Top Public High Schools in Indiana & U.S. 2025 Rankings – U.S. News Report
The U.S. News & World Report has unveiled its much-awaited 2025-26 rankings
of the nation’s top public high schools. If you’re curious about which schools
in Indiana and across the U.S. are excelling academically, here’s a quick
overview:
- Rankings
are based on six key indicators including college readiness, state
assessment performance, and graduation rates.
- Indiana
schools such as Signature School in Evansville and The Indiana Academy in
Muncie made the national Top 10 list.
- Many
top-ranked schools are located in wealthier districts, raising concerns
about equity in education.
- Traditional
public, charter, and magnet schools were included, while private schools
were excluded due to limited public data.
These rankings provide a clear snapshot of the schools
excelling in preparing students for college and beyond.
Understanding the U.S. News High School Ranking
Criteria
U.S. News & World Report evaluates nearly 24,000
public high schools, ranking around 18,000 based on six weighted indicators.
Here’s how the metrics break down:
1.
College Readiness (30%) – Assesses how
many 12th-grade students took at least one Advanced Placement (AP) or
International Baccalaureate (IB) exam and achieved a qualifying score, with
higher emphasis on exam success rather than just participation.
2.
College Curriculum Breadth (10%) –
Assesses students taking multiple AP or IB exams to reflect exposure to a
rigorous curriculum.
3.
State Assessment Proficiency (20%) –
Examines reading, math, and science standardized test scores to determine
proficiency.
4.
State Assessment Performance (20%) –
Compares actual test scores with expected results based on school demographics.
5.
Underserved Student Performance (10%) –
Evaluates how Black, Hispanic, and low-income students perform compared to
peers outside these groups.
6.
Graduation Rate (10%) –
Measures the percentage of students who entered 9th grade in 2019-20 and
graduated in 2023.
This methodology highlights both academic achievement
and equity considerations, though critics argue that standardized testing can
favor schools in historically wealthier areas (source).
Top Indiana Public High Schools in 2025
Indiana continues to showcase strong public education,
with several schools achieving national recognition:
1.
Signature School, Evansville –
Known for academic excellence and rigorous AP/IB programs.
2.
The Indiana Academy, Muncie –
Offers a boarding option with some students paying up to $2,700 annually.
3.
Zionsville Community High School,
Zionsville
4.
West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School,
West Lafayette
5.
Herron High School, Indianapolis
6.
Carmel High School, Carmel
7.
Speedway High School, Speedway
8.
Westfield High School, Westfield
9.
Munster High School, Munster
10.
Fishers High School, Fishers
Five of these schools are located in areas where the
median household income exceeds $100,000, well above the state average of
$66,785, highlighting disparities in resources.
Best High Schools in Indianapolis
The Indianapolis area also has several top-ranking
schools worth noting:
- Herron
High School
- Franklin
Central High School
- North
Central High School
- Herron-Riverside
High School
- Perry
Meridian High School
- KIPP
Indy Legacy High
- Pike
High School
- Lawrence
North High School
- Ben
Davis University High School
- Southport
High School
These schools are known for strong academic programs,
extracurricular opportunities, and college preparation initiatives. For more
details on Indiana schools, you can visit our Indiana
Education Guide.
Top 10 High Schools in the U.S. for 2025
Indiana’s Signature School ranked in the nation’s Top
10, alongside other leading schools across the U.S.
1.
BASIS Tucson North (Tucson, AZ)
2.
Signature School (Evansville, IN)
3.
Central Magnet School (Murfreesboro, TN)
4.
Davidson Academy (Reno, NV)
5.
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science
and Technology (Alexandria, VA)
6.
Albuquerque Institute of Math and Science
(Albuquerque, NM)
7.
Haas Hall Bentonville (Bentonville, AR)
8.
Julia R. Masterman Secondary School
(Philadelphia, PA)
9.
The School for the Talented and Gifted
(TAG), Dallas, Texas
10.
Aiken Scholars Academy (Aiken, SC)
These schools consistently rank high due to strong
AP/IB performance, high graduation rates, and robust support for underserved
students.
Conclusion
The 2025-26 U.S. News & World Report rankings
provide valuable insight into which public high schools are excelling in
academics, college preparation, and student equity. Indiana continues to shine
with schools like Signature School and The Indiana Academy earning top spots,
while the Indianapolis area maintains a strong presence in state rankings.
While standardized testing remains a key factor, the rankings are a helpful
guide for parents and students seeking high-quality education options.
