Schools
California Has 524 U.S. News Best Schools In The Country For 2018
U.S. News & World Report released its annual list of best high schools in the country. See how CA schools ranked.
A whopping 524 California schools are ranked among the best in the U.S., according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2018 rankings of best high schools in the country. The highest ranked California school on the list was Whitney High School in Cerritos, which has consistently placed among the state's top learning institutions.
The 2018 best high school rankings were released Wednesday and evaluate more than 20,500 public high schools. U.S. News identified schools that best serve all students and assessed how prepared students are for college-level work. Schools are also recognized with gold, silver and bronze medals with gold indicating the greatest level of college readiness.
Eighty-five California schools received a gold medal, 439 received a silver medal and 82 schools received a bronze medal.
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Though California didn't hold any of the coveted Top 10 spots in the in the overall rankings, compared to other states, California's performance was rated as no. 2 by U.S. News — bested only by Massachusetts. The state-by-state performance rating was based on which states have the highest the highest proportion of schools with gold and silver medals. This metric showed that 25.4 percent of California's schools earned a gold or silver medal.
“Top-ranked schools succeed in three main areas: exceeding expectations on state proficiency tests, offering challenging coursework and graduating their students,” Anita Narayan, managing editor of Education at U.S. News, said in a press release.
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Here’s how the top 100 of California's schools finished according to place and medal in the 2018 rankings:
- GOLD: Whitney High School
Cerritos, CA | ABC Unified School District
#1 in California Rankings, #33 in National Rankings - GOLD: Oxford Academy
Cypress, CA | Anaheim Union High
#2 in California Rankings, #36 in National Rankings - GOLD: Stockton Collegiate International Secondary
Stockton, CA | Stockton Unified
#3 in California Rankings, #37 in National Rankings - GOLD: KIPP San Jose Collegiate
San Jose, CA | East Side Union High
#4 in California Rankings, #60 in National Rankings - GOLD: University High School (Fresno)
Fresno, CA | Fresno Unified
#5 in California Rankings, #74 in National Rankings - GOLD: Preuss School UCSD
La Jolla, CA | San Diego Unified School District
#6 in California Rankings, #76 in National Rankings - GOLD: Animo Leadership High
Inglewood, CA | Lennox
#7 in California Rankings, #78 in National Rankings - GOLD: Mission San Jose High
Fremont, CA | Fremont Unified
#8 in California Rankings, #88 in National Rankings - GOLD: University Preparatory Academy Charter
San Jose, CA | Santa Clara County Office Of Education
#9 in California Rankings, #93 in National Rankings - GOLD: Hawthorne Math and Science Academy
Hawthorne, CA | Hawthorne School District
#10 in California Rankings, #95 in National Rankings - GOLD: Lowell High School
San Francisco, CA | San Francisco Unified School District
#11 in California Rankings, #96 in National Rankings - GOLD: California Academy of Mathematics and Science
Carson, CA | Long Beach Unified
#12 in California Rankings, #110 in National Rankings - GOLD: Monta Vista High School
Cupertino, CA | Fremont Union High
#13 in California Rankings, #121 in National Rankings - GOLD: Canyon Crest Academy
San Diego, CA | San Dieguito Union High
#14 in California Rankings#132 in National Rankings - GOLD: Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies
Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles Unified School District
#15 in California Rankings, #135 in National Rankings - GOLD: Summit Preparatory Charter High
Redwood City, CA | Sequoia Union High
#16 in California Rankings, #136 in National Rankings - GOLD: Lynbrook High
San Jose, CA | Fremont Union High
#17 in California Rankings, #142 in National Rankings - GOLD: Leadership Public Schools: Richmond
