Best High Schools
in San Francisco, California
We ranked all 72 high schools in San Francisco. The top 25 scored between 6.2 and 9.3 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and California education data
San Francisco's 24 ranked high schools span a wide range of academic profiles, with an average composite score of 7.1/10 across the city. Leading the pack is Asawa Ruth SF School of the Arts, a public school earning a 9.3/10 — the highest mark in the metro — followed closely by George Washington High at 9.2/10 and Balboa High at 8.9/10. More than half of the ranked schools clear the 7/10 threshold, meaning families have a solid pool of strong options to consider. The table below lets you sort by score, school type, and other factors to find the right fit. Whether you prioritize arts, academics, or something else, the data here reflects real performance across San Francisco's public high school landscape — giving you a grounded starting point for the search.
Asawa (Ruth) SF Sch of the Arts A Public School
Washington (George) High
Balboa High
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked San Francisco'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 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asawa (Ruth) SF Sch of the Arts A Public School San Francisco Unified | 9.3 |
| 2 | Washington (George) High San Francisco Unified | 9.2 |
| 3 | Balboa High San Francisco Unified | 8.9 |
| 4 | Burton (Phillip and Sala) Academic High San Francisco Unified | 8.7 |
| 5 | Gateway High Charter Gateway High District | 8.5 |
| 6 | Galileo High San Francisco Unified | 8.5 |
| 7 | SAN FRANCISCO HIGH SCHOOL OF THE ARTS | 8.4 |
| 8 | Lowell High San Francisco Unified | 8.0 |
| 9 | Lincoln (Abraham) High San Francisco Unified | 7.9 |
| 10 | Independence High San Francisco Unified | 7.8 |
| 11 | THE BAY SCHOOL OF SAN FRANCISCO | 7.8 |
| 12 | RISE UNIVERSITY PREPARATORY | 7.6 |
| 13 | S.F. County Opportunity (Hilltop) San Francisco County Office of Education | 7.5 |
| 14 | S.F. County Civic Center Secondary San Francisco County Office of Education | 7.5 |
| 15 | SAN FRANCISCO UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL | 7.4 |
| 16 | Academy (The)- SF @McAteer San Francisco Unified | 7.3 |
| 17 | JEWISH COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL OF THE BAY | 7.2 |
| 18 | KIPP San Francisco College Preparatory Charter KIPP San Francisco College Preparatory District | 7.1 |
| 19 | City Arts & Leadership Academy Charter City Arts & Leadership Academy District | 6.9 |
| 20 | URBAN SCHOOL OF SAN FRANCISCO | 6.8 |
| 21 | O'Connell (John) High San Francisco Unified | 6.6 |
| 22 | Wallenberg (Raoul) Traditional High San Francisco Unified | 6.6 |
| 23 | ICA CRISTO REY | 6.5 |
| 24 | Jordan (June) School for Equity San Francisco Unified | 6.3 |
| 25 | DREW SCHOOL | 6.2 |
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 San Francisco
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: San Francisco's Top 10 High Schools
Choosing the Right High School in San Francisco
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. San Francisco's high school landscape is one of the most diverse in California, with 72 schools spanning 16 school districts, plus 6 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 San Francisco, California?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Asawa (Ruth) SF Sch of the Arts A Public School is the top-rated high school in San Francisco 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 San Francisco, California?
San Francisco has 72 high schools, including 6 charter schools. Of these, 35 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in San Francisco?
The average composite score for San Francisco high schools is 7.0/10. 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 San Francisco high school rankings?
Yes. San Francisco has 6 charter high schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.