested in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects. The school is located in Limestone, Maine.
MSSM is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
NEASC is an independent, voluntary, nonprofit membership organization that connects and serves over 2,000 public and independent schools, colleges, and universities in the United States and worldwide.
4. BASIS Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ
- Founded: 2003
- Location: Arizona, United States
BASIS Scottsdale is a tuition-free, public charter school that serves students in grades 5–12 and is part of the BASIS Charter Schools network which has been providing world-class education since 1998.
According to the U.S. News & World Report, BASIS Scottsdale is ranked as the #4 Charter High School and #20 Best High Schools in the nation.
5. Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology, Lawrenceville, GA
- Founded: 2007
- Location: McElvaney Lane, Lawrenceville, GA
The Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (GSMST) is a public special school located in Lawrenceville, Georgia, United States.
It is a part of the Gwinnett County Public Schools system. GSMST is a lottery-based charter high school that focuses on STEM education for every student. The school was certified as a STEM school by the Georgia Department of Education in the fall of 2012.
GSMST was acknowledged by the Georgia Department of Education as a 2023 Advanced Placement (AP) Honor School in five categories: AP Humanities School, AP Humanities Achievement School, School of Distinction, AP STEM School, and AP STEM Achievement School 3.
6. BASIS Chandler, Chandler, AZ
- Founded: 1998
- Location: S. Arizona Ave. Chandler, AZ
BASIS Chandler is a tuition-free, public charter school that serves students in grades 5–12 and is part of the BASIS Charter School Network.
According to the U.S. News & World Report, BASIS Chandler is ranked as the 6th best charter high school in the United States, the 5th best STEM high school in the United States, and the 30th best high school in the nation.
7. Pine View School, Osprey, FL
- Founded: 1968
- Location: Python Path, Osprey, FL.
Pine View School is a public, college-preparatory, coeducational school located in Osprey, Florida. It serves students from 2nd through 12th grades.
Pine View School is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI).
The school’s mission is to provide a qualitatively different learning environment that nurtures a passion for intellectual curiosity, encourages risk-taking, independence, and innovation, and is committed to a tradition of academic excellence and social responsibility.
8. Carnegie Vanguard High School, Houston, TX
- Founded: 2002
- Location: Taft St, Houston, TX
Carnegie Vanguard High School is a public magnet school located in Houston, Texas. It was established in 2002 and serves grades 9-12.
The school is part of the Houston Independent School District (HISD) and is the only High School Vanguard Program in HISD, meaning that all students are labeled as gifted and talented by testing and the school has students take all Advanced Placement core classes as part of its curriculum.
9. School for Advanced Studies, Miami, FL
- Founded: 1988
- Location: Miami, Florida.
The School for Advanced Studies (SAS) is a dual-enrollment secondary school in Miami, Florida.
It is part of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools System and is located at five campuses of Miami Dade College: the Kendall campus, the North Campus, the Wolfson campus, the West, and the Homestead campus.
The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
10. International Academy, Bloomfield Hills, MI
- Founded: 1996
- Location: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA.
The International Academy is a public high school located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA. It is part of the Oakland Schools district and offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) program to its students.
The school is authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) to offer both the Middle Years and Diploma Programs.
According to the US News Best High Schools ranking, the International Academy is ranked #54 in the National Rankings and #2 in Michigan High Schools.
The school has a score of 99.7 out of 100, based on its performance on state-required tests, graduation rates, and how well it prepares students for college.
11. Pacific Collegiate Charter, Santa Cruz, CA
- Founded: 1999
- Location: Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA.
Pacific Collegiate Charter School is a public charter school located in Santa Cruz, California. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
The school has been ranked among the best high schools in America. According to Niche, Pacific Collegiate Charter School has an overall grade of A+.
12. Oxford Academy, Cypress, CA
- Founded: 1998
- Location: Orange Ave, Cypress, CA.
Oxford Academy is a public school located in Cypress, California, serving grades 7-12 as part of the Anaheim Union High School District.
As of 2023, it was ranked #1 for the best high schools in California by U.S. News & World Report, as well as #9 for the best high schools in the United States.
13. Whitney High School, Cerritos, CA
- Founded: 1975
- Location: Cerritos, California.
Whitney High School is a public school located in Cerritos, California.
It serves students in grades 7 through 12 and is part of the ABC Unified School District, which is known throughout the State of California as a leader in educational planning and innovation.
The district has received county, state, and national recognition for outstanding programs in counseling, alternative education, staff development, and labor relations.
14. Stuyvesant High School, New York, NY
- Founded: 1904
- Location: New York City
Stuyvesant High School is a public college-preparatory specialized high school located in New York City, United States.
It was established in 1904 and is one of the leading high schools specializing in mathematics, science, and technology programs.
The school is accredited by the New York State Board of Regents.
15. BASIS Oro Valley, Oro Valley, AZ
- Founded: 1998
- Location: Oro Valley, AZ
BASIS Oro Valley is a tuition-free public charter school located in Oro Valley, Arizona.
