30 Best Public and Private High Schools in America 2023

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Best High Schools in America
Best High Schools in America

High Schools in America are consistently ranked among the best high schools in the World. In fact, America has the best education system in the World.

If you are considering studying abroad, then you should put US into consideration. America is home to most of the top best secondary and post-secondary institutions in the World.

The quality of education received in high school determines your academic performance in colleges and other postsecondary institution.

There are a few factors to consider, before choosing a high school: curriculum, performance in standardized exams like SAT and ACT, ratio of teachers to students (class size), school leadership, and availability of extracurricular activities.

Before we list the best high schools in America, Let us briefly discuss about the US education system and type of high schools in US.

Table of Contents

The US Education System

Education in the United States is provided in public, private and home schools. School years are called “grades” in the US.

The US Education System is divided into three levels: primary education, secondary education and post-secondary or tertiary education.

Secondary education is divided into two levels:

  • Middle/Junior High School (usually from grade 6 to grade 8)
  • Upper/High School (usually from grades 9 to 12)

High Schools provide vocational education, Honors, Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses.

Types of High Schools in the US

There are different types of schools in US, which includes:

  • Public Schools

Public Schools in the US are either funded by the state government, or federal government. Most US public schools offer tuition free education.

  • Private Schools

Private Schools are schools that are not operated or funded by any government. Majority of private schools have cost of attendance. However, most best private high schools in America offer need-based financial aid and scholarship programs to students.

  • Charter Schools

Charter schools are tuition-free, publicly-funded schools. Unlike public schools, charter schools operates autonomously and dictates it’s curriculum and standards.

  • Magnet Schools

Magnet Schools are public schools with specialized courses or curricula. Most magnet schools concentrate on a particular area of study, while other have a more general focus.

  • College-preparatory Schools (Prep schools)

Prep schools can either be publicly funded, charter schools, or private independent secondary schools.

Preparatory schools prepares students for entrance to a post-secondary institution.

Now that you know the different types of schools in the US, we are much focused on the private and public high schools in the US. Without any further ado, below are the best private and public high schools in the United States of America.

Best Public High Schools in America

Here is a list of 15 best public high schools in America:

1. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST)

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology is a magnet school operated by Fairfax County Public Schools.

TJHSST was created to provide education in science, mathematics, and technology.

As a selective high school, all prospective students must have compled grade 7 and have an unweighted GPA of 3.5 or high, in order to be eligible to apply.

2. The Davidson Academy

The Academy is specifically designed for profoundly gifted students in grades 6 to grades 12, located in Nevada.

Unlike other high schools, the Academy’s classes are not grouped by age-based grades but by demonstrated ability level.

3. Walter Payton College Preparatory High School (WPCP)

Walter Payton College Preparatory High School is a selective enrollment public high school, located in the heart of downtown Chicago.

Payton has a distinguished and award-winning reputation for it’s world-class math, science, world-language, humanities, fine arts, and adventure education programs.

4. North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM)

NCSSM is a public high school located in Durham, North Carolina, that focuses on the intensive study of science, mathematics, and technology.

The School offers residential program and online program for students in grade 11 and grade 12.

5. Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science (Mass Academy)

Mass Academy is a co-educational public school, located in Worcester, Massachusetts.

It serves academically advanced students in grades 11 and 12 in math, science, and technology.

Mass Academy offer two options of program: Junior Year Program and Senior Year Program.

6. Bergen County Academies (BCA)

Bergen County Academies is a public magnet high school located in Hackensack, New Jersey that serves students in grades 9 to grades 12.

BCA offers students a unique high school experience that combines comprehensive academics with technical and professional courses.

7. The School for the Talented & Gifted (TAG)

TAG is a public college preparatory magnet secondary school, located in Dallas, Texas. It serves students in grades 9 to 12 and is a part of the Dallas Independent School District.

The TAG curriculum includes interdisciplinary activities such as TREK and TAG-IT, and grade-level seminars.

8. Northside College Preparatory High School (NCP)

Northside College Preparatory High School is a selective enrollment high school, located in Chicago, Illinois.

NCP offer students challenging and innovative courses in all subject areas. All courses offered at NCP are college preparatory courses and all core courses are offered at honors or advanced placement level.

9. Stuyvesant High School

Stuyvesant High School is a public magnet, college-preparatory, specialized high school, located in New York City.

Stuy focus on mathematics, science, and technology education. It also offer many electives and a wide range of advanced placement courses.

10. High Technology High School

High Technology High School is a magnet public high school for students in grade 9 to grade 12, located in New Jersey.

It is a pre-engineering career academy that emphasizes the interconnections among mathematics, science, technology, and the humanities.

11. Bronx High School of Science

Bronx High School of Science is a public magnet, specialized high school, located in New York City. It is operated by the New York City Department of Education.

Students are provided with Honors, Advanced Placement (AP), and Elective courses.

12. Townsend Harris High School (THHS)

Townsend Harris High School is a public magnet high school located in New York City.

Founded in 1984 by alumni of Townsend Harris Hall Prep School, who wanted to reopen their school that was closed in the 1940s.

Townsend Harris High School provides a variety of elective and AP courses to students in grades 9 to 12.

13. Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology (GSMST)

Established in 2007 as a STEM charter school, GSMST is a public special school in Lawrenceville, Georgia, for students in grade 9 to 12.

GSMST provides education to students through a curriculum that focus on mathematics, science and technology.

14. Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA)

Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy is a three-year residential public secondary education institution, located in Aurora, Illinois.

IMSA offers a challenging and advanced education to Illinois students talents in mathematics and science.

