As a filmmaker and writer, Nora Ephron once remarked in a ’96 speech at Wellesley College, “Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.” If we consider this analogy, high school emerges as a significant rehearsal space for the young minds of tomorrow.
It serves as a platform where students can delve into their passions, engage in extracurricular pursuits, exercise autonomy in selecting their courses, and gear up for higher education or the professional realm. Public education plays a pivotal role in this narrative, with millions of students across the nation, approximately [ppp1] enrolled in public pre-K-12 institutions in fall 2021, as per the National Center for Education Statistics. Among them, a notable fraction find themselves navigating the corridors of high schools, scattered throughout the educational landscape.
For numerous parents fraught with concern, securing admission for their children in the finest public high schools becomes a paramount objective. Some families even consider relocating to access superior school districts. Amidst the multitude of educational institutions, a select few shine brightly due to their academic distinction, remarkable track records, and the promising trajectories of their students.
A compilation of the top 30 public high schools in Florida has been meticulously curated based on the 2023 rankings from [ppp2]. Niche’s evaluation methodology incorporates seven weighted criteria to assess schools. While academic performance holds substantial weight, additional considerations encompass cultural diversity, athletic programs, extracurricular offerings, resources, and feedback from stakeholders such as parents, educators, and students. Where available, school districts are mentioned; otherwise, the city serves as a reference point.
Top 30 Public High Schools in Florida:
#30. Design & Architecture Senior High School
- Location: Miami-Dade County Public Schools, FL
- Enrollment: 487 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 17:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#29. International Studies Preparatory Academy
- Location: Miami-Dade County Public Schools, FL
- Enrollment: 381 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 18:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#28. School for Advanced Studies
- Location: Miami-Dade County Public Schools, FL
- Enrollment: 119 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 30:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#27. Florida Southwestern Collegiate High School
- Location: Charlotte County Public Schools, FL
- Enrollment: 373 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 34:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#26. State College of Florida Collegiate School – Bradenton
- Location: Manatee County School District, FL
- Enrollment: 504 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 25:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#25. Mast Academy
- Location: Miami-Dade County Public Schools, FL
- Enrollment: 1,549 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 21:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#24. Pompano Beach High School
- Location: Broward County Public Schools, FL
- Enrollment: 1,219 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 23:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#23. Archimedean Upper Conservatory (AUC)
- Location: Miami-Dade County Public Schools, FL
- Enrollment: 320 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 13:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#22. Edgewood Junior/Senior High School
- Location: Brevard Public Schools, FL
- Enrollment: 922 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 18:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#21. Terra Environmental Research Institute
- Location: Miami-Dade County Public Schools, FL
- Enrollment: 1,668 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 25:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#20. Orlando Science Middle/High Charter School
- Location: Orange County Public Schools, FL
- Enrollment: 1,269 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 19:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#19. MAST@FIU – Biscayne Bay Campus
- Location: Miami-Dade County Public Schools, FL
- Enrollment: 454 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 23:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#18. Coral Reef Senior High School
- Location: Miami-Dade County Public Schools, FL
- Enrollment: 3,310 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 26:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#17. Florida State University School
- Location: Tallahassee, FL
- Enrollment: 1,825 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 16:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#16. iPrep Academy
- Location: Miami-Dade County Public Schools, FL
- Enrollment: 873 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 18:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#15. Cypress Bay High School
- Location: Broward County Public Schools, FL
- Enrollment: 4,838 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 24:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#14. West Shore Junior/Senior High School
- Location: Brevard Public Schools, FL
- Enrollment: 946 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 19:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#13. School for Advanced Studies – South
- Location: Miami-Dade County Public Schools, FL
- Enrollment: 266 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 44:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#12. School for Advanced Studies – North
- Location: Miami-Dade County Public Schools, FL
- Enrollment: 119 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 40:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#11. St. Petersburg Collegiate High School
- Location: Pinellas County Schools, FL
- Enrollment: 240 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 48:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#10. The College Academy at Broward College
- Location: Broward County Public Schools, FL
- Enrollment: 466 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 27:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
Notable Mentions:
#9. Suncoast Community High School
- Location: Palm Beach County School District, FL
- Enrollment: 1,589 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 19:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#8. School for Advanced Studies – Wolfson
- Location: Miami-Dade County Public Schools, FL
- Enrollment: 123 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 41:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#7. Stanton College Preparatory
- Location: Duval County Public Schools, FL
- Enrollment: 1,420 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 18:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#6. NeoCity Academy
- Location: Osceola County School District, FL
- Enrollment: 460 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 24:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#5. School for Advanced Studies – Homestead
- Location: Miami-Dade County Public Schools, FL
- Enrollment: 133 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 33:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#4. Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr. School of the Arts
- Location: Palm Beach County School District, FL
- Enrollment: 1,380 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 17:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#3. A.D. Henderson University School & FAU High School
- Location: Boca Raton, FL
- Enrollment: 1,294 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 30:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#2. Pine View School
- Location: Sarasota County Schools, FL
- Enrollment: 1,745 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 14:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
#1. Rising Leaders Academy
- Location: Bay District Schools, FL
- Enrollment: 335 students (Student to Teacher Ratio: 10:1)
- Niche Grade: A+
This informative piece, enriched by data analysis and reporting by Emma Rubin, forms part of a series that leverages data automation techniques across all 50 states.