2014-04-22



The best public high school in the country is Dallas-area School for the Talented and Gifted, according to a new ranking from U.S. News and World Report.

According to U.S. News, TAG students often conduct research with local universities and are required to complete "a minimum of 11 AP courses" for graduation. TAG was one of two Dallas Independent School District high schools that made the list's top 20.

With just 14 teachers and 240 students — about 80 in each grade — TAG is a comparatively small high school. It is also a diverse student body, with minority students making up 58% of the school and 30% of the students coming from economically disadvantaged households.

To compile their ranking, U.S. News evaluated schools on average student performance relative to others in their state, disadvantaged student performance, and college-readiness performance. Read the full methodology here.

Here are the top 20 public high schools in the country below:

School for the Talented and Gifted — Dallas, Texas

BASIS Scottsdale — Scottsdale, Arizona

Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology — Lawrenceville, Georgia

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology — Alexandria, Virginia

BASIS Tuscon North — Tuscon, Arizona

Pine View School — Osprey, Florida

University High School — Tuscon, Arizona

School of Science and Engineering Magnet — Dallas, Texas

International Academy — Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Oxford Academy — Cypress, California

Biotechnology High School — Freehold, New Jersey

Stanton College Preparatory School — Jacksonville, Florida

International Community School — Kirkland, Washington

Maine School of Science & Mathematics — Limestone, Maine

Academy of Aerospace and Engineering — Hartford, Connecticut

Academic Magnet High School — North Charleston, South Carolina

International School — Bellevue, Washington

Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School — Montgomery, Alabama

Design & Architecture Senior High — Miami, Florida

High Technology High School — Lincroft, New Jersey

See the full list at U.S. News and World Report >>

SEE ALSO: The 10 Best Public High Schools In New York City

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