By Ashley May – USA Today

May 03, 2019 – Of more than 17,000 high schools across the nation, a school in SC claimed the top spot on U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 Best High Schools. 

Of more than 17,000 high schools across the nation, a school in South Carolina claimed the top spot on U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 Best High Schools. This year’s list includes thousands more schools than past years, drastically up from 2,700 schools included last year.

“By evaluating more schools than ever before, the new edition expands that focus so all communities can see which schools in their area are successfully serving their students – including historically underserved populations,” said Anita Narayan, managing editor of Education at U.S. News.

The 2019 list, which published Tuesday ahead of Teacher Appreciation Week, ranked schools by college readiness, reading and math proficiency, reading and math performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth and graduation rates. Aside from overall rankings, U.S. News also ranked STEM high schools, charter schools and magnet high schools.

Texas had the most schools listed in the top 20 followed by Arizona and California, which each had two schools listed.

2019 Best High Schools National Rankings – Top 10

  1. Academic Magnet High School (South Carolina)
  2. Maine School of Science and Mathematics (Maine)
  3. BASIS Scottsdale (Arizona)
  4. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Virginia)
  5. Central Magnet School (Tennessee)
  6. Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (Georgia)
  7. Haas Hall Academy (Arkansas)
  8. International Academy of Macomb (Michigan)
  9. Payton College Preparatory High School (Illinois)
  10. Signature School (Indiana)

2019 Best STEM High Schools – Top 5

  1. High Technology High School (New Jersey)
  2. BASIS Scottsdale (Arizona)
  3. BASIS Peoria (Arizona)
  4. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Virginia)
  5. The Early College at Guilford (North Carolina)

2019 Best Charter High Schools – Top 5

  1. BASIS Scottsdale (Arizona)
  2. Haas Hall Academy (Arkansas)
  3. Signature School (Indiana)
  4. BASIS Chandler (Arizona)
  5. BASIS Peoria (Arizona)