The best public schools in the U.S. prepare students for college and offer strong math and reading coursework, along with high graduation rates and gains amongst underserved populations.
The best schools in the U.S. offer students a pathway for academic and real-world success. Students attain the skills for academic research, peer collaboration, and technological innovation.
Table of Contents
Good high schools provide dual-enrollment programs for college credit. They also have honors, advanced placement (AP), and international baccalaureate (IB) classes. Good schools also emphasize science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) courses. The best schools in the U.S. provide counseling for college, financial aid, and scholarship applications. These schools also help students pursue internship and job opportunities.
Types of Public Schools
Public, charter, and magnet schools offer learners a free public education with rigorous academic curricula and blended, digital, and online learning opportunities.
Public High Schools 2024
The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education delivers policies for all students to receive a free and inclusive public education. Some public schools offer blended and digital learning opportunities, online courses for rural and remote learners, and computer science and STEM classes.
Others provide accelerated learning programs, postsecondary courses, and music and arts programs. Forty-one states, the District of Columbia, four territories, and the Department of Defense Education Activity have adopted Common Core State Standards in math and English language arts.
Charter Public Schools
Charter schools create classrooms that align with their students’ needs. While independently operated public entities, charter schools perform under a contract with a charter school authorizer. These schools adhere to the academic performance standards defined in their charter and communities.
Charter schools admit students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses. These tuition-free schools provide a schoolwide culture that supports teachers in delivering innovative and high-quality instructional practices.
Magnet Public Schools
Magnet schools also enroll students of all socioeconomic statuses, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and achievement levels. With the demand for specialized curricula, most of these tuition-free schools adopt a lottery system for admission.
Magnet schools incorporate STEM, fine and performing arts, IB, international studies, career and technical education, and world languages into their coursework. These schools abide by state standards and often exceed desired learning outcomes.
1. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Alexandria, Virginia
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology was created in partnership between Fairfax County Public Schools and the business community to improve student education in mathematics, science, and technology. This high school serves as the regional magnet Governor’s School for Science and Technology in Northern Virginia.
The curriculum emphasizes STEM subjects, problem-solving, critical inquiry and research, intellectual curiosity, and social responsibility. Faculty deliver all courses at the honors, gifted, AP, and post-AP levels. Students must participate in AP classes, and the school features a 100% pass rate for advanced placement exams.
Students must participate in an activities period included in the instructional day. Learners can participate in any of 150+ clubs and activities. The school is one of the founding members of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science, and Technology.
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology has very stringent entry requirements, including an entrance exam, a personal essay, recommendations, and a history of high academic achievement. Students’ demonstrated aptitude and passion for studies in the mathematical, scientific, and technological fields also factor into the admissions process.
2. Carnegie Vanguard Public Schools
Houston, Texas
Carnegie Vanguard High School, a community-centered magnet school, has a curriculum consisting of AP courses, pre-AP courses, and honors electives. Ninety-eight percent of its students gained admission to four-year colleges or universities, and 100% of its enrollees pass AP exams.
Graduation requirements include 100 hours of community service and taking ten AP courses. Carnegie Vanguard High School offers clubs focusing on community service and academics. Admission requirements require universal assessment scores, teacher recommendations, transcripts, and gifted or talented identification.
3. Liberal Arts and Science Academy Public Schools
Austin, Texas
Liberal Arts and Science Academy, an advanced academic magnet high school, recruits academically advanced students from public and private middle schools in Austin, Texas. Ninety-five percent of its enrollees take AP classes, with a 96% pass rate. The admission rate to four-year colleges and universities is 95.5%.
Liberal Arts and Science Academy provides project-based courses that rely heavily on discussion, research, and seminar-style classes. The school delivers its collaborative Signature Courses as a cornerstone of its curriculum. Student groups research, design, implement, and present projects in the sciences and humanities.
Outside the classroom, Liberal Arts and Science Academy offers sports teams and clubs, including chess, debate, Future Teachers of America, and philosophy. Foreign language clubs include French, German, Spanish, and Chinese.
