Across the country, there are thousands of public and private schools. While it’s not surprising that many parents have strong opinions about the type of education they prefer, it’s also clear that some schools stand out among the rest. Choosing the right school for your child, whether they’re in elementary, middle, or high school, isn’t an easy decision, but looking at some of the top schools in the country can give you a place to start. That’s why we’ve created a list of the best schools in the United States.
From boarding schools to K-12 schools, there’s no limit to the type of schools and educational methods for you to choose from. No matter what your child’s needs are, there’s a school out there that’s the right fit for your family. When looking at the list of best schools in the United States, keep in mind that what’s best for one child isn’t necessarily best for another. As a parent, you know your child better than anyone and you’re best equipped to make decisions about your child’s education.
How We Chose the Best Schools in the United States
There are nearly 100,000 public schools in the United States that include numerous educational methods from Montessori to STEM education. When you’re looking for a new school for your child, it can be challenging to know which school to choose.
While there’s a lot to consider about your child’s individual needs, there are also many ways to determine which schools provide the highest quality education. To determine the best schools in the United States, the determining factors include:
- Academics and test scores
- Teacher ratings
- Clubs and activities
- Athletic teams
- Parent and student reviews
Keep in mind, no school or educational method is one-size-fits-all. Also, it's essential for you to see the whole picture before deciding what school is the right choice for your child. Let’s take a closer look at the best elementary, middle, and high schools in the United States.
Best Elementary Schools in the United States
Elementary school is your child’s first exposure to the world of education. Sending your little one off to kindergarten for the first time is probably one of the most difficult moments for a parent, but it can also be a positive time when you see how much your child has grown.
Whether your child is entering elementary school for the first time or you’re looking for a new school for your elementary-age child, there are so many quality schools for you to choose from. Out of all the elementary schools, here are a couple of the best elementary schools in the United States:
Trinity School
139 W 91st St, New York, NY 10024
(212) 873-1650
The Trinity School is a private school in New York City. It’s a highly-rated Christian preparatory school with 1,000 students in grades K-12. Their elementary program ranked highly due to its academics, diversity, teachers, and extracurricular activities.
BASIS Mesa
5010 S Eastmark Pkwy, Mesa, AZ 85212
(602) 239-4807
BASIS Mesa is a public charter school in Mesa, Arizona. The academic program is a STEM-infused, liberal arts program and they serve about 808 students in grades K-12. The elementary school ranked highly due to its test scores, equity, diversity, and administration.
For the full list, check out the 10 Best Elementary Schools in the United States.
Best Middle Schools in the United States
Middle school is an interesting and challenging time in your child’s life, and choosing the right middle school is essential. Although the stakes may not seem as high as they are in high school, the middle school years are an important stepping stone toward preparing for high school and college.
Whether you’re looking for a public or private school, there are plenty of highly-rated middle school programs all across the United States. Here are a couple of the top-ranking middle schools in the country:
The Davidson Academy
1164 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89503
(775) 682-5800
The Davidson Academy is a public school in Reno, Nevada with 165 students. Their academic program is specifically designed for gifted students and their program is for students in grades 5-12. Their middle school program is rated highly due to its academics, teachers, diversity, and administration.
The Nueva School
6565 CA-35, Hillsborough, CA 94010
(650) 235-7100
The Nueva School is a private, highly-rated school in Hillsborough, California. They have a student population of 853 students in grades Pre-K-12. Their middle school program has ranked highly due to its test scores, teachers, diversity, and extracurriculars.
For the full list, check out the 10 Best Middle Schools in the United States.
Best High Schools in the United States
The high school years can be some of the most beneficial and challenging in your child’s education. As they prepare for college, a career, and beyond, it’s essential for your child to have a strong foundation at an excellent school.
No matter where you live, finding the right high school for your child is possible when you consider what their needs are. While some of the best schools may not be the right fit for every child, they’re a good place to start as far as finding a high-quality school. Here are a couple of the top high schools in the country:
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
1219 Broad St, Durham, NC 27705
(919) 416-2600
The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics is a public high school in Durham, North Carolina. This residential high school has been rated as the top public high school in the country due to its academics, diverse community, college prep, and staff.
Phillips Academy Andover
7 Chapel Ave, Andover, MA 01810
(978) 749-4000
Phillips Academy Andover is a private boarding school with students in grades 9-12. This highly-rated school ranked due to its academic program, teachers, college prep, and diversity. It has been rated by Niche.com as the top private high school in the country.
For the full list, check out the 10 Best High Schools in the United States.
