The "2019 Top 10 California Public High Schools" ranking evaluates 1,753 public high schools across California. Among the top ten best public high schools in the state, Canyon Crest Academy in San Diego ranks first this year. Five schools from the Bay Area, three from the Los Angeles area in Southern California, and two from the San Diego area made the list.
Top 1|Canyon Crest Academy
Canyon Crest Academy - 5951 Village Center Loop Rd, San Diego, CA 92130, USA
●Overall Grade: A+ (Academics A+ / Diversity B+ / Teachers A+ / College Prep A+ / Clubs & Activities B+ / Sports A)
●CAASPP Proficiency Rate: English 92%, Math 80%
●Average SAT Score: 1370
●Average ACT Score: 31
●Number of AP Courses: 22
●AP Exam Pass Rate: 57%
●Average Graduation Rate: 99%
●Student Population: Approx. 2,406
●Student-Teacher Ratio: 26:1
This year, CCA is the top-ranked school in the San Diego area, boasts the best faculty in the region, and is the number one ranked public high school in California. The student body is 67% White, followed by 23% Chinese students.
Top 2|Henry M. Gunn High School
Henry M Gunn High School - 780 Arastradero Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94306, USA
●Overall Grade: A+ (Academics A+ / Diversity A- / Teachers A+ / College Prep A+ / Clubs & Activities A+ / Sports A)
●CAASPP Proficiency Rate: English 93%, Math 91%
●Average SAT Score: 1410
●Average ACT Score: 32
●Number of AP Courses: 23
●AP Exam Pass Rate: 42%
●Average Graduation Rate: 96%
●Student Population: Approx. 1,896
●Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
The renowned Henry M. Gunn High School is one of only two public high schools in Palo Alto, Northern California (the other being the fifth-ranked Palo Alto High). Founded in 1964, Chinese students account for approximately 45% of the student body.
Top 3|Troy High School
Troy High School - 2200 Dorothy Ln, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA
●Overall Grade: A+ (Academics A+ / Diversity A / Teachers A+ / College Prep A+ / Clubs & Activities A- / Sports A)
●CAASPP Proficiency Rate: English 85%, Math 75%
●Average SAT Score: 1380
●Average ACT Score: 31
●Number of AP Courses: 37
●AP Exam Pass Rate: 53%
●Average Graduation Rate: 96%
●Student Population: Approx. 2,680
●Student-Teacher Ratio: 29:1
Located in Fullerton, Southern California, Troy High School is famous for its STEM academics. The Science Olympiad team is a traditional strength, having won first place in the National Science Olympiad for several consecutive years. Chinese students make up about 48% of the student body, followed by Latino students.
Top 4|Palo Alto High School
Palo Alto High School - 50 Embarcadero Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA
●Overall Grade: A+ (Academics A+ / Diversity B+ / Teachers A+ / College Prep A+ / Clubs & Activities A+ / Sports A-)
●CAASPP Proficiency Rate: English 83%, Math 78%
●Average SAT Score: 1370
●Average ACT Score: 31
●Number of AP Courses: 20
●AP Exam Pass Rate: 95%
●Average Graduation Rate: 96%
●Student Population: Approx. 1,943
●Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
Founded in 1898 and known locally as "Paly," it is one of the oldest public high schools in the area. Located in Silicon Valley, Northern California, it is near Stanford University. The school's sports program is a specialty, and it is the alma mater of NBA star Jeremy Lin. White students account for 50% of the student body, followed by 30% Chinese students.
Top 5|Miramonte High School
Miramonte High School - 750 Moraga Way, Orinda, CA 94563, USA
●Overall Grade: A+ (Academics A+ / Diversity B- / Teachers A+ / College Prep A+ / Clubs & Activities A+ / Sports A)
●CAASPP Proficiency Rate: English 88%, Math 78%
●Average SAT Score: 1350
●Average ACT Score: 31
●Number of AP Courses: 15
●AP Exam Pass Rate: 48%
●Average Graduation Rate: 98%
●Student Population: Approx. 1,277
●Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1
Affiliated with the Acalanes Union High School District and located near UC Berkeley, White students make up the majority at approximately 66%, followed by 15% Chinese students.
Top 6|Northwood High School
Northwood High School - 4515 Portola Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92620, USA
●Overall Grade: A+ (Academics A+ / Diversity A / Teachers A+ / College Prep A+ / Clubs & Activities B / Sports A+)
●CAASPP Proficiency Rate: English 85%, Math 81%
●Average SAT Score: 1370
●Average ACT Score: 31
●Number of AP Courses: 21
●AP Exam Pass Rate: 30%
●Average Graduation Rate: 98%
●Student Population: Approx. 2,237
●Student-Teacher Ratio: 27:1
Top 7|Saratoga High School
Saratoga High School - 20300 Herriman Ave, Saratoga, CA 95070, USA
●Overall Grade: A+ (Academics A+ / Diversity B / Teachers A+ / College Prep A+ / Clubs & Activities A / Sports A)
●CAASPP Proficiency Rate: English 87%, Math 90%
●Average SAT Score: 1420
●Average ACT Score: 32
●Number of AP Courses: 21
●AP Exam Pass Rate: 46%
●Average Graduation Rate: 96%
●Student Population: Approx. 1,341
●Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
Chinese students are the majority, accounting for about 58%, followed by 28% White students.
Top 8|Torrey Pines High School
Torrey Pines High School - 3710 Del Mar Heights Rd, San Diego, CA 92130, USA
●Overall Grade: A+ (Academics A+ / Diversity A- / Teachers A+ / College Prep A+ / Clubs & Activities A- / Sports A)
●CAASPP Proficiency Rate: English 78%, Math 61%
●Average SAT Score: 1330
●Average ACT Score: 30
●Number of AP Courses: 28
●AP Exam Pass Rate: 97%
●Average Graduation Rate: 74%
●Student Population: Approx. 2,573
●Student-Teacher Ratio: 25:1
Top 9|Palos Verdes Peninsula High School
Palos Verdes Peninsula High School - 27118 Silver Spur Rd, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274, USA
●Overall Grade: A+ (Academics A+ / Diversity A- / Teachers A+ / College Prep A+ / Clubs & Activities A- / Sports A+)
●CAASPP Proficiency Rate: English 82%, Math 70%
●Average SAT Score: 1340
●Average ACT Score: 30
●Number of AP Courses: 28
●AP Exam Pass Rate: 90%
●Average Graduation Rate: 46%
●Student Population: Approx. 2,426
●Student-Teacher Ratio: 25:1
Located in the affluent Palos Verdes Peninsula, it is about a 20-minute drive from LAX and the Westside of Los Angeles. White students are the majority at 46%, followed by 38% Chinese students.
Top 10|Los Altos High School
Los Altos High School - 201 Almond Ave, Los Altos, CA 94022, USA
●Overall Grade: A+ (Academics A+ / Diversity A- / Teachers A+ / College Prep A+ / Clubs & Activities A / Sports A)
●CAASPP Proficiency Rate: English 70%, Math 67%
●Average SAT Score: 1330
●Average ACT Score: 31
●Number of AP Courses: 23
●AP Exam Pass Rate: 42%
●Average Graduation Rate: 99%
●Student Population: Approx. 2,088
●Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1
Its engineering program is famous nationwide. Students participating in the project design and build various new types of racing cars, racing boats, and car models, and participate in various competitions, winning numerous honors and awards. White students are the majority, followed by Latino and Chinese students.