This school maintains competitive admissions based on previous accomplishments, test scores, and teacher recommendations.
4. Gilbert Classical Academy
Gilbert, Arizona
Gilbert Classical Academy features an integrated, rigorous curriculum with a focus on the Socratic method of instruction. The school prepares enrollees for college-level study by only offering honors and AP courses. All students participate in AP courses, with an exam pass rate of 98%.
Gilbert Classical Academy enhances its curriculum with fine arts courses, clubs, and athletics. Each student must complete 80 hours of community service and defend a senior thesis project. Enrollment at Gilbert Classical Academy requires enrollees to meet prerequisite course requirements.
5. Design and Architecture Senior Public Schools
Miami, Florida
Design and Architecture Senior High School is a magnet school that teaches students foundations in visual communications, fine art, entertainment, and architecture. Students can also enroll in traditional science, math, and language arts courses. Design and Architecture Senior High School offers classes at the AP and honors levels, as well as dual-enrollment courses with local colleges.
Ninety-eight percent of students enroll in AP courses. Students can gain real-world experience through internships with local design firms. Economically disadvantaged learners make up 40% of the Design and Architecture Senior High School student body. Design and Architecture Senior High School received Blue Ribbon School of Excellence status from the U.S. Department of Education.
Each applicant must submit a sketchbook, provide a portfolio, and complete an audition for consideration.
6. University Public Schools
Tucson, Arizona
University High School is a college preparatory school that features coursework in mathematics, science, English, and modern languages. The high school serves academically focused and intellectually gifted students through a curriculum of honors and AP courses.
The school offers foreign language courses, including Chinese, French, and German. University High School partners with the University of Arizona to provide concurrent enrollment in engineering courses.
The school shares a campus with Rincon High School, and University High School students have access to the classes offered by Rincon High School in addition to the classes at University High School. The schools share most clubs, except the University High School chess team, Science Olympiad, Academic Decathlon, and Mock Trial.
Students compete in regional, state, and national academic competitions. The school bases admissions on qualifying scores on the Cognitive Abilities entrance exam and GPA in the two semesters before enrollment.
7. Stanton College Preparatory Public Schools
Jacksonville, Florida
This magnet school emphasizes cultural understanding and responsible citizenship. The school offers honors, AP, and IB classes. Stanton College Preparatory School provides core courses at the honors and AP levels. Ninety-nine percent of students participate in the IB program, with a completion rate of 100%.
Through partnerships with University of North Florida and Florida State College at Jacksonville, students at Stanton College Preparatory School can obtain college credit while enrolled in high school.
The school has more than 50 clubs and organizations, including honor societies, special interest groups, academic teams, service clubs, and music. The U.S. Department of Education recognized Stanton College Preparatory School as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.
8. International Academy
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
International Academy requires its students to attend all IB courses and exams. Enrollees can obtain up to a year of college credit before completing high school. This institution provides a blend of rigorous academic standards and practical, career-oriented learning.
The curriculum focuses on English, the arts, humanities, science, and technology, among other core courses. The school also offers primarily honors classes as part of its Middle Years Program. International Academy has three campuses: Okma, East, and West.
International Academy requires each enrollee to complete 150 hours of community service or co-curricular activities to graduate. Some of the co-curricular clubs available include chess, dance, film, and robotics. International Academy selects students for admission through a lottery.
9. Downingtown STEM Academy
Downingtown, Pennsylvania
Downingtown STEM Academy is a top-rated, public magnet school located in Downingtown, PA. This IB World School offers every student the opportunity to earn an IB diploma. Students engage in rigorous, challenging academic work that requires a mindset of growth and effort. Ninety-percent percent of enrollees participate in the IB program.
A minimum of 75% of a student’s credit requirement in each category must come from traditional credits. However, grades are not calculated into a student’s GPA, except for dual-enrollment courses.
The school offers many clubs and athletic teams, along with programs offered in the student’s home school within the school district. Admission requirements include prerequisite courses, a written essay, teacher recommendation, and an interview.
10. Staten Island Technical Public Schools
Staten Island, New York
Staten Island Technical High School has received Specialized High School status from the NYC Department of Education. These institutions serve the needs of gifted New York City students.
