Best High Schools
in Long Beach, California
We ranked all 24 high schools in Long Beach. The top 19 scored between 4.8 and 8.6 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and California education data
Long Beach's 17 ranked high schools span a meaningful range of quality and focus, from performing arts to STEM to traditional comprehensive programs. Renaissance High School for the Arts leads the field with an 8.6/10 composite score — nearly two full points above the citywide average of 6.6/10. That gap matters when you're comparing options for your student. Six schools, or 35% of the ranked list, clear the 7/10 threshold, clustering near the top of the table. Clear Passage Educational Center, Ernest S. McBride Sr. High, Jordan High, and Eunice Sato Academy of Math & Science all land between 7.5 and 7.7, making the tier just below Renaissance genuinely competitive. Use the table below to sort by the metrics that matter most to your family — whether that's academic performance, school size, or something else — and dig into the individual profiles before drawing conclusions.
Renaissance High School for the Arts
Clear Passage Educational Center
Ernest S. McBride Sr. High
Score Distribution
Where the top 19 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Long Beach'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 California so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 19 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renaissance High School for the Arts Long Beach Unified | 8.6 |
| 2 | Clear Passage Educational Center Charter Clear Passage Educational Center District | 7.7 |
| 3 | Ernest S. McBride Sr. High Long Beach Unified | 7.6 |
| 4 | Jordan High Long Beach Unified | 7.5 |
| 5 | Eunice Sato Academy of Math & Science Long Beach Unified | 7.5 |
| 6 | Millikan High Long Beach Unified | 7.2 |
| 7 | Rancho Dominguez Preparatory Los Angeles Unified | 6.7 |
| 8 | College Bridge Academy Charter College Bridge Academy District | 6.5 |
| 9 | Polytechnic High Long Beach Unified | 6.5 |
| 10 | ST ANTHONY HIGH SCHOOL | 6.5 |
| 11 | Reid High Long Beach Unified | 6.3 |
| 12 | Educational Partnership High Long Beach Unified | 6.2 |
| 13 | VALLEY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL | 6.2 |
| 14 | Cabrillo High Long Beach Unified | 6.1 |
| 15 | We the People High Charter We the People High District | 5.9 |
| 16 | Wilson High Long Beach Unified | 5.9 |
| 17 | Richard D. Browning High Long Beach Unified | 5.8 |
| 18 | Intellectual Virtues Academy Charter Intellectual Virtues Academy District | 5.7 |
| 19 | The Education Corps Charter The Education Corps District | 4.8 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and California education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in California. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 19 High Schools in Long Beach
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Long Beach's Top 10 High Schools
Choosing the Right High School in Long Beach
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Long Beach's high school landscape is one of the most diverse in California, with 24 schools spanning 9 school districts, plus 5 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 Long Beach, California?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Renaissance High School for the Arts is the top-rated high school in Long Beach with a composite score of 8.6/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
How many high schools are in Long Beach, California?
Long Beach has 24 high schools, including 5 charter schools. Of these, 19 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Long Beach?
The average composite score for Long Beach high schools is 6.6/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in California).
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 California, 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 California, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Long Beach high school rankings?
Yes. Long Beach has 5 charter high schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.