News Summary
The California Academy of Mathematics and Science (CAMS) has been named the best public high school in Los Angeles County according to recent rankings by Niche. This recognition reflects CAMS’s commitment to academic excellence and comprehensive college resources for students. Competing against nearly 2,000 high schools in California, CAMS stands out alongside other top schools such as Whitney High School. The rankings provide insights into educational quality through various performance indicators.
Carson
The California Academy of Mathematics and Science (CAMS) has been recognized as the best public high school in Los Angeles County for 2026, according to the latest organizational rankings. The announcement from Niche places CAMS at the forefront of educational excellence within the county, reflecting its commitment to academic rigor and robust college resources for students.
This ranking comes amidst broader assessments by various educational ranking organizations, including U.S. News & World Report, which recently published its findings for the 2025-2026 Best Public High Schools in America. California has a notable presence in these rankings, with nearly 2,000 high schools evaluated.
Among those, CAMS has distinguished itself not only in local rankings but also on a state scale. In addition to CAMS’s commendable standing in Los Angeles County, Whitney High School in Cerritos claimed the title of the best public high school in California, ranking 16th nationally. This highlights a competitive landscape in public education within the state.
Performance Indicators and Methodology
The rankings from both Niche and U.S. News provide insights based on various metrics designed to evaluate school performance comprehensively. Niche, which is releasing its rankings for the 11th year, factors in qualitative evaluations, drawing contributions from students, alumni, and parents, as well as quantitative data. This holistic approach ensures that rankings are reflective not only of academic achievement but also of the overall school experience.
U.S. News employs specific performance indicators, including college readiness, state assessment proficiency, the performance of underserved students, and graduation rates. Their rankings include a total of 1,646 high schools from California alone, highlighting the state’s educational diversity.
Top Public High Schools in California
The U.S. News rankings of California’s top public high schools include:
- 1. Whitney High School, Cerritos (National Rank: 16)
- 2. Oxford Academy, Cypress (National Rank: 19)
- 3. Science Academy STEM Magnet, North Hollywood (National Rank: 20)
- 4. Dr. Richard A. Valdovic Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy, Wilmington
- 5. California Academy of Mathematics and Science, Carson
- 6. Riverside Stem Academy, Riverside
- 7. University High School, Fresno
- 8. Dr. T.J. Owens Gilroy Early College Academy, Gilroy
- 9. Pacific Collegiate Charter, Santa Cruz
- 10. Lynbrook High School, San Jose
This comprehensive list further outlines the high achievements and educational standards maintained by these institutions throughout California.
Context on California’s Educational Landscape
Despite CAMS’s impressive ranking, California’s standing on an educational quality scale is noteworthy, ranking 24th in the country overall. This evaluation takes into account both K-12 education and higher education metrics. Comparing the performance indicators used by Niche and U.S. News, it is clear that they aim to provide a well-rounded view of high school effectiveness and student readiness for post-secondary opportunities.
The recognition of CAMS as the top public high school in Los Angeles County adds to its reputation as an environment conducive to learning for overachievers, as noted by parents and the school community. These accolades from various ranking organizations bolster the school’s profile and exemplify the dedication to education that exists in this part of California.
Furthermore, on the private school side, Oak Crest Academy in Pomona has been acknowledged as the best private high school in Los Angeles County, indicating a vibrant educational sector that caters to diverse student populations throughout the region.
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Additional Resources
- Patch: Best Public High Schools in LA County
- Los Angeles Times: New School Year in LA
- Modesto Bee: California High Schools Rankings
- Wikipedia: Education in California
- Fox LA: Best High Schools in California
- Google Search: California High School Rankings
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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" with coverage of 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 from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while delivering top reporting on high-value events like the Academy Awards, LA Auto Show, and Los Angeles Marathon, extending coverage to key organizations such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, plus leading businesses in entertainment and technology like Warner Bros. and SpaceX, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREAnaheim.com , HERECostaMesa.com , HEREHuntingtonBeach.com , and HERESantaAna.com , providing comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape. HERE Anaheim HERE Beverly Hills HERE Coronado HERE Costa Mesa HERE Hollywood HERE Huntington Beach HERE Long Beach HERE Los Angeles HERE Mission Viejo HERE San Diego HERE Santa Ana
