Best High Schools
in San Francisco, California
We ranked the 35 high schools in San Francisco with real test data. The top 25 scored between 6.2 and 9.1 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and California education data
The short answer
The top-rated high schools in San Francisco for 2026 are Independence High (9.1/10), Gateway High (8.7/10), and Washington (george) High (8.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 35 rated high schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a high school in San Francisco?
Every high school in San Francisco 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.
Independence High
San Francisco, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Gateway High
San Francisco, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Washington (george) High
San Francisco, CA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
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.
Independence High
Gateway High
Washington (george) 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 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 35 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Independence High San Francisco Unified | 9.1 |
| 2 | Gateway High Charter Gateway High District | 8.7 |
| 3 | Washington (george) High San Francisco Unified | 8.7 |
| 4 | Lowell High San Francisco Unified | 8.7 |
| 5 | Asawa (ruth) Sf Sch of the Arts a Public School San Francisco Unified | 8.4 |
| 6 | Galileo High San Francisco Unified | 8.4 |
| 7 | San Francisco High School of the Arts | 8.4 |
| 8 | Lincoln (abraham) High San Francisco Unified | 8.2 |
| 9 | Balboa High San Francisco Unified | 8.2 |
| 10 | Burton (phillip and Sala) Academic High San Francisco Unified | 8.0 |
| 11 | The Bay School of San Francisco | 7.8 |
| 12 | Life Learning Academy Charter Charter Life Learning Academy Charter District | 7.6 |
| 13 | Wallenberg (raoul) Traditional High San Francisco Unified | 7.6 |
| 14 | S.f. County Civic Center Secondary San Francisco County Office of Education | 7.6 |
| 15 | Rise University Preparatory | 7.6 |
| 16 | Academy (the)- Sf @mcateer San Francisco Unified | 7.5 |
| 17 | San Francisco University High School | 7.4 |
| 18 | Jewish Community High School of the Bay | 7.2 |
| 19 | Kipp San Francisco College Preparatory Charter KIPP San Francisco College Preparatory District | 7.0 |
| 20 | Urban School of San Francisco | 6.8 |
| 21 | Jordan (june) School for Equity San Francisco Unified | 6.5 |
| 22 | S.f. County Opportunity (hilltop) San Francisco County Office of Education | 6.5 |
| 23 | Ica Cristo Rey | 6.5 |
| 24 | City Arts & Leadership Academy Charter City Arts & Leadership Academy District | 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, Independence High is the top-rated high school in San Francisco with a composite score of 9.1/10. 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 San Francisco, California?
San Francisco has 72 high schools, including 6 charter schools. Of these, 36 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 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 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.