The 10 Best Public High Schools In America

Location: Riviera Beach, Florida

Average SAT score: 1744

Average AP score: 2.9

Suncoast Community High School opened in 1989 as a magnet school. Students study in at least one of the school's four programs: Math, Science, and Engineering (MSE), Computer Science (CS), International Baccalaureate (IB), or the Innovative Interactive Technology Program (IIT).

For reference, the highest possible SAT score is 2400 and the highest possible AP (Advanced Placement) score is 5.

Location: Alexandria, Virginia

Average SAT score: 2153

Average AP score: 4.5

This publicly-funded charter school is incredibly selective, with a difficult admissions process. The curriculum focuses primarily on math, science, and technology, but it also teaches literature, music, the arts, and humanities.

For reference, the highest possible SAT score is 2400 and the highest possible AP (Advanced Placement) score is 5.

Location: Tucson, Arizona

Average SAT score: 1995

Average AP score: 3.9

Basis Tucson North is a charter school in Tucson with state-of-the-art facilities and a diverse range of students. It's the newest Basis school in Tucson, which operates several other schools there.

For reference, the highest possible SAT score is 2400 and the highest possible AP (Advanced Placement) score is 5.

Location: Miami, Florida

Average SAT score: 1812

Average AP score: 2.8

The School for Advanced Studies (SAS) is a dual-enrollment high school where students can take classes at both the high school and at Miami-Dade College (MDC). Juniors and seniors at SAS take classes while attending MDC, enabling them to transition seamlessly between high school and college.

For reference, the highest possible SAT score is 2400 and the highest possible AP (Advanced Placement) score is 5.

Location: Dallas, Texas

Average SAT score: 1914

Average AP score: 3.4

The School for the Talented and Gifted (TAG) is a public magnet high school that is known for its liberal arts program. The school focuses on small class sizes and personal attention to students.

For reference, the highest possible SAT score is 2400 and the highest possible AP (Advanced Placement) score is 5.

Location: Dallas, Texas

Average SAT score: 1786

Average AP score: 2.6

The mission of the Science and Engineering Magnet High School — or SEM — is to "provide students with a rigorous college preparatory, academic, and technical program relating to the sciences, mathematics, and engineering fields."

For reference, the highest possible SAT score is 2400 and the highest possible AP (Advanced Placement) score is 5.

Location: Scottsdale, Arizona

Average SAT score: 2152

Average AP score: 4.1

BASIS Scottsdale is a charter school that first opened in 2003. Since then it has risen to become one of the top high schools in the country. The school teaches challenging humanities, math, and science programs to 5th through 12th graders. High school students can take honors, AP, and Post AP level classes.

For reference, the highest possible SAT score is 2400 and the highest possible AP (Advanced Placement) score is 5.

Location: Bartow, Florida

Average SAT score: not available

Average AP score: 3.5

The International Baccalaureate (IB) School is a school-with-in-a school, located on the campus of Bartow High School. There are about 70 students in each class who take an international core curriculum and challenging academic courses.

For reference, the highest possible SAT score is 2400 and the highest possible AP (Advanced Placement) score is 5.

Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky

Average SAT score: 2070

Average AP score: 4.5

The Gatton Academy is a public high school that's funded by the state of Kentucky that's geared towards students interested in careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).

What makes this school different from other high schools is its relationship with Western Kentucky University: juniors and seniors take math and science classes there instead of in their own high school.

For reference, the highest possible SAT score is 2400 and the highest possible AP (Advanced Placement) score is 5.

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