Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. News & World Report’s new annual rankings of the best public high schools in the country recognize public charter schools are among the top-performing high schools for students. Within the top ten high schools, three are charter schools–Basis Scottsdale in Scottsdale, AZ (#3); Haas Hall Academy in Fayetteville, AR (#7); and Signature School in Evansville, IN (#10).
Although charter high schools are just 10 percent of the country’s 26,000 public high schools, they comprise 23 percent of the top 100 public high schools. Within the top 5 percent of ranked schools, more than 18 percent are charter schools.
U.S. News’s Best High Schools rankings take into consideration data from more than 23,000 public schools across 50 states and the District of Columbia. This year, schools were ranked on new criteria such as college readiness, math and reading proficiency and performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth and graduation rates.
National Alliance President and CEO Nina Rees has released the following statement:
"With National Charter Schools Week just around the corner, this new data further validates the exceptional results public charter schools are delivering to public school students and families. Not only are charter schools excelling academically, but public opinion polling shows Americans of all demographics support them. According to the 2018 Schooling in American survey by EdChoice, six out of 10 Americans (61 percent) say they support public charter schools.
When high-quality public schools meet high public demand, we can close the achievement gap for all students. Congratulations to all of the charter schools recognized on the 2019 U.S. News Best High Schools rankings list.”