Often, the concept of selecting schools seems to pertain to only high school seniors, desperate for that one Top 20 University to welcome them with open arms. But have you considered how the high school you attend can have great benefits or perhaps detriments, depending on its offerings?
Top 10 High Schools in the Bay Area 2023
Rankings and information based on the Niche List of 2023 Best Public High Schools
If you are a student with the objective of attending one of the prestigious Ivy League schools or a top competitive university, it is highly encouraged that you prepare and develop the right skills and experiences early on in the game.
Hence, for all of you upcoming Bay Area high schoolers who have the capacity to be selective with which high school you attend, continue reading to learn which school may be the best fit for you. Or, just follow along to see how you might compare to other Bay Area high schoolers.
To note, many colleges have gone test-blind or optional. However, the information provided regarding standardized tests still can help you as a student gauge where you are at.
#1. Henry M. Gunn High School
Location: Palo Alto, CA || Palo Alto Unified School District
According to students, 88% of their student body take their schooling seriously for their future, and according to 231 Gunn users of Niche, the most popular major is computer science.
#2. Palo Alto High School
Location: Palo Alto, CA || Palo Alto Unified School District
2,085 students attending with a student-teacher ratio of 18 to 1 results in a mean SAT score of 1390 (962 responses), a mean ACT score of 31 (433 responses), and an AP enrollment of 42%. In fact, PAHS has a 95% AP Exam pass rate with 26 offered AP courses.
According to students, 81% of their student body take their schooling seriously for their future,
and according to 293 PAHS users of Niche, the most popular major is business.#3. Saratoga High School
Location: Saratoga, CA || Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District
1,159 students attending with a student-teacher ratio of 21 to 1 results in a mean SAT score of 1440 (480 responses), a mean ACT score of 33 (210 responses), and an AP enrollment of 56%. In fact, SHS has an 89% AP Exam pass rate with 22 offered AP courses.
According to students, 81% of their student body take their schooling seriously for their future, and according to 207 SHS users of Niche, the most popular major is computer science.
#4. Los Altos High School
Location: Los Altos, CA || Mountain View- Los Altos Union High School District
2,209 students attending with a student-teacher ratio of 19 to 1 results in a mean SAT score of 1360 (749 responses), a mean ACT score of 31 (293 responses), and an AP enrollment of 48%. In fact, LAHS has a 85% AP Exam pass rate with 23 offered AP courses.
According to students, 49% of their student
body take their schooling seriously for their future, and according to 256 LAHS
users of Niche, the most popular major is business.
#5. Lynbrook High School
Location: San Jose, CA || Fremont Union High School District
1,942 students attending with a student-teacher ratio of 24 to 1 results in a mean SAT score of 1450 (994 responses), a mean ACT score of 33 (396 responses), and an AP enrollment of 44%. In fact, LHS has a 94% AP Exam pass rate with 17 offered AP courses.
According to students, 82% of their student body take their schooling seriously for their future, and according to 415 LHS users of Niche, the most popular major is computer science.
#6. Campolindo High School
Location: Moraga, CA || Acalanes Union High School District
1,400 students attending with a student-teacher ratio of 20 to 1 results in a mean SAT score of 1330 (481 responses), a mean ACT score of 30 (276 responses), and an AP enrollment of 47%. In fact, CHS has a 87% AP Exam pass rate with 19 offered AP courses.
According to students, 57% of their student body take their schooling seriously for their future,
and according to 231 CHS users of Niche, the most popular major is business.#7. Lowell High School
Location: San Francisco, CA || San Francisco Unified School District
2,786 students attending with a student-teacher ratio of 25 to 1 results in a mean SAT score of 1350 (1,460 responses), a mean ACT score of 30 (384 responses), and an AP enrollment of 55%. In fact, LHS has a 94% AP Exam pass rate with 29 offered AP courses.
According to students, 81% of their student body take their schooling seriously for their future, and according to 435 LHS users of Niche, the most popular major is biology.
#8. Mountain View High School
Location: Mountain View, CA || Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District
2,257 students attending with a student-teacher ratio of 20 to 1 results in a mean SAT score of 1350 (716 responses), a mean ACT score of 30 (268 responses), and an AP enrollment of 51%. In fact, MVHS has a 81% AP Exam pass rate with 25 offered AP courses.
According to students, 59% of their student body take their schooling seriously for their future, and according to 240 MVHS users of Niche, the most popular major is business.
#9. Foothill High School
Location: Pleasanton, CA || Pleasanton Unified School District
2,237 students attending with a student-teacher ratio of 24 to 1 results in a mean SAT score of 1350 (880 responses), a mean ACT score of 30 (356 responses), and an AP enrollment of 42%. In fact, FHS has a 83% AP Exam pass rate with 27 offered AP courses.
According to students, 38% of their student body take their schooling seriously for their future, and according to 317 FHS users of Niche, the most popular major is business.
#10. Amador Valley High School
Location: Pleasanton, CA || Pleasanton Unified School District
2,744 students attending with a student-teacher ratio of 24 to 1 results in a mean SAT score of 1370 (1,202 responses), a mean ACT score of 31 (507 responses), and an AP enrollment of 42%. In fact, AVHS has a 93% AP Exam pass rate with 22 offered AP courses.
According to students, 64% of their student body take their schooling seriously for their future,
and according to 412 AVHS users of Niche, the most popular major is business.Imagine you're a seventh grader residing in Delaware, who unexpectedly came across this blog. Now, you have the opportunity to gauge your academic standing against students from the esteemed Bay Area. Remember, the competitive landscape of college admissions affects us all. In conclusion, while academics should not solely define your worth, it's undeniable that a quality education holds immense value and significance.