Richmond, CA | West Contra Costa Unified
#18 in California Rankings, #144 in National Rankings - GOLD: Oakland Charter High
Oakland, CA | Oakland Unified
#19 in California Rankings, #147 in National Rankings - GOLD: Alliance Media Arts and Entertainment Design High
Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles Unified School District
#20 in California Rankings, #148 in National Rankings - GOLD: Campolindo High
Moraga, CA | Acalanes Union High
#21 in California Rankings, #158 in National Rankings - GOLD: KIPP King Collegiate High
San Lorenzo, CA | San Lorenzo Unified
#22 in California Rankings, #162 in National Rankings - GOLD: Dr. T.J. Owens Gilroy Early College Academy
Gilroy, CA | Gilroy Unified
#23 in California Rankings, #172 in National Rankings - GOLD: Stockton Unified Early College Academy
Stockton, CA | Stockton Unified
#24 in California Rankings, #173 in National Rankings - GOLD: Western Sierra Collegiate Academy
Rocklin, CA | Rocklin Unified
#25 in California Rankings, #184 in National Rankings - GOLD: Saratoga High
Saratoga, CA | Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High
#26 in California Rankings, #191 in National Rankings - GOLD: Lennox Mathematics, Science and Technology Academy
Lennox, CA | Lennox
#27 in California Rankings, #205 in National Rankings - GOLD: Amador Valley High
Pleasanton, CA | Pleasanton Unified
#28 in California Rankings, #206 in National Rankings - GOLD: Palos Verdes Peninsula High
Rolling Hills Estates, CA | Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified
#29 in California Rankings, #207 in National Rankings - GOLD: Redwood High
Larkspur, CA | Tamalpais Union High
#30 in California Rankings, #211 in National Rankings - GOLD: Everest Public High School
Redwood City, CA | Sequoia Union High
#31 in California Rankings, #212 in National Rankings - GOLD: Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy
Wilmington, CA | Los Angeles Unified School District
#32 in California Rankings, #215 in National Rankings - GOLD: Henry M. Gunn High
Palo Alto, CA | Palo Alto Unified
#33 in California Rankings, #216 in National Rankings - GOLD: Alliance Gertz-Ressler Richard Merkin 6-12 Complex
Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles Unified School District
#34 in California Rankings, #219 in National Rankings - GOLD: Leland High School
San Jose, CA | San Jose Unified School District
#35 in California Rankings, #235 in National Rankings - GOLD: Piedmont High School
Piedmont, CA | Piedmont City Unified
#36 in California Rankings, #238 in National Rankings - GOLD: Dougherty Valley High School
San Ramon, CA | San Ramon Valley Unified
#37 in California Rankings, #241 in National Rankings - GOLD: Chula Vista Learning Community Charter
Chula Vista, CA | Chula Vista Elementary
#38 in California Rankings, #245 in National Rankings - GOLD: La Canada High School
La Canada, CA | La Canada Unified
#39 in California Rankings, #249 in National Rankings - GOLD: University Preparatory
Redding, CA | Shasta Union High
#40 in California Rankings, #255 in National Rankings - GOLD: Del Norte High
San Diego, CA | Poway Unified
#41 in California Rankings, #256 in National Rankings - GOLD: Alliance Dr. Olga Mohan High
Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles Unified School District
#42 in California Rankings, #260 in National Rankings - GOLD: Summit Public School: Tahoma
San Jose, CA | Santa Clara County Office Of Education
#43 in California Rankings, #266 in National Rankings - GOLD: Palo Alto High
Palo Alto, CA | Palo Alto Unified
#44 in California Rankings, #270 in National Rankings - GOLD: Alliance Ted K. Tajima High School
Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles Unified School District
#45 in California Rankings, #279 in National Rankings - GOLD: Orange County School of the Arts
Santa Ana, CA | Santa Ana Unified
#46 in California Rankings, #289 in National Rankings - GOLD: Miramonte High
Orinda, CA | Acalanes Union High
#47 in California Rankings, #295 in National Rankings - GOLD: Torrey Pines High
San Diego, CA | San Dieguito Union High