The school serves students in grades 6-12 and is part of the BASIS Charter Schools network, which has been providing world-class education since 1998.
BASIS Oro Valley is nationally accredited by Cognia, which is the parent organization for the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI).
16. BASIS Peoria, Peoria, AZ
- Founded: 1998
- Location: Peoria, Arizona
BASIS Peoria is a tuition-free, public charter school located in Peoria, Arizona. It is part of the BASIS Charter School Network, which has been providing world-class education since 1998.
BASIS Peoria serves students in grades 5-12 and follows a STEM-infused, liberal arts program designed to propel students farther than they ever thought possible.
BASIS Peoria is nationally accredited by Cognia, an organization that provides accreditation, research, and professional services to 27,000 public and private schools and 4,500 school districts in 30 states and 65 countries.
17. BASIS Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ
- Founded: 1998
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
BASIS Phoenix is a tuition-free, public charter school that serves students in grades 6–12 and is part of the BASIS Charter School Network.
All BASIS Charter Schools are managed by BASIS Ed and are accredited by Cognia, previously Advanced (NCA CASI).
18. BASIS Tucson North, Tucson, AZ
- Founded: 1998
- Location: Tucson, Arizona
BASIS Tucson North is a tuition-free, public charter school located in Tucson, Arizona. It serves students in grades 5-12.
BASIS Tucson North is part of the BASIS Charter Schools network, which has been providing world-class education since 1998.
According to the Parent/Student Handbook 2023-2024, BASIS Charter Schools are accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI).
19. BASIS Flagstaff, Flagstaff, AZ
- Founded: 2011
- Location: Flagstaff, Arizona
BASIS Flagstaff is a tuition-free, public charter school located in Flagstaff, Arizona. The school offers education to students from kindergarten to grade 12.
BASIS Flagstaff is part of the BASIS Charter Schools network, which has been providing world-class education since 1998.
The school follows a STEM-infused, liberal arts program designed to propel students farther than they ever thought possible.
BASIS Flagstaff is accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI). The school is also accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).
20. BASIS Tucson South, Tucson, AZ
- Founded: 1998
- Location: Tucson, AZ
BASIS Tucson South is a public charter school located in Tucson, Arizona, United States.
It is part of the BASIS Charter School Network, which has been providing world-class education since 1998.
The school is accredited by Cognia, a non-profit organization that provides accreditation, research, and professional services to schools and school districts in the United States and around the world.
15 Best Private High Schools in America
Below is a list of the best high schools in America:
- Phillips Academy, Andover, MA
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH
- St. Paul’s School, Concord, NH
- Trinity School, New York, NY
- Harvard-Westlake School, Studio City, CA
- The Lawrenceville School, Lawrenceville, NJ
- Choate Rosemary Hall, Wallingford, CT
- The Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, CT
- Deerfield Academy, Deerfield, MA
- The Harker School, San Jose, CA
- Horace Mann School, Bronx, NY
- The Thacher School, Ojai, CA
- The College Preparatory School, Oakland, CA
- The Brearley School, New York, NY
- The Pingry School, Basking Ridge, NJ.
21. Phillips Academy, Andover, MA
- Founded: 1778
- Location: Andover, Massachusetts
Phillips Academy is a prestigious co-educational university-preparatory school for boarding and day students in grades 9–12, along with a post-graduate year.
It is located in Andover, Massachusetts, United States, 25 miles north of Boston.
The school is accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools.
22. Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH
- Founded: 1781
- Location: Exeter, New Hampshire
Phillips Exeter Academy is a private, coeducational, independent school located in Exeter, New Hampshire, United States. It was founded in 1781 by Elizabeth and John Phillips.
The school has been accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) since 1942.
NEASC is an independent, voluntary, nonprofit membership organization that connects and serves over 1500 public, independent, and international learning communities in the US and worldwide.
23. St. Paul’s School, Concord, NH
- Founded: 1856
- Location: Concord, New Hampshire
St. Paul’s School is a private, coeducational boarding school located in Concord, New Hampshire, United States. It was founded in 1856 by George C. Shattuck and its affiliated with the Episcopal Church.
The school has a sprawling 2,000-acre campus that serves 548 students from 37 states and 28 countries.
The school is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
NEASC is an independent, voluntary, nonprofit membership organization that connects and serves over 2,000 public and independent schools, colleges, and universities in the six states of New England.
24. Trinity School, New York, NY
- Founded: 1709
- Location: New York City, USA
Trinity School is a highly selective independent, preparatory, co-educational day school for grades K-12 located in New York City, USA and a member of both the New York Interschool and the Ivy Preparatory School League.
It was founded in 1709 in the old Trinity Church at Broadway and Wall Street, making it the fifth oldest school in the United States and the oldest continually operating school in New York City.
The school is accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) and the New York State Board of Regents.
25. Harvard-Westlake School, Studio City, CA
- Founded: 1900
- Location: Los Angeles County, California
Harvard-Westlake School is an independent, co-educational college preparatory day school for grades 7-12, located on two campuses in the Los Angeles area.
