These are 2023-24’s best high schools for 3 reasons

When you think about the best high schools in your district, what sets them apart? Several ideas may come to mind, including its ability to prepare students for college, student achievement levels and perhaps successful STEM education. These are at least the measurements used by U.S. News to determine their list of 2023-24’s best high schools in the country.

This year’s rankings, which were released on Tuesday, highlight the schools “whose students demonstrate outstanding outcomes, surpassing the anticipated benchmarks, including achieving high graduation rates,” reads the news release.

In this edition, U.S. News identified the top high schools in four different categories: a national ranking, the best charter schools, the best magnet schools and the best STEM schools. Based on the rankings, one North Carolina-based high school earned its spot as the best high school in the country.

Here’s a look at each of the four rankings from U.S. News:

Top 10 National Ranking

1. The Early College at Guilford (NC)
2. Signature School (IN)
3. School for Advanced Studies (FL)
4. The Davidson Academy of Nevada (NV)
5. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (VA)
6. The School for the Talented and Gifted (TX)
7. Tesla STEM High School (WA)
8. Academic Magnet High School (SC)
9. Oxford Academy (CA)
10. Payton College Preparatory High School (IL)

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Top Five Charter Schools

1. Signature School Inc (IN)
2. BASIS Peoria (AZ)
3. Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science (NM)
4. BASIS Scottsdale (AZ)
5. BASIS Oro Valley (AZ)

Top Five Best Magnet High Schools

1. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (VA)
2. The School for the Talented and Gifted (TX)
3. Tesla STEM High School (WA)
4. Academic Magnet High School (SC)
5. International Academy of Macomb (MI)

Top Five Best STEM High Schools

1. High Technology High School (NJ)
2. BASIS Scottsdale (AZ)
3. Academy for Mathematics Science and Engineering (NJ)
4. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (VA)
5. BASIS Chandler (AZ)

“Having access to a strong high school program is paramount for students as they face an ever-changing world,” Liana Loewus, managing editor of education at U.S. News said in a statement. “Making data on our high schools available helps parents ensure their child is in the educational environment that best sets them up to thrive.”