Full Breakdown
U.S. News & World Report Publishes 2026-27 Best High Schools Rankings
8/19/2026, 4:19:56 AM
Core Event
U.S. News & World Report released its annual 2026-27 Best High Schools list, ranking nearly 18,000 public high schools nationwide. The top three schools were Central Magnet School (Tennessee), Signature School (Indiana) and Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Pennsylvania). Nikola Tesla STEM High School near Redmond, Washington placed ninth, while two District of Columbia schools—School Without Walls (5th) and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (6th)—joined the national top-10.
Background & Context
The rankings evaluate schools on six weighted indicators: college readiness (30 %), college-curriculum breadth (10 %), state-assessment proficiency (20 %), state-assessment performance (20 %), underserved-student performance (10 %) and graduation rate (10 %). Scores are summed to produce an overall weighted score. The methodology emphasizes performance on state tests and college-level exams such as AP and IB, as well as how schools serve Black, Latino and low-income students.
Data & Statistics
- Approximately 27,000 public high schools were considered; 18,000 received a rank.
- 47 % of Massachusetts public high schools fell in the top quartile, the highest state share, followed by New Jersey (44 %) and Maryland (43 %).
- Washington contributed 6 % of the schools in the national top-5 % and placed five schools in the overall top 260, including Nikola Tesla STEM (9th).
- District of Columbia’s School Without Walls jumped from 2,488th to a tie for first nationally on state-assessment rankings.
- Boston Latin School ranked 44th nationally, the only state school in the top 100, with a 99 % graduation rate and 100 % of students taking at least one AP exam.
State Performance Highlights
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth led the nation in the proportion of schools in the top quarter and saw Boston Latin School rise two spots to 44th nationally. Six Massachusetts schools appeared among the top 50 STEM high schools, with Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School at No. 32.
Washington
Washington ranked 19th in representation of top schools, accounting for 6 % of the top-5 % list. Notable placements included Nikola Tesla STEM High School (9th), International School in Bellevue (41st), Raisbeck Aviation High School (127th), Lincoln High School (238th) and Mercer Island High School (260th).
District of Columbia
School Without Walls achieved a dramatic climb to 5th nationally, while Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology held steady at 6th. Both schools excelled in college-readiness and state-assessment metrics.
New Jersey
New Jersey held the second-largest share of top-quarter schools (44 %). High Technology High School in Monmouth County was the nation’s top STEM school, and a sweep of competitive-admission schools occupied the state’s top 11 spots.
Official Statements & Responses
Lamont Jones, managing editor for education at U.S. News, emphasized the rankings’ role in guiding families: “Every student deserves a pathway to success, and that journey often begins with selecting the right school.” He noted School Without Walls’ leap from No. 69 to No. 5 and its tie for first nationally on state-assessment performance.
Verbatim Quotes
- “They continue to perform at a very, very, very high level,” — Lamont Jones, managing editor for education at U.S. News
- “They tied for first nationally in three areas: the College Readiness Index, Graduation Rate and State Assessment Proficiency,” — Lamont Jones, managing editor for education at U.S. News
What’s Next
U.S. News & World Report will update the rankings annually, with the next release expected in the 2027-28 cycle. States and districts are expected to review the methodology’s impact on policy decisions, particularly where high-stakes testing and college-readiness metrics influence funding and curriculum reforms.
