What Are the Best Public Schools in the U.S.?

I’m trying to understand which public schools provide the best education and college prep. I'm open to schools anywhere in the country. What are some top-ranked public high schools?

Certainly, there are many great public schools across the U.S. that provide excellent education and are strongly college-focused. Here are some that often get highlighted:

1. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology — This school, located in Alexandria, VA, is known for its strong STEM curriculum.

2. Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy — Located in Aurora, IL, it has a residential program for academically talented students interested in the STEM fields. They have many partnerships with local colleges and universities.

3. North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics — This Durham, NC-based school has both online and residential programs and is open to students throughout all of North Carolina at no cost.

4. Stuyvesant High School — Located in New York, NY, this school’s highly competitive admissions process screens for top performers in the city.

5. The Bronx High School of Science — Another top public school in New York City, this school has a strong focus on research and in-depth exploration of the sciences.

6. Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science — This school, located in Worcester, MA, collaborates with Worcester Polytechnic Institute to offer a college-level curriculum to its students.

7. The Davidson Academy — Based in Reno, NV, this school offers both an online and a face-to-face program for profoundly gifted students, with many students going on to prestigious colleges.

These schools all have excellent reputations for their rigorous academic curricula and for preparing students well for college. However, they all have competitive admissions processes, so it's best to research each school individually to understand what's required for application. Additionally, it's worth noting that "best" can be subjective and depends on what you're looking for in a school. Therefore, consider your personal interests, potential major, school culture, location, and size preferences when making your list.