#48 in California Rankings, #300 in National Rankings - GOLD: Leadership Public Schools - Hayward
Hayward, CA | Hayward Unified
#49 in California Rankings, #310 in National Rankings - GOLD: Mira Costa High
Manhattan Beach, CA | Manhattan Beach Unified
#50 in California Rankings, #325 in National Rankings - GOLD: Troy High School
Fullerton, CA | Fullerton Joint Union High
#51 in California Rankings, #326 in National Rankings - GOLD: Carmel High
Carmel, CA | Carmel Unified
#52 in California Rankings, #330 in National Rankings - GOLD: West Campus
Sacramento, CA | Sacramento City Unified
#53 in California Rankings, #331 in National Rankings - GOLD: Oscar de la Hoya Animo Charter High School
Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles Unified School District
#54 in California Rankings, #350 in National Rankings - GOLD: Arnold O. Beckman High
Irvine, CA | Tustin Unified
#55 in California Rankings, #355 in National Rankings - GOLD: Oakland Unity High
Oakland, CA | Oakland Unified
#56 in California Rankings, #357 in National Rankings - GOLD: Malibu High
Malibu, CA | Santa Monica-Malibu Unified
#57 in California Rankings, #364 in National Rankings - GOLD: Cupertino High
Cupertino, CA | Fremont Union High
#58 in California Rankings, #367 in National Rankings - GOLD: Diamond Bar High
Diamond Bar, CA | Walnut Valley Unified
#59 in California Rankings, #376 in National Rankings - GOLD: Roseland Charter School
Santa Rosa, CA | Roseland Public Schools
#60 in California Rankings, #382 in National Rankings - GOLD: San Marino High
San Marino, CA | San Marino Unified
#61 in California Rankings, #392 in National Rankings - GOLD: Alliance Marc and Eva Stern Math and Science
Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles Unified School District
#62 in California Rankings, #396 in National Rankings - GOLD: Los Gatos High
Los Gatos, CA | Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High
#63 in California Rankings, #401 in National Rankings - GOLD: Los Altos High (Los Altos)
Los Altos, CA | Mountain View-Los Altos Union High
#64 in California Rankings, #402 in National Rankings - GOLD: Aragon High
San Mateo, CA | San Mateo Union High
#65 in California Rankings, #403 in National Rankings - GOLD: University High School (Irvine)
Irvine, CA | Irvine Unified
#66 in California Rankings, #408 in National Rankings - GOLD: Sir Francis Drake High
San Anselmo, CA | Tamalpais Union High
#67 in California Rankings, #422 in National Rankings - GOLD: Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High
Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles Unified School District
#68 in California Rankings, #424 in National Rankings - GOLD: Westview High
San Diego, CA | Poway Unified
#69 in California Rankings, #425 in National Rankings - GOLD: Homestead High
Cupertino, CA | Fremont Union High
#70 in California Rankings, #428 in National Rankings - GOLD: Bright Star Secondary Charter Academy
Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles Unified School District
#71 in California Rankings, #432 in National Rankings - GOLD: Westlake High
Westlake Village, CA | Conejo Valley Unified
#72 in California Rankings, #438 in National Rankings - GOLD: Environmental Charter High
Lawndale, CA | Lawndale Elementary
#73 in California Rankings, #441 in National Rankings - GOLD: Mills High
Millbrae, CA | San Mateo Union High
#74 in California Rankings, #449 in National Rankings - GOLD: Acalanes High
Lafayette, CA | Acalanes Union High
#75 in California Rankings, #454 in National Rankings - GOLD: PUC Community Charter Early College High
Lakeview Terrace, CA | Los Angeles Unified
#76 in California Rankings, #462 in National Rankings - GOLD: Cerritos High
Cerritos, CA | ABC Unified School District
#77 in California Rankings, #468 in National Rankings - GOLD: Alliance Huntington Park College-Ready Academy High
Huntington Park, CA | Los Angeles Unified School District
#78 in California Rankings, #470 in National Rankings - GOLD: Northwood High
Irvine, CA | Irvine Unified
#79 in California Rankings, #475 in National Rankings - GOLD: La Jolla High
La Jolla, CA | San Diego Unified School District
