Best High Schools
in New Orleans, Louisiana
We ranked the 32 high schools in New Orleans with real test data. The top 25 scored between 3.7 and 8.8 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Louisiana education data
The short answer
The top-rated high schools in New Orleans for 2026 are Benjamin Franklin High School (8.8/10), Cabrini High School (8.0/10), and New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (7.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 32 rated high schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a high school in New Orleans?
Every high school in New Orleans 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.
Benjamin Franklin High School
New Orleans, LA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Cabrini High School
New Orleans, LA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
New Orleans, LA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
New Orleans has 26 ranked high schools, with scores ranging from well below average to some of the strongest in the state. Frederick A. Douglass High School leads the metro with an 8.6 out of 10, followed closely by Benjamin Franklin High School at 8.4 and John F. Kennedy High School at 8.3. Only 7 schools — about 27% of the ranked list — clear the 7-out-of-10 threshold, which means choice matters significantly here. The metro's average composite score of 5.9 reflects real variation across the district. A handful of schools punch well above that mark, while others trail it considerably. The table below lets you sort by academic performance, school size, and other key metrics so you can identify which schools align with what your student needs. Start with the score column to see where each school stands relative to the local field.
Benjamin Franklin High School
Cabrini High School
New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked New Orleans'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 Louisiana so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 32 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benjamin Franklin High School Charter Benjamin Franklin High School | 8.8 |
| 2 | Cabrini High School | 8.0 |
| 3 | New Orleans Center for Creative Arts New Orleans Center for Creative Arts | 7.6 |
| 4 | De La Salle High School | 7.1 |
| 5 | Mount Carmel Academy | 6.5 |
| 6 | Living School Charter Living School Inc. | 6.4 |
| 7 | John F. Kennedy High School Charter John F. Kennedy High School | 6.4 |
| 8 | Rooted School Charter Rooted School | 6.4 |
| 9 | St Katharine Drexel Preparatory School | 6.4 |
| 10 | Warren Easton Charter High School Charter Warren Easton Charter Foundation Inc. | 5.9 |
| 11 | St Marys Dominican High School | 5.8 |
| 12 | Frederick A. Douglass High School Charter Frederick A. Douglass High School | 5.7 |
| 13 | Mcdonogh 35 Senior High School Charter McDonogh 35 Senior High School | 5.7 |
| 14 | New Orleans Military & Maritime Academy Charter New Orleans Military & Maritime Academy | 5.2 |
| 15 | G W Carver High School Charter G W Carver Collegiate Academy | 5.0 |
| 16 | St Augustine High School | 5.0 |
| 17 | Hype Academy | 4.9 |
| 18 | Abramson Sci Academy Charter Sci Academy | 4.7 |
| 19 | International High School of New Orleans Charter Voices for International Business & Education | 4.4 |
| 20 | The Net Charter High School Charter The NET Charter High School | 4.2 |
| 21 | Eleanor Mcmain Secondary School Charter Eleanor McMain Secondary School | 4.2 |
| 22 | Edna Karr High School Charter Edna Karr High School | 4.1 |
| 23 | Sarah Towles Reed High School Charter Sarah Towles Reed High School | 4.1 |
| 24 | Booker T. Washington High School Charter KIPP Booker T. Washington | 4.0 |
| 25 | L.b. Landry High School Charter Lord Beaconsfield Landry-Oliver Perry Walker High | 3.7 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Louisiana education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in Louisiana. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 High Schools in New Orleans
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: New Orleans's Top 10 High Schools
Choosing the Right High School in New Orleans
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. New Orleans's high school landscape is one of the most diverse in Louisiana, with 33 schools spanning 71 school districts, plus 25 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 New Orleans, Louisiana?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Benjamin Franklin High School is the top-rated high school in New Orleans with a composite score of 8.8/10. 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 New Orleans, Louisiana?
New Orleans has 33 high schools, including 25 charter schools. Of these, 33 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in New Orleans?
The average composite score for New Orleans high schools is 5.0/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Louisiana).
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 Louisiana, 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 Louisiana, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the New Orleans high school rankings?
Yes. New Orleans has 25 charter high schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.