Choosing the best public school in the USA for your child is one of the most important decisions you can make as a parent. A good public school can provide your child with a high-quality education, a well-rounded curriculum, and a variety of extracurricular activities that can enrich their learning and development.
According to the latest data from Research.com, currently, in total, there are 130,029 schools in the U.S., and 98,469 of them are public schools, while 31,560 are private schools.
However, not all public schools are created equal. Many factors can affect the quality and performance of a public school, such as academic standards, teacher qualifications, student diversity, school safety, school location, and school funding.
How can you find the best public schools in the USA for your child? That’s what this blog is all about.
We will provide you with a list of the best public schools in the USA based on various criteria and rankings. Let’s begin!
1. The Early College at Guilford (NC)
- Location: North Carolina, USA
- Fees: $20,200 per semester
- Enrollment Rate: 197 students
- Student to Teacher Ratio: 21:1
- Grades: 9-12
The Early College at Guilford proudly holds the top position as one of the best public schools in the USA. If you are seeking options for your child, the Early College at Guilford (ECG) is a must-consider.
This public high school has secured the coveted title of the number one public high school in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report. A collaboration between Guilford College and Guilford County Schools, ECG allows students to earn a high school diploma along with up to two years of college credit from Guilford College.
The school boasts a rigorous, fast-paced curriculum covering a broad spectrum of subjects, including honors and Advanced Placement courses in 9th and 10th grade and college courses in 11th and 12th grade.
Courses range from organic chemistry and linear algebra to modern art, health economics, and more. With a perfect graduation rate and 100% of students completing at least one AP exam, the school also maintains a 100% reading proficiency rate.
Check out The Early College at Guilford’s impressive rankings:
- #1 in the National Rankings
- #1 in North Carolina high schools
- #1 in Greensboro, NC, Metro Area High Schools
- #1 in Guilford County Schools High Schools
- #9 in STEM High Schools
2. Signature School
- Location: Indiana, USA
- Fees: Free for students residing in Indiana
- Enrollment Rate: 383 students
- Student to Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Grades: 9-12
Signature School USA ranks second on the list of the best public schools in the USA. It has also been acknowledged by various publications, such as U.S. News & World Report, Niche, and the Washington Post.
The school partners with local and online colleges and universities to offer its students a college-preparatory curriculum. It offers Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses, as well as a wide range of electives, such as piano lab, organic chemistry, modern art, and health economics.
The school offers Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses, as well as a wide range of electives, such as piano lab, organic chemistry, modern art, and health economics. School has a 100% graduation rate, and 100% of students take and pass at least one AP exam. The school has also achieved a 98% reading proficiency rate.
Signature School USA has the following rankings:
- #2 in the National Rankings
- #1in Indiana high schools
- #1in Evansville, in Metro Area High Schools
- #1in Charter High Schools
3. School for Advanced Studies (SAS)
- Location: Miami, Florida, USA
- Fees: Free for students residing in Miami, Florida
- Enrollment Rate: 266 students
- Student to Teacher Ratio: 44:1
- Grades: 11-12
School for Advanced Studies (SAS) USA is a nationally recognized collegiate high school of excellence that is ranked third in the list of the best public schools in the USA by U.S. News & World Report.
The school is a partnership between Miami-Dade County Public Schools and Miami Dade College, and it allows students to complete their last two years of high school while they obtain a two-year Associate in Arts degree from Miami Dade College. School for Advanced Studies offers a wide range of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses, as well as a variety of electives, such as piano lab, organic chemistry, modern art, etc.
The school offers Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses, as well as a wide range of electives, such as piano lab, organic chemistry, modern art, and health economics. School has a 100% graduation rate, and 100% of students take and pass at least one AP exam. SAS School has also achieved a 100% reading proficiency rate.
Here are the rankings for SAS School USA.
- #3 in the National Rankings
- #1 in Florida high schools
- #1 in Miami, FL Metro Area High Schools
- #1 in Miami-Dade County Public Schools High Schools
4. The Davidson Academy of Nevada The Davidson Academy of Nevada
- Location: Miami, Florida, USA
- Fees: Free for students residing in Miami, Florida
- Enrollment Rate: 132 students
- Student to Teacher Ratio: 10:1
- Grades: 5-12
The Davidson Academy of Nevada proudly holds the distinction of being the 4th best public school in the USA for profoundly gifted students who score in the 99.9th percentile on nationally normed intelligence and/or achievement tests.
The school is renowned for its commitment to excellence and has been recognized as the number one public high school in America by Niche.com. Additionally, it has secured its place among the nation’s “top-performing schools with elite students,” according to the Washington Post’s Jay Mathews.
