What Are the Most Selective High Schools in the Bay Area?

I've been thinking about possible high schools to apply for in the coming year, and I'm interested in challenging myself. Which high schools in the Bay Area are considered the most selective?

There are quite a few schools in the Bay Area renowned for their academic rigor and selectivity. Here are some of the most selective ones:

1. Lowell High School: Regarded as one of the top public high schools in the Bay Area, admission to Lowell is highly competitive and requires excellent grades and test scores.

2. Mission San Jose High School: Located in Fremont, this school is known for its academic rigor. Admission is via Fremont Unified School District's lottery system and residential zone, making it competitive due to high demand.

3. Harker School: A coeducational, non-sectarian, private college preparatory school located in San Jose, Harker has selective admissions based on a testing process that includes cognitive abilities and mathematics tests, along with a character skills snapshot.

4. Gunn High School and Palo Alto High School: Both are part of the Palo Alto Unified School District. Despite being public schools, they're located in an area known for high academic achievement, making for a competitive environment.

5. University Preparatory Academy: It's a charter school in San Jose known for a challenging curriculum emphasizing college readiness.

6. Crystal Springs Uplands School: An independent day school located in Hillsborough with competitive admissions, including a rigorous application process requiring interviews, essays, and standardized test scores.

7. The College Preparatory School: Located in Oakland, this selective independent high school has an admissions process involving a thorough assessment of student's academic capabilities.

Remember, “selective” does not always mean "better." You should ensure that the high school you choose aligns well with your academic goals, learning style, and personal interests. It's important to consider stress levels, extracurricular opportunities, and the school culture too. Each of these schools also has different offerings in terms of classes, sports, and clubs, so those are other points you might want to consider.