Staten Island Technical High School provides a challenging college preparatory curriculum that emphasizes mathematics, science, engineering, computers, and the humanities. The high school also emphasizes health, fitness, and the performing arts. Students have access to science, engineering, and computer laboratories.
The school features a 100% AP class participation rate, with 94% of students passing AP exams. Staten Island Technical High School also offers an Early College Initiative and a college dual-enrollment program.
Students with exceptional performances in the sciences at Staten Island Technical High School can join the school’s Science Engineering Research Program. Students have several career training and learning exploration opportunities, such as worksite visits, internships, and visits from guest speakers to help discover their career and life goals.
Staten Island Technical High School reports that 100% of its students receive admission to colleges and universities. Economically disadvantaged learners make up 31% of its student body.
Staten Island Technical High School is highly competitive. Students gain admission through the challenging Specialized High School Admissions Test.
Comparison chart
| Private School | Public School | |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | An elementary or secondary school run and supported by private individuals or a corporation rather than by a government or public agency. | An elementary or secondary school in the United States supported by public funds and providing free education to children of a community or district. |
| Education | Decided by the school board | Mandated by state curriculum. more often by the Common Core national standards. |
| Schedule | Schedule is dictated by the school | Schedule is often a mix of graduation requirements and electives |
| Teachers | May or may not be certified but often hold a graduate degree or higher education. | Teachers must meet all state-mandated requirements and be highly proficient in their subject area (i.e. have at least a BA with a major in their subject). Most teachers have Masters Degrees. |
| Technology | Depends on the school. Private schools with higher tuition have more up-to-date technology. | Depends on the school; can be very modern or relatively outdated. |
| Funding | Tuition, gifts, endowments, private corporations, fundraising events. | Federal government, State government, Local government (people’s taxes), grants, awards, donations. |
| Accreditation Agency | Private accreditation agencies like • National Association of Independent schools • National council for private school accreditation • Commission on Transregional and International accreditation. | State Board of Education. |
| Admission Criteria | Not determined by student address. | School zoning determined by student address. |
| Purpose | Build religious foundation for youth. Not much education about real-life situations, such as tax and funding. | To teach children and spend money provided by the community through taxes and bond initiatives |
| Denial of admission | School reserves the right to deny admission a student if s/he does not meet the eligibility criteria as decided by the school. | School cannot deny admission to any student within the designated geographical area of the school. |
| Transportation | Provided by school or to be arranged by student | Provided by school within designated area |
| Class size | Roughly 16 occupants or less. Very rarely more. | About 20-25 per room. |
| Social life | More secluded groups. Students get to know other students greatly. No preparation in elementary or junior high schools. High school shows a variety if in a co-ed school. | Larger pool of people allows for more social interaction. Opportunities for sports, clubs, community service groups and other after-school activities help broaden students’ boundaries. Very good preparation for social pressures of college. |
| School Calendar | Set by school | Decided by district for all schools in the district |
FAQ: Best Public Schools in the USA
1. What makes a public school one of the best in the USA?
- The best public schools prepare students for college with strong math and reading coursework, high graduation rates, and significant gains among underserved populations. They emphasize academic research, peer collaboration, and technological innovation.
2. What types of public schools are there?
- Public schools include traditional public high schools, charter public schools, and magnet public schools. Each type offers a free education with rigorous academic curricula and various specialized programs.
3. What are charter public schools?
- Charter schools are independently operated public schools that adhere to academic performance standards defined in their charters. They provide innovative instructional practices and admit students of all backgrounds without tuition.
Conclusion
The best public schools in the U.S. provide students with a strong foundation for academic and real-world success. These schools offer rigorous curricula, including honors, AP, and IB courses, and emphasize STEM education. They support students with college counseling, internship opportunities, and extracurricular activities. Top public schools like Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and Carnegie Vanguard High School set high academic standards and have stringent admission requirements, ensuring that students are well-prepared for future challenges. By fostering a culture of excellence and innovation, these schools play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of leaders and innovators.