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Three Southern California schools have been deemed some of the top high schools in the entire country. U.S. News and World Report recently released their list of Best High Schools which includes data on around 24,000 public high schools in 50 states. The ranking is based on performance on state assessments and how well the schools prepare their students for college.
The following Southern California public high schools all ranked within to top 20 accompanied by what U.S. News and World Report had to say about each school:
Whitney High School in Cerritos
- Ranked No. 1 in California, No. 14 overall
"Gretchen Whitney High School offers a variety of honors and Advanced Placement courses, including computer science, physics and foreign language. Students can earn extra weight in the University of California admissions index via successful completion of certain honors and AP courses. Admission to Whitney High School is selective and is based on state and district assessments and class rank. Parent involvement at Whitney High includes conferences, field trip participation and fundraising opportunities."
California Academy of Mathematics and Science in Carson
- Ranked No. 2 in California, No. 15 overall
"California Academy of Mathematics and Science is ranked second within California. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at California Academy of Mathematics and Science is 100%. The total minority enrollment is 93%, and 44% of students are economically disadvantaged. California Academy of Mathematics and Science is 1 of 15 high schools in the Long Beach Unified School District."
Oxford Academy in Cypress
- Ranked No. 3 in California, No. 16 overall
"Oxford Academy runs an intensive honors curriculum that requires students to take a minimum of four Advanced Placement courses to graduate. Ninth- and 10th-grade students can choose from four career pathways to supplement their core courses: biomedical science, engineering, business/entrepreneurship, and software systems and development. Oxford Academy boasts a culturally diverse student body, with many students coming from homes where English is the second language. Student groups include National Honor Society and the OA Fiddlers."