The top public high schools, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report, span all regions of the country, from Virginia to Florida to Texas to Washington.

Bans on transgender athletes in girls' high school sports have swept through red states over the last year, but the wave hit a brick wall in Indiana and Utah.

Female students have given several reasons for not taking STEM classes, including when a certain course is predominantly male. They are also worried about hazing or appearing less intelligent, career counselors say.

Though families continue to pull students from public schools, there are strategies already being implemented to help reverse the decline.