The top-rated high schools in Jacksonville for 2026 are Samuel W. Wolfson High School (8.9/10), Stanton College Preparatory (8.1/10), and Paxon School/advanced Studies (7.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 34 high schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Jacksonville's 33 ranked high schools span a wide performance range, with an average composite score of 4.7/10 — but a small group of schools pulls well above that mark. Samuel W. Wolfson High School leads the metro at 8.0/10, followed closely by Palm Avenue Exceptional Student Center and Stanton College Preparatory. Only 4 schools, or 12% of those ranked, clear the 7.0 threshold, making that upper tier meaningfully selective. The table below lets you sort by score, school type, and other key metrics to find the right fit. Whether you're prioritizing academic rigor, specialized programming, or proximity, the data tells the story clearly. Schools clustered near the metro average offer solid options worth a closer look, while the top performers set a high bar for what's achievable in the Jacksonville area.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Florida education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in Florida. Learn about our methodology.
Duval
978 students · 19.6:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 3% in Florida
Duval
1,283 students · 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 12% in Florida
Duval
1,285 students · 20.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 18% in Florida
Duval
837 students · 22.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 38% in Florida
Duval
1,331 students · 22.6:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 48% in Florida
Duval
1,053 students · 21.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 48% in Florida
Duval
978 students · 20.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–12th
Top 53% in Florida
Duval
667 students · grades 9th–12th
Top 53% in Florida · charter
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Samuel W. Wolfson High School is the top-rated high school in Jacksonville with a composite score of 8.9/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
Jacksonville has 47 high schools, including 8 charter schools. Of these, 39 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
Among 39 Jacksonville high schools with a composite score, the average is 5.3/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Florida).
Schools with enough data receive a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within Florida, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
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 Florida, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Jacksonville has 8 charter high schools in its directory. Charter schools that meet this ranking's data requirements are included alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.
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.
Guide
A comprehensive guide to school choice in Florida. Compare public, private, and charter schools using data on test scores, accountability, cost, and outcomes for the 2026-27 school year.