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Experts at RTI International supported data collection and analysis for the rankings
RESEARCH TRIANGLE N.C. — U.S. News & World Report today released its 2025 Best High Schools rankings, offering a comprehensive look at public school performance across the country. The rankings are based on data collected and analyzed by RTI International, an independent scientific research institute.
Nearly 18,000 high schools were evaluated for the national list. BASIS Tucson North, Signature School and Central Magnet School earned the top three positions in this year’s rankings.
Among states, Washington D.C. and Delaware had the highest proportion of schools in the top 5% nationally, each with 13% and 12% of their public high schools making the list, respectively. Other states with strong representation included Massachusetts and New Jersey.
“Our 2025-2026 Best High Schools rankings, developed in collaboration with RTI International, provide families with comprehensive data beyond just test scores," said LaMont Jones, Ed.D., managing editor for education at U.S. News & World Report. "By evaluating six key factors, including how well schools serve underserved students, we're giving parents and students the information they need to make the best educational decisions for their future.”
RTI collaborated with U.S. News to implement a methodology with six factors: (1) state assessment proficiency, (2) state assessment performance, (3) underserved student performance, (4) graduation rate, (5) college readiness and (6) college curriculum breadth. Specifically, college readiness measures participation and performance on Advanced Placement® (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) tests.
In addition to the national list, charter schools are ranked separately and available on the Best Charter Schools section. U.S. News also released state-by-state rankings for all public high schools.
Media Contact for U.S. News & World Report: Shamari White (swhite@usnews.com)
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About RTI International
RTI International is an independent scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world's most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach—one that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the world’s most challenging problems.
About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services.
RTI International is an independent scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world's most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach—one that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the world’s most challenging problems.
For more information, visit www.rti.org.