Best High Schools
in Los Angeles, California
We ranked the 178 high schools in Los Angeles with real test data. The top 25 scored between 8.2 and 9.7 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and California education data
The short answer
The top-rated high schools in Los Angeles for 2026 are Downtown Business High (9.7/10), Orthopaedic Hospital (9.1/10), and Alliance Susan and Eric Smidt Technology High (9.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 178 rated high schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a high school in Los Angeles?
Every high school in Los Angeles is scored 1–10 on the same four measures. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then weigh the tradeoffs a single score can't capture.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Downtown Business High
Los Angeles, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Orthopaedic Hospital
Los Angeles, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Alliance Susan and Eric Smidt Technology High
Los Angeles, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Los Angeles spans 143 ranked high schools, giving families one of the largest public school pools in the country to choose from. The average composite score sits at 7.1 out of 10, and 57% of schools — 81 in total — clear that same threshold, signaling a broad tier of solid performers rather than a few outliers propping up the numbers. At the top, Boyle Heights Science Technology Engineering and Math Magnet leads all high schools with a 9.5/10, followed closely by Eagle Rock High, Abraham Lincoln Senior High, Middle College High, and Soc Just Leadership Academy at Torres High #5, each scoring 9.3. The spread across all 143 schools reflects genuine variation in academics, environment, and outcomes. Sort and filter the table below by the metrics that matter most to your family — whether that's test scores, graduation rates, or another factor — to find the best fit.
Downtown Business High
Orthopaedic Hospital
Alliance Susan and Eric Smidt Technology High
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Los Angeles's High Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 with weights that vary by school level: Student Growth tracks improvement over time and counts most in elementary and middle grades. Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement measures standardized test performance in math and reading against socioeconomic expectations. Environment considers class size, spending, and attendance. College Readiness joins the composite for high schools. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. All scores are computed within California so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 178 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Downtown Business High Los Angeles Unified | 9.7 |
| 2 | Orthopaedic Hospital Los Angeles Unified | 9.1 |
| 3 | Alliance Susan and Eric Smidt Technology High Charter Alliance Susan and Eric Smidt Technology High District | 9.0 |
| 4 | Middle College High Los Angeles Unified | 9.0 |
| 5 | Soc Just Leadership Acad at Esteban E. Torres High #5 Los Angeles Unified | 9.0 |
| 6 | Boyle Heights Sci Tech Engr and Math Magnet Los Angeles Unified | 9.0 |
| 7 | Girls Academic Leadership Acad Dr. Michelle King Sch Stem Los Angeles Unified | 9.0 |
| 8 | Eagle Rock High Los Angeles Unified | 8.9 |
| 9 | Alliance Leichtman-levine Fam Foundation Env Sci High Charter Alliance Leichtman-Levine FAM Foundation Env Sci High DIST | 8.8 |
| 10 | Valor Academy High Charter Valor Academy High District | 8.8 |
| 11 | Animo Inglewood Charter High Charter Animo Inglewood Charter High District | 8.8 |
| 12 | Math Science & Technology Magnet Academy at Roosevelt High Los Angeles Unified | 8.8 |
| 13 | John Marshall Senior High Los Angeles Unified | 8.7 |
| 14 | King/drew Medical Magnet High Los Angeles Unified | 8.7 |
| 15 | Animo Leadership High Charter Animo Leadership High District | 8.6 |
| 16 | Alliance Patti and Peter Neuwirth Leadership Academy Charter Alliance Patti And Peter Neuwirth Leadership Acad DIST | 8.6 |
| 17 | Woodrow Wilson Senior High Los Angeles Unified | 8.6 |
| 18 | Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High Los Angeles Unified | 8.6 |
| 19 | University Pathways Public Service Academy Los Angeles Unified | 8.6 |
| 20 | University Preparatory Value High Charter University Preparatory Value High District | 8.5 |
| 21 | Alliance Morgan Mckinzie High Charter Alliance Morgan McKinzie High District | 8.5 |
| 22 | Abraham Lincoln Senior High Los Angeles Unified | 8.5 |
| 23 | Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez High Los Angeles Unified | 8.4 |
| 24 | Animo Venice Charter High Charter Animo Venice Charter High District | 8.3 |
| 25 | Alliance Ted K. Tajima High Charter Alliance Ted K. Tajima High District | 8.2 |
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 25 High Schools in Los Angeles
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Los Angeles's Top 10 High Schools
Alliance Susan and Eric Smidt Technology High
Alliance Leichtman-levine Fam Foundation Env Sci High
Choosing the Right High School in Los Angeles
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Los Angeles's high school landscape is one of the most diverse in California, with 261 schools spanning 174 school districts, plus 58 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 Los Angeles, California?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Downtown Business High is the top-rated high school in Los Angeles with a composite score of 9.7/10. 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.
How many high schools are in Los Angeles, California?
Los Angeles has 261 high schools, including 58 charter schools. Of these, 178 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Los Angeles?
The average composite score for Los Angeles high schools is 6.8/10. 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 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 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 Los Angeles high school rankings?
Yes. Los Angeles has 58 charter high schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.