News Summary
In a recent evaluation by U.S. News & World Report, several high schools in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia have earned spots in the 2025-2026 Best High Schools rankings. The assessment highlighted academic excellence across over 25,000 public high schools, with local schools showcasing remarkable achievements. Key indicators such as college readiness and graduation rates were analyzed, resulting in impressive rankings, especially for Stanton College Preparatory School, the top-ranked institution in the area. This recognition emphasizes the quality of education in these regions and the commitment of educators to student success.
Jacksonville, FL – Several high schools in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia have received recognition in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best High Schools ranking, which evaluates educational excellence across the nation. This comprehensive ranking assessed over 25,000 public high schools, showcasing the academic achievements of institutions in both states.
Ninety of the ranked schools were placed among the top 100 in their respective states, highlighting the strong performance of local education systems. The ranking specifically analyzed nearly 18,000 schools based on six key indicators that reflect overall academic quality.
The key indicators included:
- College readiness (30% weight)
- State assessment proficiency (20% weight)
- State assessment performance (20% weight)
- Underserved student performance (10% weight)
- College curriculum breadth (10% weight)
- Graduation rate (10% weight)
While the rankings excluded private high schools due to the absence of publicly accessible data, charter and magnet schools were included as they receive public funding. In the greater Jacksonville area, Stanton College Preparatory School emerged as the highest-ranked institution, securing the No. 6 position in Florida and achieving a ranking of 65th nationally.
Alongside Stanton, several other high schools in Northeast Florida displayed commendable performance, contributing to their appearance in the top 100 list for Florida. The detailed scores and specific ranks for each school can help students and parents make informed decisions about academic pursuits.
Moving beyond Florida, high schools in Southeast Georgia also made notable appearances in the top 100 rankings for the state. This acknowledgment emphasizes the quality of education that students in this region are receiving and the efforts made by educators to support their academic success.
The nationwide rankings were topped by BASIS Tucson North in Arizona, which is recognized as the best high school in the country. The impressive list of the top five high schools in the nation includes:
- BASIS Tucson North, Arizona
- Signature School, Indiana
- Central Magnet School, Tennessee
- Davidson Academy, Nevada
- Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Virginia
This recognition comes as part of a broader celebration of academic excellence and the impactful role of school counseling in shaping students’ futures. By highlighting successful schools, the rankings provide valuable insights into the efforts of educators committed to fostering environments that encourage deep learning and high achievement.
In conclusion, the U.S. News & World Report’s assessment showcases the strong educational landscapes of Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, marking significant achievements for the schools within these regions. The official ranking full list can be reviewed for those interested in further details about individual schools and their standings.
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Additional Resources
- Action News Jax: Top High Schools Jacksonville Area 2025
- Wikipedia: High School
- Jacksonville.com: Five Fun Things to Do
- Google Search: School Counseling
- Action News Jax: Jean Ribault High School Recognition
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
