These are the 50 best public schools in the US

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  Media and Entertainment on Tue, Sep 09th, 2025 by Business Insider

Business Insider’s “Best Public High Schools in America”: A Snapshot of the Nation’s Top‑Performing Public Schools

Business Insider’s recent roundup of the best public high schools in the United States is more than a simple list of names. It is a data‑driven guide that blends national rankings, state‑specific achievements, and qualitative insights from students, teachers, and education experts. The article, updated last month, pulls together three primary data sources—College Board, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), and U.S. News & World Report—to paint a holistic picture of academic excellence in the public‑school system.

How the List Was Built

Business Insider starts by outlining the methodology that underpins the rankings. The authors sifted through nearly 9,000 public high schools across the country, looking at:

The data were weighted to reflect the importance of each factor, and the final score was compared against the “national percentile” of public high schools. In cases where a school excelled in one domain but lagged in another, the article notes the trade‑offs so readers can understand what each school truly offers.

National Powerhouses

1. Stuyvesant High School – New York, NY
Stuyvesant tops the national list by a wide margin. With a 100% AP pass rate and an average SAT score of 1550, it consistently outperforms peers. The article highlights the school’s rigorous STEM pipeline, which feeds into top universities such as MIT and Stanford. Stuyvesant also has a student‑teacher ratio of 11:1, a testament to its low class sizes.

2. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology – Alexandria, VA
Jefferson follows closely, boasting an 87% graduation rate and 95% college acceptance rate. Its unique dual‑enrollment program allows students to earn college credit while still in high school, a feature Business Insider cites as a key factor in its high placement.

3. Brooklyn Technical High School – Brooklyn, NY
Known for its engineering and architecture tracks, Brooklyn Tech averages a 95% AP pass rate. Business Insider points out the school’s partnership with the New York City Department of Education, which brings in additional funding and professional development for teachers.

4. The Bronx High School of Science – Bronx, NY
Also a New York City school, Bronx Science ranks fourth overall. Its emphasis on physics and chemistry research labs sets it apart, and the article notes a 94% college enrollment rate.

5. Phillips Academy – Andover, MA
Although Phillips Academy is technically a private boarding school, Business Insider included it in the discussion for its outstanding public school counterparts, citing the high academic standards set by similar schools across the country.

Regional Highlights

Business Insider goes beyond the national list to spotlight top schools in each of the four U.S. Census regions, as well as the District of Columbia. Some of the standout picks include:

Each regional entry is accompanied by a short narrative explaining why the school excels. For example, the article explains that Houston High School of the Arts has a 97% graduation rate and offers a dual‑enrollment program with the University of Houston, giving students a taste of university life early on.

Small‑Town Champions

One of the article’s most intriguing segments is its spotlight on small‑town public schools that outperform larger urban schools in key metrics. Business Insider includes:

• Elyria High School – Elyria, OH – Known for its high AP pass rate and a strong community partnership program.
• Graham High School – Graham, CO – Praised for its low student‑teacher ratio and comprehensive STEM labs.
• Waldo High School – Waldo, FL – Noted for its inclusive curriculum and 99% college acceptance rate.

These schools are presented as proof that excellence is not confined to the biggest or most affluent districts. The article underscores that community involvement and targeted resource allocation often drive these successes.

Links and Further Reading

Business Insider provides links to a variety of external resources for readers who wish to dive deeper:

• College Board’s AP Report – Detailed statistics on AP exam pass rates by state.
• NCES School Search – Data on enrollment, student demographics, and funding for each listed school.
• U.S. News School Ranking – A comprehensive breakdown of each school’s national and state rankings.
• Local District Websites – Direct access to school policies, curricula, and faculty bios.

These links give educators, parents, and policymakers a starting point for comparative research and policy development.

Why It Matters

The article’s significance extends beyond a mere leaderboard. By making the data and methodology transparent, Business Insider invites discussion about:

• Equity in Education – How schools with diverse student bodies can still achieve high performance.
• Funding Models – The role of local property taxes versus state allocations in enabling rigorous programs.
• Academic Policy – Which programs (e.g., dual enrollment, STEM labs, arts integration) produce measurable outcomes.

In short, Business Insider’s roundup is a springboard for a broader conversation about what constitutes “the best” in public education. Whether you’re a parent trying to choose a school for your child, a teacher looking for best‑practice models, or a policymaker seeking evidence‑based strategies, the article provides both a snapshot of current leaders and the data needed to replicate their success.