Tucson, AZ, August 26, 2025
News Summary
U.S. News & World Report has released its latest rankings for public high schools, evaluating over 24,000 institutions. BASIS Tucson North in Arizona takes the top spot, while the findings highlight the influence of educational quality on housing markets. The rankings consider key performance factors, including college readiness and graduation rates, reflecting trends in educational excellence and parental investment in real estate. The list reveals significant premiums on homes in districts with high-ranking schools, impacting families seeking the best educational opportunities for their children.
Tucson, AZ – U.S. News & World Report has unveiled its 2025-26 Best U.S. High Schools rankings, evaluating over 24,000 public high schools across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The comprehensive rankings highlight the top educational institutions in the country, focusing on essential performance factors that influence college readiness and overall student success.
Nearly 18,000 schools were assessed based on six key performance factors. These factors include college readiness (30%), state assessment proficiency (20%), state assessment performance (20%), underserved student performance (10%), college curriculum breadth (10%), and graduation rate (10%). This rigorous methodology ensures a thorough evaluation of each school’s capabilities and its effectiveness in preparing students for post-secondary education.
The top-ranking school in the country is BASIS Tucson North, located in Tucson, Arizona. This achievement marks a significant recognition for the institution as it leads a surprising trend showing a lack of representation from Northeast schools in the highest ranks. The first Northeast school appears at No. 25 with Queens High School for the Sciences at York College in Jamaica, New York, while Manhattan’s renowned Stuyvesant High School is ranked No. 33.
Many of the schools listed in the rankings do not charge tuition for attending students; however, residing near these top schools often incurs higher housing costs. Families aiming to provide their children with access to these high-performing schools frequently find themselves paying a premium for homes in these desirable areas. The median list price of homes in such districts is approximately $1.21 million, which is 135% higher than the average in surrounding metropolitan areas.
The data reveals that the Carroll Independent School District in the Dallas metropolitan area boasts the highest housing premium at a staggering 390.9%, followed closely by the Laguna Beach Unified School District in Los Angeles at 322%. Additionally, the Reed Union Elementary School District in the San Francisco Bay Area has a 304.7% premium, while the Ladue School District in St. Louis and the New Hope-Solebury School District in Philadelphia have premiums of 222.8% and 223.9%, respectively.
Parents are often motivated to invest in homes located within these high-ranking school districts, which they believe will lead to improved educational outcomes for their children. By relocating to areas with better schooling options, families aim to enhance their children’s academic achievements and future career prospects.
Admission criteria for top-rated public high schools can vary significantly. Some institutions do not require district residency, while others necessitate academic testing or come with tuition fees. The rankings list the top 10 public high schools in the U.S. as follows:
- BASIS Tucson North (AZ)
- Signature School (IN)
- Central Magnet School (TN)
- Davidson Academy of Nevada (NV)
- Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (VA)
- Albuquerque Institute of Math and Science (NM)
- Haas Hall Bentonville (AR)
- Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (PA)
- The School for the Talented and Gifted (TX)
- Aiken Scholars Academy (SC)
This latest report sheds light on ongoing trends in educational quality across the United States, revealing the significant influence parental decisions have on real estate within high-performing school districts. As families continue to prioritize education, the implications of these rankings are likely to affect both housing markets and educational landscapes in various regions.
FAQs
What factors are used to rank public high schools?
The rankings consider six performance factors: college readiness, state assessment proficiency, state assessment performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth, and graduation rates.
What is the top public high school in the U.S. according to the 2025-26 rankings?
BASIS Tucson North in Tucson, AZ, is ranked as the top public high school in the United States.
Which regions have the highest housing premiums near top public schools?
The Carroll Independent School District in Dallas has the highest housing premium, followed by the Laguna Beach Unified School District and the Reed Union Elementary School District.
What implications do school rankings have on real estate?
High-ranking schools tend to drive up housing prices as families seek to live within these districts, leading to significant premiums on home prices compared to surrounding areas.
Key Features of the Top Public High Schools
| Rank | School Name | Location | Housing Premium (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BASIS Tucson North | Tucson, AZ | N/A |
| 2 | Signature School | Evansville, IN | N/A |
| 3 | Central Magnet School | Murfreesboro, TN | N/A |
| 4 | Davidson Academy of Nevada | Las Vegas, NV | N/A |
| 5 | Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology | Alexandria, VA | N/A |
| 6 | Albuquerque Institute of Math and Science | Albuquerque, NM | N/A |
| 7 | Haas Hall Bentonville | Bentonville, AR | N/A |
| 8 | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School | Philadelphia, PA | N/A |
| 9 | The School for the Talented and Gifted | Dallas, TX | N/A |
| 10 | Aiken Scholars Academy | Aiken, SC | N/A |
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Additional Resources
- Savannah Now: Best Public High Schools in Savannah
- Norwich Bulletin: Best High Schools in Connecticut
- Providence Journal: Best Public High Schools in Rhode Island
- CBS News: Best High Schools in Massachusetts
- Cincinnati.com: Best High Schools in Ohio
- Wikipedia: High School
- Google Search: Best High Schools in the US
- Google Scholar: High School Rankings
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School
- Google News: High School Ranking News
Author: STAFF HERE AIKEN
The AIKEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAiken.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Aiken, Aiken County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Aiken Horse Show, Aiken Bluegrass Festival, and polo matches at Whitney Field. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken County Historical Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as Bridgestone and the Aiken County Visitors Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
