Best High Schools
in Columbus, Ohio
We ranked all 53 high schools in Columbus. The top 25 scored between 6.0 and 9.3 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Ohio education data
Columbus spans 47 ranked high schools, making it one of the more competitive metro markets for families weighing their options. Bexley High School leads the pack with a 9.3 out of 10, followed closely by Grandview Heights High School at 9.2. The gap between those two and the next tier is notable — only 8 schools, or 17% of the ranked pool, score 7 or above, and the metro's average composite sits at 5.9 out of 10. That spread matters: a school near the top is performing significantly above the norm for this area. The list includes a mix of traditional public schools and charter options like Horizon Science Academy Columbus and Road to Success Academy. Geography, school type, and individual scores all shift the picture depending on what a family prioritizes. Use the table below to sort by the metrics that matter most to you.
Bexley High School
Grandview Heights High School
ST CHARLES PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Columbus's High Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%) measures standardized test performance in math and reading. Student Growth (20%) tracks improvement over time. Equity (15%) evaluates how well a school serves all student groups. Environment (15%) considers class size, spending, and attendance. All scores are computed within Ohio so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bexley High School Bexley City | 9.3 |
| 2 | Grandview Heights High School Grandview Heights Schools | 9.2 |
| 3 | ST CHARLES PREPARATORY SCHOOL | 7.8 |
| 4 | Horizon Science Academy Columbus Charter Horizon Science Academy Columbus | 7.5 |
| 5 | CRISTO REY COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL | 7.5 |
| 6 | Road to Success Academy Charter Road to Success Academy | 7.4 |
| 7 | Graham School The Charter Graham School The | 7.2 |
| 8 | Capital High School Charter Capital High School | 7.2 |
| 9 | AKILI CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL | 7.2 |
| 10 | Fort Hayes Career Center Columbus City Schools District | 7.1 |
| 11 | Columbus Downtown High School Columbus City Schools District | 7.1 |
| 12 | BISHOP HARTLEY HIGH SCHOOL | 7.0 |
| 13 | Capital City Career Prep High School Charter Capital City Career Prep High School | 6.9 |
| 14 | Focus North High School Charter Focus North High School | 6.8 |
| 15 | Columbus Alternative High School Columbus City Schools District | 6.8 |
| 16 | ST FRANCIS DE SALES HIGH SCHOOL | 6.8 |
| 17 | Columbus Scioto 6-12 Columbus City Schools District | 6.5 |
| 18 | North Woods Career Prep High School Charter North Woods Career Prep High School | 6.4 |
| 19 | Central High School Charter Central High School | 6.4 |
| 20 | Franklinton High School Charter Franklinton High School | 6.4 |
| 21 | BISHOP WATTERSON HIGH SCHOOL | 6.3 |
| 22 | YB Columbus Community School Charter YB Columbus Community School | 6.1 |
| 23 | Summit Academy Transition High School-Columbus Charter Summit Academy Transition High School-Columbus | 6.1 |
| 24 | Metro Early College High School Metro Early College High School | 6.1 |
| 25 | Centennial High School Columbus City Schools District | 6.0 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Ohio education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in Ohio. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 High Schools in Columbus
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Columbus's Top 10 High Schools
Choosing the Right High School in Columbus
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Columbus's high school landscape is one of the most diverse in Ohio, with 53 schools spanning 84 school districts, plus 21 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best high school in Columbus, Ohio?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Bexley High School is the top-rated high school in Columbus with a composite score of 9.3/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
How many high schools are in Columbus, Ohio?
Columbus has 53 high schools, including 21 charter schools. Of these, 53 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Columbus?
The average composite score for Columbus high schools is 6.1/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Ohio).
How does MySchoolScout rate high schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and School Environment (15%). All scores are computed within Ohio, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Ohio, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Columbus high school rankings?
Yes. Columbus has 21 charter high schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.