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California’s best high schools ranked in new U.S. News list

James Ward Carly Sauvageau
USA TODAY NETWORK
April 14, 2026, 12:41 p.m. ET

As the 2025–26 school year heads toward its final stretch, many California parents — especially those with middle schoolers preparing for high school — may be weighing which campuses offer the strongest academic foundations.

Each year, U.S. News & World Report ranks the best public high schools across the country and within each state. For its latest rankings, the organization reviewed more than 24,000 public high schools nationwide, including 1,646 schools in California.

U.S. News bases its rankings on several factors, including college readiness, performance on state assessments, graduation rates, curriculum breadth, and how well schools serve underserved students. In California, those assessments draw on data from the California Department of Education, including Smarter Balanced testing results in English and math, as well as the California Science Test.

Southern California schools dominated the top of the list, though standout campuses from the Bay Area, Central Coast, and Central Valley also earned spots among the state’s highest-ranked schools.

Here’s a closer look at the 10 best high schools in California, according to U.S. News & World Report:

What are the top 10 high schools in California?

  1. Whitney High School — Cerritos (Ranked No. 16 nationally)Widely regarded as one of the most competitive public high schools in the nation, Whitney High School once again claimed the top spot in California.
  2. Oxford Academy — Cypress (Ranked No. 19 nationally)Known for its rigorous academics and strong college readiness metrics, Oxford Academy ranked second in the state.
  3. Science Academy STEM Magnet — North Hollywood (Ranked No. 20 nationally)This Los Angeles Unified School District magnet campus stood out for strong performance in science, technology, engineering and math.
  4. Dr. Richard A. Vladovic Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy — Wilmington (Ranked No. 29 nationally)The school focuses on preparing students for careers in education while maintaining high graduation and college readiness rates.
  5. California Academy of Mathematics and Science — Carson (Ranked No. 38 nationally)Located on the Cal State Dominguez Hills campus, CAMS is known for its advanced coursework and emphasis on STEM education.
  6. Riverside STEM Academy — Riverside (Ranked No. 43 nationally)This Inland Empire school earned high marks for student performance and the breadth of its college curriculum.
  7. University High School — Fresno (Ranked No. 63 nationally)A Central Valley standout, University High School ranked among the state’s best for academics and graduation outcomes.
  8. Dr. T.J. Owens Gilroy Early College Academy — Gilroy (Ranked No. 64 nationally)This early college program allows students to earn college credits while completing high school.
  9. Pacific Collegiate Charter — Santa Cruz (Ranked No. 70 nationally)The charter school was recognized for strong performance on state assessments and in college preparation.
  10. Lynbrook High School — San Jose (Ranked No. 86 nationally)A Bay Area mainstay, Lynbrook High School rounded out California’s top 10.

How California schools are ranked

Before graduating, California students must complete 13 state-mandated courses, including English, math, and science requirements. U.S. News evaluates how well schools prepare students for postsecondary success by examining college-level coursework participation, test scores, graduation rates, and overall academic performance.

When measured against the rest of the country, California performs strongly at the top tier. The state places numerous schools among the nation’s highest‑ranked public high schools, with California campuses regularly landing in the top 1% to 5% nationally. While overall academic outcomes vary by region and district, California’s highest‑ranked schools consistently outperform national averages in advanced coursework participation, graduation rates and college preparation, according to U.S. News.

What are the top 5 schools in the US?

  1. BASIS Peoria in Peoria, Arizona
  2. Signature School in Evansville, Indiana
  3. Central Magnet School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee
  4. Davidson Academy in Reno, Nevada
  5. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Virginia
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