Top High Schools in the U.S. Ranked by U.S. News for 2024

The U.S. News & World Report has just released its highly anticipated 2024 best public high schools rankings, causing a stir in the education community. With rankings at both a national and state level, schools across the country are eager to see where they stand.

Locally, Marine Science Magnet High School of Southeastern in Groton made headlines by ranking as the No. 3 high school in the state, although it fell two places from its previous ranking. Nationally, the school secured the No. 225 spot, showcasing its commitment to academic excellence.

The rankings took into account a staggering 25,000 public high schools from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The list encompassed a variety of school types, including traditional, charter, and magnet schools, as well as those specializing in STEM education.

Factors such as college readiness, curriculum quality, state assessments, underserved student performance, and graduation rates were carefully considered in the ranking process. The rankings were compiled in collaboration with RTI, a respected nonprofit global social science research firm.

While no high schools in Connecticut made it to the top 100 nationally, the state still boasted some impressive institutions. Connecticut IB Academy in East Hartford secured the No. 117 spot nationally, followed by Darien High School at No. 169.

For a full breakdown of the rankings by state and school type, interested readers can visit usnews.com/education/best-high-schools. The release of these rankings serves as a reminder of the ongoing pursuit of excellence in education across the country.