Overview

As the 2025–26 school year approaches its conclusion, many parents in California, particularly those with middle school students, are considering which high schools provide the best academic foundations. U.S. News & World Report has released its latest rankings of public high schools across the United States, including a detailed assessment of schools in California.

In its evaluation, U.S. News analyzed over 24,000 public high schools nationwide, with 1,646 schools from California included in the review. The rankings are determined by various factors such as college readiness, state assessment performance, graduation rates, curriculum breadth, and support for underserved students.

Key details

  • U.S. News & World Report ranks public high schools annually.
  • California has 1,646 schools reviewed in the latest rankings.
  • The evaluation considers over 24,000 public high schools nationwide.
  • Key factors for ranking include college readiness and performance on state assessments.
  • Graduation rates and curriculum breadth are also critical components of the evaluation.
  • California assessments include Smarter Balanced testing results and the California Science Test.
  • Southern California schools are prominent in the top rankings.
  • Schools from the Bay Area, Central Coast, and Central Valley also feature in the top tier.
  • California students must complete 13 state-mandated courses before graduation.
  • U.S. News assesses college preparation through coursework participation and test scores.
  • California's highest-ranked schools consistently exceed national averages in advanced coursework participation and graduation rates.
  • Many California schools rank within the top 1% to 5% nationally.

Context

The rankings serve as a guide for parents and students navigating the high school selection process, highlighting schools that excel in preparing students for postsecondary education.

What happens next