15. South Carolina Governor’s School for School and Mathematics (SCGSSM)

SCGSSM is a public specialized residential school for gifted and motivated students, located in Hartsville, South Carolina.

It offers a two-year residential high school program as well as virtual high school program, summer camps, and outreach programs.

SCGSSM focus on science, technology, engineering, and math.

Best Private High Schools in America

Below is a list of 15 Best Private Schools in America, according to Niche:

16. Phillips Academy – Andover

Phillips Academy is a coeducational secondary school for boarding and day students in grades 9 to 12 and also offer postgraduate education.

It offers a liberal education, to prepare students for life in the world.

17. The Hotchkiss School

The Hotchkiss School is an independent coeducational preparatory school for boarding and day students, located in Lakeville, Connecticut.

As a top independent prep school, Hotchkiss provide an experience-based education.

The Hotchkiss School serves students in grade 9 through grade 12.

18. Choate Rosemary Hall

Choate Rosemary Hall is an independent boarding and day school in Wallingford, Connecticut. It serves talented students in Grade 9 to 12 and postgraduate.

Students at Choate Rosemary Hall are taught with a curriculum that recognizes the importance of being not only an excellent student, but a moral and ethical person.

19. The College Preparatory School

The College Preparatory School is a private coeducational day school for students in grade 9 to 12, located in Qakland, California.

Almost 25% of College prep students receive financial support, with an average grant of more than $30,000.

20. Groton School

Groton School is one of the most selective private college-preparatory day and boarding schools in the US, located in Groton, Massachusetts.

It is one of the few high schools that still accepts eighth grade.

Since 2008, Groton School has waived tuition, room, and board for students from families with incomes below $80,000.

21. Phillips Exeter Academy

Phillips Exeter Academy is a coeducational residential school for students in grades 9 to 12, and also offer postgraduate program.

The Academy uses Harkness method of teaching. Harkness method is a simple concept: Twelve students and one teacher sit around an oval table and discuss the subject at hand.

Phillips Exeter Academy is located in Exeter, a southern New Hampshire town.

22. St. Mark’s School of Texas

St. Mark’s School of Texas is a private, nonsectarian college-preparatory boys’ day school, for students in grades 1 to 12, located in Dallas, Texas.

It is committed to preparing boys for college and for manhood. It’s academic program equips students with content knowledge and skills to ensure their success as they prepare for college.

23. Trinity School

Trinity School is a college preparatory, coeducational independent school for grades K to 12 day students.

It provides world-class education to it’s students with rigorous academics and outstanding programs in athletics, the arts, peer leadership, and global travel.

24. The Nueva School

The Nueva School is an independent Pre K to Grade 12 school for gifted students.

Nueva’s lower and middle school is located in Hillsborough, and the high school is located in San Mateo, California.

The Nueva upper school reinvents the high school experience as four years of inquiry-based learning, collaborations, and self-discovery.

25. The Brearley School

The Brearley School is an all-girls, non denominational independent college-prep day school, located in New York City.

It’s mission is to empower girls of adventurous intellect to think critically and creatively, and prepares them for principled engagement in the world.

26. Harvard-Westlake School

Harvard-Westlake School is an independent, coeducational college preparatory day school grades 7 to 12, located in Los Angeles, California.

It’s curriculum celebrates independent thinking and diversity, encouraging students to discover both themselves and the world around them.

27. Stanford Online High School

Stanford Online High School is a highly selective independent school for grades 7 to 12, located in Redwood City, California.

At Standard Online High School, dedicated instructors help academically talented students pursue there passion in real time, online seminars.

Stanford Online High School has three enrollment options: full-time enrollment, part-time enrollment, and single course enrollment.

28. Riverdale Country School

Riverdale is a Pre-K through grade 12 independent school located in New York City.

It is committed to empowering lifelong learner’s by developing minds, building character, and creating community, in order to change the world for the good.

29. The Lawrenceville School

The Lawrenceville School is a coeducational, preparatory school for boarding and day students, located in the Lawrenceville section of Lawrence Township, in Mercer County, New Jersey.

Harkness learning at Lawrenceville encourages students to give their perspective, share their ideas and learn from their peers.

Students at Lawrenceville School enjoys these academic opportunities: opportunities for advanced research, hands-on learning experiences, and special projects.

30. Castilleja School

Castilleja School is an independent school for girls in grades six through twelve, located in Palo Alto, California.

It educate girls to be confident thinkers and compassionate leaders with a sense of purpose to effect change in the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the number 1 high school in America?

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) is the best public high school in America.

What age is High School in America

Most High Schools in America accepts students into grade 9 from the age of 14. And most students graduate from grade 12 at the age of 18.

Which State has the Best Public Schools in America?

Massachusetts has the best public school system in the US. 48.8% of Massachusett's eligible schools ranked in the top 25% of high school rankings.

Which US state is number one in Education?

District of Columbia is the most educated state in US. Massachusetts is the second-most educated state and has the best-ranked public schools in the US.

Where is America ranked in Education?

America has the best education system in the World. Despite having the best education system, US students consistently score lower in math and science than students from many other countries. According to a Business insider report in 2018, the US ranked 38th in math scores and 24th in science.

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Conclusion on the Best Public and Private High Schools in America

Admission to most of the best public high schools in America is very competitive and determined by standardized test scores. This is because a lot of the best public schools in America are very selective.

Unlike public schools in America, most private high schools in America is less selective but very expensive. Submitting of standardized test score is optional.

The bottom line is whether you are considering a public high school or a private high school, just make sure your choice of school offer top quality education.

It is safe to say America is one of the best countries to study. So, if you are looking for a country to study, America is definitely a good choice.

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