Several California campuses earned high scores in U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools rankings for the 2026-2027 school year, the publication said.
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Four public high schools in the Golden State ranked among the top 25 in the country, according to the report released Tuesday, Aug. 18.
The report reviewed more than 27,000 public schools across the United States, ranking them based on their performance on state assessments, graduation rates and how well they prepare students for college.
College readiness measured the percentage of 12th graders from the class of 2022-2023 who took at least one advanced placement or international baccalaureate (IB) exam by the end of their senior year and the percentage of 12th graders who earned a qualifying score on at least one AP or IB exam in high school, U.S. News said.
How did California schools fare?
Of the four California schools that made the top 25 in the nation, one made the top 10.
The Science Academy Stem Magnet school in North Hollywood in the Los Angeles Unified School District moved from 20th in last year’s ranking to 10th on the just-released list. It took the top spot in the California rankings.
It was closely followed by Whitney High School in Cerritos in the ABC Unified School District at No. 11 nationally, moving up from No. 16 on last year’s national list.
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Oxford Academy in Cypress in the Anaheim Unified School District claimed the 17th spot on the national list, moving up from 19th.
Dr. Richard A. Vladovic Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy in Wilmington in the Los Angeles Unified School District ranked No. 24 on the list, up from No. 29 a year ago.
Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy in Gilroy made the top 50 on the national list, coming in at 37th overall and 5th in the California rankings.
University High School in Fresno was ranked 64th in the nation and 6th in California rankings.
The schools that made the top five on the national list were Central Magnet School in Tennessee, Signature School in Indiana, Julia R. Masterman Secondary School in Pennsylvania, Davidson Academy in Nevada, and School Without Walls High School in Washington, D.C.
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Top 10 high schools in California-only ranking:
- Science Academy Stem Magnet, North Hollywood
- Whitney High School, Cerritos
- Oxford Academy, Cypress
- Dr. Richard A. Vladovic Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy, Wilmington
- Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy, Gilroy
- University High School, Fresno
- California Academy of Mathematics and Science, Carson
- Pacific Collegiate Charter, Santa Cruz
- Lynbrook High School, San Jose
- Mission San Jose High School, Fremont