The academy offers a personalized learning plan tailored to each student’s abilities, strengths, and interests. Its rigorous and interdisciplinary curriculum encompasses liberal arts, science, math, and foreign languages.
Students have the unique opportunity to take college courses from the University of Nevada, Reno, and other institutions, earning college credit while still in high school. The school boasts a remarkable 100% graduation rate, with every student taking and passing at least one AP exam and achieving a perfect 100% reading proficiency rate.
Let’s explore the impressive rankings of The Davidson Academy of Nevada:
- Ranked #1 Best Public Middle School in America
- Ranked #1 Best Magnet High School in America
- Ranked #1 Best Public High School Teachers in America
- Ranked #1 Best Public Middle School Teachers in America
5. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
- Location: Virginia, USA
- Fees: $29,100 Boarding (5 days), $50,350 Boarding (7 days), and $53,450 Boarding (7 days, international students)
- Enrollment Rate: 1,092 students
- Student to Teacher Ratio: 18:1
- Grades: 9-12
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology USA is a public magnet high school that is famous for being ranked as one of the top high schools in the nation by various publications as Niche.
It has grabbed the 5th rank in the list of the best public schools in the USA. The school offers a comprehensive program that focuses on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology has a challenging and interdisciplinary curriculum with a wide range of subjects, such as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses, research labs, mentorships, and electives.
The school has a 100% graduation rate, and 100% of students take and pass at least one AP exam. School has also achieved a 100% reading proficiency rate.
Check out the rankings of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology USA.
- #5 in the National Rankings
- #1in Virginia high schools
- #1in Washington, DC Metro Area High Schools
- #1in Fairfax County Public Schools and High Schools
- #1in Magnet High Schools
- #4 in STEM High Schools
6. The School for the Talented and Gifted (TAG)
- Location: Dallas, USA
- Fees: Free for students residing in Dallas
- Enrollment Rate: 502 students
- Student to Teacher Ratio: 19:1
- Grades: 9-12
The School for the Talented and Gifted (TAG) USA is a public magnet high school that has been recognized as one of the best public schools in the USA by various publications. The school is located in Dallas, Texas, and it follows the state’s Distinguished Achievement Program and places an emphasis on Advanced Placement curriculum and field research.
TAG school offers 30 AP courses, and students are required to take 12 to graduate. The school also allows students to conduct field research via partnerships with local universities and select a variety of electives.
The school also allows students to take electives such as fashion marketing and enroll in mini-courses like ballroom dancing or glass blowing during interim terms. It has a 100% graduation rate, and 100% of students take and pass at least one AP exam. The school has also achieved a 100% reading proficiency rate.
Take a look at the rankings of The School for the Talented and Gifted (TAG).
- #6 in the National Rankings
- #1in Texas high schools
- #1in Dallas, TX, Metro Area High Schools
- #1in Dallas Independent School District High Schools
- #2 in Magnet High Schools
- #8 in STEM High Schools
7. Tesla STEM High School
- Location: Washington, Redmond, USA
- Fees: Free for students residing in Washington
- Enrollment Rate: 610 students
- Student to Teacher Ratio: 21:1
- Grades: 9-12
Tesla STEM High School is a public magnet high school that specializes in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The school has been ranked as one of the top high schools in the nation by various known publications.
The school uses problem-based learning to engage students in real-world problems and solutions. The school offers a wide range of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses, as well as research labs, mentorships, and electives. The school prepares students for future STEM professions and challenges.
The school has a challenging and interdisciplinary curriculum with a wide range of subjects, such as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses, research labs, mentorships, and electives.
The school has a 100% graduation rate, and 100% of students take and pass at least one AP exam. The school has also achieved a 100% reading proficiency rate.
See the rankings for Tesla STEM High School.
- #7 in the National Rankings
- #1 in Washington high schools
- #1 in Seattle, WA, Metro Area High Schools
- #1in Lake Washington School District High Schools
- #3 in Magnet High Schools
- #13 in STEM high schools
Conclusion
In conclusion, we have provided you with a list of the best public schools in the USA based on various criteria and rankings.
We have ranked the top 7 public schools in the USA, and we have given you some facts and information about each school, such as location, fees, grades, student-to-teacher ratio, annual enrollments, a basic introduction to the school, what it teaches, graduation rate, reading proficiency rate, and rankings.
We hope that this blog post has helped you find the best public school for your child, or at least narrow down your options. Thank you for reading this blog post.
Also read: U of T Tops Public University Ranking in North America