#80 in California Rankings, #476 in National Rankings - GOLD: Foothill High
Pleasanton, CA | Pleasanton Unified
#81 in California Rankings, #477 in National Rankings - GOLD: Foshay Learning Center
Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles Unified School District
#82 in California Rankings, #478 in National Rankings - GOLD: Cobalt Institute of Math and Science Academy
Victorville, CA | Victor Valley Union High
#83 in California Rankings, #486 in National Rankings - GOLD: Foothill Technology High
Ventura, CA | Ventura Unified
#84 in California Rankings, #498 in National Rankings - GOLD: Abraham Lincoln High School
San Francisco, CA | San Francisco Unified School District
#85 in California Rankings, #499 in National Rankings - SILVER: Burlingame High
Burlingame, CA | San Mateo Union High
#86 in California Rankings, #505 in National Rankings - SILVER: Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts
San Francisco, CA | San Francisco Unified School District
#87 in California Rankings, #510 in National Rankings - SILVER: Mt. Everest Academy
San Diego, CA | San Diego Unified School District
#88 in California Rankings, #511 in National Rankings - SILVER: Oak Park High
Oak Park, CA | Oak Park Unified
#89 in California Rankings, #525 in National Rankings - SILVER: Crescenta Valley High
La Crescenta, CA | Glendale Unified
#90 in California Rankings, #539 in National Rankings - SILVER: Leigh High
San Jose, CA | Campbell Union High
#91 in California Rankings, #543 in National Rankings - SILVER: North Tahoe High
Tahoe City, CA | Tahoe-Truckee Unified
#92 in California Rankings, #548 in National Rankings - SILVER: River Valley Charter
Lakeside, CA | Lakeside Union Elementary
#93 in California Rankings, #556 in National Rankings - SILVER: La Quinta High
Westminster, CA | Garden Grove Unified
#94 in California Rankings, #557 in National Rankings - SILVER: Animo Venice Charter High
Venice, CA | Los Angeles Unified School District
#95 in California Rankings, #562 in National Rankings - SILVER: Thirty-Second Street Usc Performing Arts
Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles Unified School District
#96 in California Rankings, #565 in National Rankings - SILVER: Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy
Arcata, CA | Humboldt County Office Of Education
#97 in California Rankings, #574 in National Rankings - SILVER: Palisades Charter High
Pacific Palisades, CA | Los Angeles Unified School District
#98 in California Rankings, #581 in National Rankings - SILVER: Ann Sobrato High
Morgan Hill, CA | Morgan Hill Unified
#99 in California Rankings, #585 in National Rankings - SILVER: Alliance Judy Ivie Burton Technology Academy High
Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles Unified School District
#100 in California Rankings, #586 in National Rankings
To determine the rankings, U.S. News teamed up with the social science research firm RTI International. A variety of data sources, including the Common Core of Data, College Board and the International Baccalaureate, were used.
A four-step process was used to rank all eligible schools. The first two steps were to determine whether students were performing better than statistically expected in the state and whether minority were performing at or better than the state average for minority students, which was the second step. The third step required schools to meet or surpass a certain graduation benchmark and the final step was to determine college readiness. (You can read the full methodology here.)
The top 10 high schools in the U.S. overall are:
- BASIS Scottsdale (AZ)
- BASIS Chandler (AZ)
- BASIS Oro Valley (AZ)
- BASIS Tucson North (AZ)
- BASIS Flagstaff (AZ)
- Meridian School (TX)
- International Academy of Macomb (MI)
- BASIS Peoria (AZ)
- Baccalaureate School for Global Education (NY)
- Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (VA)
Click here to see the full rankings and for more insight on the data.
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— Patch Editor By Feroze Dhanoa contributed to this report / Image via Shutterstock
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