The Top Schools in All 50 States
Each state has its own unique culture and regulations when it comes to education. Additionally, while certain educational methods may be popular in different states, it’s still the role of each parent to decide what works best for their child.
Whether you’re moving to a new state or simply looking for a new school in your area, it can be helpful to know the top schools in your area and what they’re doing well. Here’s a look at some of the top schools in all 50 states:
- The Top-Rated Schools in Alabama
- The Top-Rated Schools in Alaska
- The Top-Rated Schools in Arizona
- The Top-Rated Schools in Arkansas
- The Top-Rated Schools in California
- The Top-Rated Schools in Colorado
- The Top-Rated Schools in Connecticut
- The Top-Rated Schools in Delaware
- The Top-Rated Schools in Florida
- The Top-Rated Schools in Georgia
- The Top-Rated Schools in Hawaii
- The Top-Rated Schools in Idaho
- The Top-Rated Schools in Illinois
- The Top-Rated Schools in Indiana
- The Top-Rated Schools in Iowa
- The Top-Rated Schools in Kansas
- The Top-Rated Schools in Kentucky
- The Top-Rated Schools in Louisiana
- The Top-Rated Schools in Maine
- The Top-Rated Schools in Maryland
- The Top-Rated Schools in Massachusetts
- The Top-Rated Schools in Michigan
- The Top-Rated Schools in Minnesota
- The Top-Rated Schools in Mississippi
- The Top-Rated Schools in Missouri
- The Top-Rated Schools in Montana
- The Top-Rated Schools in Nebraska
- The Top-Rated Schools in Nevada
- The Top-Rated Schools in New Hampshire
- The Top-Rated Schools in New Jersey
- The Top-Rated Schools in New Mexico
- The Top-Rated Schools in New York
- The Top-Rated Schools in North Carolina
- The Top-Rated Schools in North Dakota
- The Top-Rated Schools in Ohio
- The Top-Rated Schools in Oklahoma
- The Top-Rated Schools in Oregon
- The Top-Rated Schools in Pennsylvania
- The Top-Rated Schools in Rhode Island
- The Top-Rated Schools in South Carolina
- The Top-Rated Schools in South Dakota
- The Top-Rated Schools in Tennessee
- The Top-Rated Schools in Texas
- The Top-Rated Schools in Utah
- The Top-Rated Schools in Vermont
- The Top-Rated Schools in Virginia
- The Top-Rated Schools in Washington
- The Top-Rated Schools in West Virginia
- The Top-Rated Schools in Wisconsin
- The Top-Rated Schools in Wyoming
The Top Schools in Each Major City
When you live in a major city, it’s no surprise that there are a number of excellent schools to choose from. However, it can still seem overwhelming to find the right school for your child. From public schools and private schools to Montessori schools, it’s necessary to determine what your child’s needs are when making decisions about their education.
If you’re in a major city and aren’t sure which school to choose for your child, check out some of the top-rated schools in many of the major cities below:
- The Top-Rated Schools in Austin
- The Top-Rated Schools in Boston
- The Top-Rated Schools in Charlotte
- The Top-Rated Schools in Chicago
- The Top-Rated Schools in Columbus
- The Top-Rated Schools in Dallas
- The Top-Rated Schools in Denver
- The Top-Rated Schools in El Paso
- The Top-Rated Schools in Fort Worth
- The Top-Rated Schools in Houston
- The Top-Rated Schools in Indianapolis
- The Top-Rated Schools in Jacksonville
- The Top-Rated Schools in Los Angeles
- The Top-Rated Schools in Nashville
- The Top-Rated Schools in New York City
- The Top-Rated Schools in Oklahoma City
- The Top-Rated Schools in Philadelphia
- The Top-Rated Schools in Phoenix
- The Top-Rated Schools in Portland
- The Top-Rated Schools in San Antonio
- The Top-Rated Schools in San Diego
- The Top-Rated Schools in San Francisco
- The Top-Rated Schools in San Jose
- The Top-Rated Schools in Seattle
Finding the Right Elementary, Middle, or High School for Your Child
Choosing a school for your child isn’t a decision to take lightly–but it also doesn’t have to overwhelm you. When it comes to deciding on the right school for your child, knowledge is power. The more you know about the different educational methods, types of schools, and your child’s learning abilities, the more equipped you’ll be to make the best decision.
When you’re deciding on the right school, consider some of the schools on this list of the best schools in the United States. No matter what you choose, what matters is that your decision is what’s best for your family, even if it’s not the most popular choice.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Studio Romantic/Shutterstock.com.