2024 Best Public High Schools in America

• Reno, NV•

• Public School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 4.53 out of 5  86 reviews

Senior: the academics here are fantastic. many teachers are life-changing. hw can be hard to manage, especially if you have other activities, but most teachers are lenient with extensions. the culture is weird. most school events are a bit lame tbh. you will get to know most students (or at least their faces). students can be pretty competitive abt grades. lots of stress culture. many students do not have the highest EQ lmao. i would say <10% of students are not white or Asian. lots of clubs during lunch! i would recommend participating in an activity at a local HS for a taste of the more traditional HS experience. many DA parents are helicopter parents which is not the most fun thing for the school & students. the administration can be a bit overprotective of students too. i've had mostly great interactions with admin members, but some things that admins do seem downright unreasonable to me. i am extremely thankful for my experience at DA and excited to leave for college!... Read 86 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 172

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Durham, NC•

• Public School•

• 11-12

• •
  Rating 4.45 out of 5  179 reviews

Senior: This is arguably the best high school anywhere near the east coast that is free. The main benefit here is the "free" admission, tuition, room and board, and even UNC system tuition aid graduates get if they graduate with a 3.5 or higher GPA, weighted on a 5 point scale. The only big issue with this school is their policies in place blocking true support for students with neurodivergence, mental health issues, and disabilities. The school expects us to act like adults except when it comes time to make decisions for ourself and our health, in which case they know more about your medical needs than you or your doctors do.... Read 179 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 976

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Worcester, MA•

• Public School•

• 11-12

• •
  Rating 4.66 out of 5  93 reviews

Senior: Mass Academy is a great high school experience that prepared me well for future work through project-based learning!... Read 93 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 100

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• City Of Chicago Sd 299, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  435 reviews

Junior: This is the best school I have ever attended. The family is abundant and the culture permeates the school. The grizzly pride is unmatched and I want nothing but success for this school. It has taught me many lessons and I would like to see this school continue on this path. The faculty are great and the students reflect it!... Read 435 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,167

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Oklahoma City, OK•

• Public School•

• 11-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  54 reviews

Junior: The Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics prepares its students for college with their rigorous coursework. However, some adjustments could be made to the staff, facilities, and everyday student life; overall, I consider it a great school.... Read 54 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 120

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Dallas Isd, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  200 reviews

Alum: I graduated class of 2022 and am currently attending University. I feel like TAG definitely prepared me and was very fortunate to have amazing mentors and teachers. TAG is overall very accepting and has its own quirks and student/school culture that can't be replicated. Academically, it is very difficult but also rewarding.... Read 200 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 502

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Hartsville, SC•

• Public School•

• 11-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  176 reviews

Senior: The best part about GSSM is how rigorous it is and how well it prepares students such as myself for college. The worser parts are probably things like the food, but it is promptly fixed with the use of student involvement. I would like to see change in that there is more student involvement aimed to fix issues that should be brought to light in the future.... Read 176 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 270

• Student-teacher ratio —

• City Of Chicago Sd 299, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  628 reviews

Junior: It's overall good. The math department is horrendous, headed by a teacher who just doesn't care about the students unless she likes you. The math department also gives out an absolutely obscene amount of homework every single class; it's toeing the line of breaking the Geneva Convention because the amount of time they expect you to sink into math class alone is a borderline war crime. To sum it up, I and many other students hate most of the math teachers. But the rest is good :).... Read 628 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,027

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Fairfax County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  600 reviews

Senior: Senior here. Note that I came into high school during COVID; thus, my freshman year experience will be different from what is experienced now. That being said, coming from middle school, where A's took no work, high school, and TJ is a huge jump. For any incoming students, develop your study skills, they're vital. Although is academically intense, TJ provides a massive opportunity. Having computer science classes up to machine learning, access to million-dollar engineering labs, or math classes that go into 4th-year college level gives students access to something that most other high schoolers could only dream of. Alongside these courses, you'll meet some of the smartest and (I like to think) well-hearted people, both students and teachers, you will ever meet. Students generally like to collaborate on projects and help each other out, especially during clubs. It's a hard, competitive school, but I wouldn't trade my time here for the world (even if I might say I would on the daily).... Read 600 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,902

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Aurora, IL•

• Public School•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  382 reviews

Junior: I absolutely love this school. It has opened so many doors in terms of college readiness and research opportunities. I have gained so many friends and mentors during my short time here. I have discovered underlying passions through the extracurriculars that IMSA offers. I have been challenged and pushed to my limits with the rigorous course work and busy day-to-day. I am very grateful for this school.... Read 382 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 624

