News Summary
U.S. News & World Report has released its rankings for Best Public High Schools, evaluating nearly 2,000 institutions in California. The state secured the 24th position nationwide in education quality, highlighting challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and immigration concerns. The rankings consider factors like graduation rates, college readiness, and the achievement of underserved students. Various metro areas in California, including Los Angeles and San Diego, were also analyzed, revealing the efforts of schools to maintain academic standards amidst adversity.
Los Angeles – U.S. News & World Report has released its rankings for the 2025-2026 Best Public High Schools, highlighting nearly 2,000 California high schools. This year, California placed 24th out of all states in terms of education quality, considering both higher education and K-12 grades.
The study examined more than 24,000 public high schools nationwide, with 1,646 California institutions earning a spot in the rankings. Factors contributing to these rankings include college readiness, performance on state assessments, proficiency, graduation rates, and the performance of underserved students.
Among the various California high schools, the report identifies the top 10 schools within the state, providing their national rankings and emphasizing academic excellence. California students must fulfill specific requirements to graduate, which includes completing at least 13 state-mandated courses—three years of English, two years of math, and two years of science.
To ensure these academic standards are met, California students are assessed in subjects like English language arts, mathematics, and science through the Smarter Balanced assessments and the California Science Test.
Metro Area Rankings
In addition to state rankings, U.S. News provided insights specific to various metro areas, including Los Angeles and San Diego. The Los Angeles area features schools such as Long Beach and Anaheim in its top-rated list. San Francisco and San Jose are also evaluated in the rankings.
Methodology
The rankings are based on data collected during the 2022-2023 school year, in collaboration with RTI International. This comprehensive methodology assessed six critical performance indicators that influence student achievement, most notably student participation and outcomes on advanced placement exams.
Challenges Facing California Schools
California public schools face numerous challenges, including the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters like wildfires. For instance, despite these hurdles, seniors at Palisades Charter High School recently celebrated their graduation.
In light of recent immigration enforcement concerns, Los Angeles schools have introduced measures to create “safe zones” to protect undocumented families. Furthermore, the district has initiated the Wellbeing Center project in high schools across Los Angeles to provide critical mental and sexual health services, addressing the rising mental health crises among youth.
The current climate of student mental health concerns is aggravated by funding cuts resulting from a budget bill under the Trump administration, which led to layoffs at Planned Parenthood and a corresponding reduction in access to mental health services at schools. This reduction became particularly worrying amidst reports of declining student attendance, as fears of immigration raids significantly impacted graduation ceremonies and general school participation.
Efforts to Support Students
In response to these challenges, the Los Angeles Unified School District has implemented protective measures for students against nearby immigration enforcement. This includes distributing vital family preparedness information and deploying additional staff during critical periods, ensuring that no student feels compelled to stay home due to worries about immigration actions.
As California continues to navigate these challenges, the recent U.S. News rankings offer a snapshot of the current educational landscape, highlighting the ongoing efforts by schools to maintain academic standards and support their students amidst adversity.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
California High School Sports Kickoff with Exciting Matchups
Decline of High-Caliber Talent in Los Angeles School Sports
Southern California High School Sports Begin Strong Season
High School Sports: Southern California Football Week Highlights
High School Sports Kickoff in Southern California
Heavy Rain Forces Postponement of High School Football Games
Flowery Elementary School to Close Amid Budget Pressures
Chicago High Schools Shine in National Rankings
Police Arrest Made After Incident at Palisades High School
Concern Grows Over Safety of Students After ICE Detention
Additional Resources
- Patch: Top 25 High Schools in CA 2025-26
- Wikipedia: California
- Fortune: Immigration Enforcement in LA High Schools
- Google Search: California education system
- New York Times: LA School Patrols
- Google Scholar: California high schools
- LA Times: Mental Health Well-Being Centers in Schools
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Education in California
Author: STAFF HERE LOS ANGELES WRITER
LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER The LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELosAngeles.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Los Angeles, Los Angeles 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 LA Auto Show, Hollywood Film Awards, and the Los Angeles Marathon. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, plus leading businesses in entertainment and technology that power the local economy such as Warner Bros. and SpaceX. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