The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), and the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS).
26. The Lawrenceville School, Lawrenceville, NJ
- Founded: 1810
- Location: Lawrenceville, New Jersey, United States.
The Lawrenceville School is a private, independent, college-preparatory school located in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, United States.
It was founded in 1810 and has been inspiring and educating promising young people from diverse backgrounds for responsible leadership, personal fulfillment, and enthusiastic participation in the world ever since.
The school is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
27. Choate Rosemary Hall, Wallingford, CT
- Founded: 1890
- Location: Wallingford, Connecticut
Choate Rosemary Hall is an independent boarding and day school located in Wallingford, Connecticut. It was founded in 1890 and is known for its rigorous academic programs and diverse student body.
The school offers a wide range of courses, including Advanced Placement (AP) classes, and has a student-teacher ratio of 7:1.
Choate Rosemary Hall is accredited by the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
These accreditations ensure that the school meets high standards of educational quality and that its programs are recognized by other schools and colleges.
28. The Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, CT
- Founded: 1891
- Location: Lakeville, Connecticut
The Hotchkiss School is an independent boarding school located in Lakeville, Connecticut, USA.
It was founded in 1891 and provides an education of academic distinction to 599 students in grades 9 through 12, and to a small number of postgraduates.
Students at Hotchkiss come from across the United States and around the world. Graduates attend many of the most selective universities and colleges.
The school is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), which is a non-governmental, nationally recognized organization that accredits schools and colleges in the six New England states.
29. Deerfield Academy, Deerfield, MA
- Founded: 1797
- Location: Deerfield, Massachusetts
Deerfield Academy is an independent co-educational boarding preparatory school in Deerfield, Massachusetts.
It was founded in 1797 and is one of the oldest secondary schools in the United States. The school has approximately 650 students and about 125 faculty.
Deerfield had a 16.8% acceptance rate for the 2019–20 school year. The Academy is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
30. The Harker School, San Jose, CA
- Founded: 1893
- Location: San Jose, California
The Harker School is a private school located in San Jose, California.
It was founded in 1893 and has since grown to become the largest independent school of its kind in California, educating over 2,040 students.
The school is accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools and the California Association of Independent Schools.
31. Horace Mann School, Bronx, NY
- Founded: 1887
- Location: Bronx, NY
Horace Mann School is a private school located in Bronx, NY. It offers educational and extracurricular programs to students in grades kindergarten through 12.
The school is accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) and is also a member of the Association of Teachers in Independent Schools (ATIS), the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), New York City’s Guild of Independent Schools, and the Educational Records Bureau (ERB).
32. The Thacher School, Ojai, CA
- Founded: 1889
- Location: Ojai, California
The Thacher School is a private coeducational college preparatory boarding high school located in Ojai, California, United States.
It was founded in 1889 as a boys’ school and is now the oldest co-educational boarding school in California. Girls were first admitted in 1977, with the first co-ed graduating class being the class of 1978.
The Thacher School is accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
33. The College Preparatory School, Oakland, CA
- Founded: 1960
- Located: Oakland, California.
The College Preparatory School is a private coeducational high school located in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland, California.
The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). WASC is one of six regional accrediting associations in the United States that accredits public and private schools, colleges, and universities.
Accreditation by WASC indicates that the school has met the rigorous criteria for educational quality and effectiveness.
34. The Brearley School, New York, NY
- Founded: 1884
- Location: Manhattan, New York City.
The Brearley School is a private all-girls school located in New York City, New York. It was founded in 1884 by Samuel A.
Brearley is considered a sister school of the all-boys Collegiate School, the all-girls Spence School, and the nearby all-girls Chapin School.
The school is divided into lower (kindergarten – grade 4), middle (grades 5–8), and upper (grades 9–12) schools, with approximately 50 to 60 students per grade 1.
The school is accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).
35. The Pingry School, Basking Ridge, NJ
- Founded: 1861
- Location: Basking Ridge, New Jersey
The Pingry School is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school located in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.
It was founded in 1861 and has a mission to foster in students a lifelong commitment to intellectual exploration, individual growth, and social responsibility by inspiring and supporting them to strive for academic and personal excellence within an ethical framework that places the highest value on honor and respect for others.
FAQs
Is this a definitive ranking, and should parents solely rely on it for choosing a high school for their child?
While our ranking is a valuable resource, we recommend that parents and students consider a variety of factors, including individual preferences and needs, when choosing a high school. This list serves as a starting point for research.
Do these high schools offer scholarships or financial aid?
Many of these high schools offer scholarships or financial aid programs to assist students in need. It's advisable to check with each school's admission office for specific details.
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Conclusion
Most of the top public high schools in America have a highly competitive admission process that is based on standardized test scores. This is because many of the best public schools in America are highly selective.
In contrast, private high schools in America are generally less selective but more expensive. While submitting standardized test scores is optional, it is still recommended to do so.
We’ve come to the end of this article. You can visit the official websites of these high schools for more detailed information.
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