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• New York City Geographic District #31, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  793 reviews

Freshman: I'm currently a freshman at SITHS, and it's been great! I've never felt more involved in a school community than now! The teachers are incredibly supportive and will be there for you no matter what. It's a tight school community, so we all get along well. The heavy workload is demanding, as it is a specialized high school, but becomes easier to manage as you go on. There are a lot of clubs and sports to participate in, and the school is full of fun spirit activities during the year. The school is extremely dedicated to college readiness as you are forced into at least 3 AP Classes and College Now courses during your 4 years at Tech. There are multiple electives and classes you can choose to take from, and there are a lot of great opportunities to participate in during your 4 years. Not only is the school dedicated to academics but we have a lot of great events such as Homecoming, Prom, Spirit Week, etc. Overall, the school is great, and I couldn't imagine being anywhere else!... Read 793 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,355

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• New York City Geographic District #10, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  1,078 reviews

Parent: Bronx Science is a lovely school with a challenging curriculum. It has brought out the best in my child as the students are encouraged to be well-rounded with the offering of many clubs and activities. The most challenging part is the sense of competition between the students, however, there are many of the students who support each other and it is not as much of a "pressure cooker" as other schools. I am glad we chose the school and I would send my other child there without hesitation. One other positive about the school is that my child has met many students from different boroughs of the city and different backgrounds. It has been nice for her to learn about other cultures and develop further appreciation for them.... Read 1,078 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,985

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• New York City Geographic District #25, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  706 reviews

Senior: Deciding to attend Townsend Harris was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. For starters, the community here is very welcoming, whether it be teachers, students, or admin. Spend a day here and you will see a multitude of friendly interactions between students and teachers in the halls (dapping teachers up, to yelling each others’ names and saying hi in the halls) Another aspect I appreciate is this school’s active student body. There are several major student-led events that occur throughout the year, and virtually all students participate it in. FON and S!NG are the major events, and during these times, almost the entirety of the student population comes together to put together the productions. The school is always bustling after school, and most people stay late to participate in clubs, attend FON or S!NG rehearsals, or simply hang out in the halls. I love this community and I would recommend this school to anyone who can handle high academic stress!... Read 706 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,347

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Bay, FL•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.44 out of 5  16 reviews

Parent: Two years ago, my two daughters enrolled at Rising Leaders Academy. At the beginning, they did not know how to read or write any English. Their math abilities were not that good. Not to mention, they were very shy and timid. Now, they are doing very well and passing every state exam. What a difference a good school and good teachers can make in any child's progress and learning abilities. The school environment is excellent. The teachers have the patient of saint. The administration always go the extra mile to work with the parents as they did with me when my daughters needed help. Every race and every culture is welcome. My daughters are Muslims and they feel very welcome and Rising Leaders Academy accommodate their Islamic needs with utmost pleasure. As a parent I could not be more pleased with this school. I strongly recommend Rising Leaders Academy to any parent who really care about the best education and the best safe environment their children could receive.... Read 16 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 335

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Morris County Vocational School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  41 reviews

Senior: With a $1 million engineering lab, senior internships/capstones, and constant support from teachers/peers, this school really has unparalleled opportunities.... Read 41 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 180

• Student-teacher ratio —

• City Of Chicago Sd 299, IL•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  1,203 reviews

Senior: I would say that Whitney Young High School is a school worth attending. Throughout my several years here, I have taken many classes much broader than my middle school experience and have met many people with whom I have formed meaningful relationships. Whitney Young still has faults like any other, with subpar school lunches and unsupportive or educational teachers, but it can surpass this overall with its effort in other areas like student activities, curriculum, college access, and overall support. I believe Whitney Young has room for improvement and would love to see more effort added, but my high school experience was an important and enriching one.... Read 1,203 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,051

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Gwinnett County Public Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  524 reviews

Senior: For the most part, GSMST was a very nice school to attend. The staff and teachers are nice and very supportive of their students. I’ve personally had many teachers who offer to give extensions or makeups if a student is getting too stressed or have something going on at home. The school itself offers many chances for others to get help from staff or get tutoring from teachers and peers. GSMST also offers many chances for students to build communities with each other: wellness days, clubs, and after school games. Though the workload can become excessive at times, it does work to prepare for college and helps to build valuable skills for the future. The staff still works to improve workload though, and make it a little easier for the students to succeed. Overall, it’s a fun school to attend and offers a very special experience that’s hard to find in other schools.... Read 524 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,165

