News Summary
California showcased its prowess in public education with three schools ranking among the top 25 nationally in the latest U.S. News & World Report. Whitney High School in Cerritos topped the state, coming in at 16th place nationally, followed by Oxford Academy and Science Academy STEM Magnet. The rankings, which assess over 24,000 schools using metrics such as college readiness and graduation rates, serve as a valuable tool for students and families in selecting schools that foster academic success.
Cerritos, California – The 2025-2026 Best Public High Schools rankings were recently released, showcasing California’s dominance in public education with three schools making it into the top 25 nationally. This report by U.S. News & World Report analyzed performance data across more than 24,000 public high schools from all 50 states and Washington D.C. The rankings are designed to assist students in identifying schools that can help them develop their strengths and preparing for future academic and career opportunities.
Among the top performers, Whitney High School in Cerritos stood out as the highest ranked public high school in California, coming in at No. 16 nationally. This school serves an enrollment of 691 students in grades 9 through 12 and features a student-teacher ratio of 26:1. Following closely, Oxford Academy in Cypress earned the 19th spot nationally with 831 students enrolled, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 25:1. Meanwhile, the Science Academy STEM Magnet in North Hollywood ranked 20th nationally, serving 226 students with a 24:1 student-teacher ratio.
The top ten public high schools in the U.S. include prestigious institutions such as BASIS Tucson North in Arizona, Signature School in Indiana, and Central Magnet School in Tennessee. In addition to the top three California schools, the state also boasted other notable institutions like Dr. Richard A. Valdovic Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy in Wilmington and the California Academy of Mathematics and Science in Carson, among others.
In total, California ranked 24th in overall education nationwide, accounting for both higher education and K-12 metrics. The state had a significant representation with 1,646 schools included in the rankings, reflecting its extensive public school network. Moreover, over 18,000 schools nationwide were assessed as part of this ranking framework.
The U.S. News rankings utilize crucial performance metrics such as college readiness, state assessment proficiency, graduation rates, and the performance of underserved students to evaluate schools. These metrics derive from data collected in the 2022-2023 school year. U.S. News partnered with RTI International to create the methodology that underpins these assessments, ensuring a comprehensive and consistent evaluation process.
Additional factors that contributed to the rankings include the number of Advanced Placement (AP) exams taken, passage rates, as well as proficiency in mathematics, reading, and science. Graduation rates also played a significant role in determining each school’s position on the list.
The rankings serve not just as a measure of school performance but also as a resource to help families and students make informed decisions about education pathways. With robust data, U.S. News aims to highlight schools that excel in preparing students for future challenges and opportunities. As California celebrates its high-ranking institutions, it continues to face challenges in improving education across all levels, but the achievements of its top public high schools illustrate ongoing efforts toward excellence in education.
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Additional Resources
- Culver City Crossroads
- Wikipedia: U.S. News & World Report
- Sacramento Bee
- Google Search: California public schools rankings
- FOX 11 Los Angeles
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School
- SFGate
- Google News: California high school rankings
- Modesto Bee
- Google Scholar: California high schools us news
Author: STAFF HERE HOLLYWOOD
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