The 20 Best Public High Schools In America

Reuters

The best public high school in the country is Dallas-area School for the Talented and Gifted, according to a new ranking from U.S. News and World Report.

According to U.S. News, TAG students often conduct research with local universities and are required to complete "a minimum of 11 AP courses" for graduation. TAG was one of two Dallas Independent School District high schools that made the list's top 20.

With just 14 teachers and 240 students — about 80 in each grade — TAG is a comparatively small high school. It is also a diverse student body, with minority students making up 58% of the school and 30% of the students coming from economically disadvantaged households.

To compile their ranking, U.S. News evaluated schools on average student performance relative to others in their state, disadvantaged student performance, and college-readiness performance. Read the full methodology here.

Here are the top 20 public high schools in the country below:

1. School for the Talented and Gifted — Dallas, Texas
2. BASIS Scottsdale — Scottsdale, Arizona
3. Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology — Lawrenceville, Georgia
4. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology — Alexandria, Virginia
5. BASIS Tuscon North — Tucson, Arizona
6. Pine View School — Osprey, Florida
7. University High School — Tucson, Arizona
8. School of Science and Engineering Magnet — Dallas, Texas
9. International Academy — Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
10. Oxford Academy — Cypress, California
11. Biotechnology High School — Freehold, New Jersey
12. Stanton College Preparatory School — Jacksonville, Florida
13. International Community School — Kirkland, Washington
14. Maine School of Science & Mathematics — Limestone, Maine
15. Academy of Aerospace and Engineering — Hartford, Connecticut
16. Academic Magnet High School — North Charleston, South Carolina
17. International School — Bellevue, Washington
18. Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School — Montgomery, Alabama
19. Design & Architecture Senior High — Miami, Florida
20. High Technology High School — Lincroft, New Jersey