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Dallas Isd, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  224 reviews

Senior: The School of Science and Engineering at Townview is a great place for students who want to be ready for college and beyond. The teachers and staff are really helpful, supporting students in preparing for college, developing important skills, and taking care of their mental health. The school offers tough courses that help students learn and prepare for future careers, especially in engineering. Students can take classes like Calculus 3, and learn about Aerospace, Biomedical, and Nuclear Sciences and Engineering. Plus, there are plenty of AP courses available to challenge students even more. One of the school's big successes is how many students go on to attend top colleges and universities. Many students get accepted into Ivy League schools and other top 20 schools across the country, showing that the school does a great job getting students ready for college.... Read 224 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 501

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Austin Isd, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  519 reviews

Senior: My experience at Liberal Arts and Science Academy was overall memorable. I met amazing intelligent people, student and teachers, that pushed me to be the best version of myself. I was academically, mentally, and physically challenged at this school but all of my efforts and achievements have proven success. This school has prepared me to face college head on and be ready to achieve greatness with my current experiences and knowledge. Although I had an overall positive experience at my school, I have to point out that being academically challenged at every moment is difficult. One's mental health can be in jeopardy at times, especially when being an underclassmen because you have not learned and adapted to the LASA way. I think my school provides various means of support towards this issue but sometimes having various rigorous courses with challenging work becomes a little much. Raising awareness to this issue is crucial in order to provide comfort and assurance to students.... Read 519 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,309

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Sarasota County Schools, FL•

• 2-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  373 reviews

Senior: Overall my journey in highschool was very oriented to learning. I focused mainly on STEM classes which the school had a lot to offer in terms of post AP classes like Organic Chemistry. Also admin knew lots in terms of fulfilling maximum amounts of credits and guided me with proper direction. No complaints really but not also your traditional highschool.... Read 373 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,745

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Muncie, IN•

• Public School•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 4.37 out of 5  386 reviews

Senior: The Indiana Academy is overall a very good school that prepares you for college, so by all means, if you are serious about your education, I recommend it. It teaches you not only academically, but also allows you to learn to live on your own. Even with academics, it is a far more rigorous level than normal high schools. I would like for a more regulated way of working and participating in events, but I'm not sure how they would fix that issue.... Read 386 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 213

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Long Beach Unified, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  503 reviews

Junior: Despite the small campus size, the students at CAMS high school have enough school spirit to make up for it. There are many difficult and challenging classes that you're able to take to help you focus on you Engineering, Computer Science, or Engineering pathway. My only problem is that there isn't a lot of other options for classes that don't involve those three fields. I feel like there should be other non-academic classes that allow the students to have a bit of a break from all the other challenging courses they take throughout the school year.... Read 503 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 667

• Student-teacher ratio 27:1

• New York City Geographic District # 2, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  1,183 reviews

Alum: Since most students at Stuyvesant are academically inclined, it's an environment where every student enjoys learning, which helps with your own education. The downside of that is the inherent competition in an environment like that, where students constantly compare grades. It can be frustrating, especially for people who aren't naturally competitive. That would be the one area I would like to see change in. Otherwise, my experience at Stuyvesant was amazing, from great friends to teachers and after-school activities.... Read 1,183 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,247

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Evansville, IN•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.24 out of 5  135 reviews

Senior: I love the inclusive community and academic environment. It feels good to be at a school where everyone is equally as driven as you and shares the same goals. I expected cutthroat competition and culture, but in all my four years here people have been nothing but collaborative and helpful, showing me the best in humanity. The school is ranked as the #1 Most Challenging High School in the nation and ranked #2 nationally for all U.S. high schools. It's not as difficult as people initially think, but you're made to work for and earn everything you get. As long as you put in the work, Signature School will never fail to award you. I'm currently attending Duke University now thanks to Signature, and every year the school consistently sends ambitious students to Ivy League universities. You won't regret enrolling here; it's the experience of a lifetime.... Read 135 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 383

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  360 reviews

Senior: This high school provides a rich academic environment with dedicated teachers, a wide range of extracurricular activities, and strong support systems for students. The faculty goes above and beyond to ensure students succeed academically and personally. The school fosters a sense of community and inclusivity, encouraging students to explore their interests and passions while also emphasizing the importance of leadership and service. Overall, it offers a well-rounded educational experience that prepares students for future success in college and beyond.... Read 360 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,272

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1