Top 25 Secondary Schools In Texas (2026)

Texas is home to some of the highest-performing secondary schools in the United States, with ten percent of the nation’s top 100 public high schools located in the state. The rankings from U.S. News & World Report and Niche reveal a landscape dominated by selective magnet programs with specialized curricula and rigorous admissions requirements, though several elite zoned schools and charter campuses also rank among the best.

These institutions consistently demonstrate exceptional outcomes in college readiness, graduation rates, and performance on state assessments, preparing students for success at the nation’s most prestigious universities. The following list includes the 25 highest-ranked secondary schools in Texas, primarily high schools, based on the latest available ranking data.

Top 25 Secondary Schools In Texas

1. School for the Talented and Gifted (TAG) – Dallas ISD

The School for the Talented and Gifted is the highest-ranked public high school in Texas and ranks No. 9 nationally according to the U.S. News & World Report rankings. Located at the Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center in Dallas, this magnet college preparatory school serves 546 students in grades 9-12 with a focus on gifted education. The school boasts a college readiness rating of 99.3 and has sent graduates to Harvard, Stanford, Yale, and Columbia. Students achieve approximately 95% proficiency in math and reading, with a near 95% graduation rate and access to 26 AP courses. The school admits approximately 135 freshmen annually by application only.

2. Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School – Dallas ISD

Ranked No. 2 in Texas and 15th nationally by U.S. News & World Report, this Dallas ISD magnet school serves grades 6-12 with a primary focus on STEM curriculum. The school is part of the Young Women’s Preparatory Network nonprofit and emphasizes college readiness, leadership development, and wellness life skills. Students demonstrate exceptional performance on state assessments and college-level exams, contributing to the school’s elite national ranking.

3. School of Science and Engineering (SEM) – Dallas ISD

Located at the Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center alongside TAG, the School of Science and Engineering ranks No. 3 in Texas and 23rd nationally. The college preparatory program serves grades 9-12 with an accelerated STEM focus, featuring specialized STEM tracks in Aerospace, Biomedical, and Nuclear fields, along with a signature “SuperLab” research facility. SEM was named 2025 UIL Academic State Champions and achieves approximately 99% math proficiency and 100% reading proficiency.

4. Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA) – Austin ISD

LASA is the top-ranked high school in Central Texas, placing No. 4 in the state and 36th nationally. This Austin ISD magnet school serves 1,518 students in grades 9-12 and offers 30 AP and 121 honors classes designed to exceed state and district requirements. The school’s most recent class produced 45 National Merit Semifinalists and earned over $32 million in scholarships . Students achieve approximately 94% math proficiency and 99% reading proficiency.

5. Carnegie Vanguard High School – Houston ISD

Ranking No. 5 in Texas and 42nd nationally, Carnegie Vanguard is Houston ISD’s only gifted-and-talented-only campus. The magnet school serves students in grades 9-12 and requires students to take at least 10 AP courses and complete 100 hours of community service. Students consistently exceed state and national averages on SAT and ACT exams and demonstrate approximately 95% math proficiency and 99% reading proficiency.

6. Grand Prairie Collegiate Institute – Grand Prairie ISD

This charter school ranks No. 6 in Texas and 54th nationally . The school serves grades 6-12 and has a 92% minority student population, with all students taking AP classes . It ranks 13th best among charter high schools nationwide and demonstrates a 100% or near 100% graduation rate with strong proficiency in math, reading, and science.

7. BASIS San Antonio – Shavano Campus – San Antonio

Ranking No. 7 in Texas and 58th nationally, this charter school serves grades 6-12 and is the highest-ranked high school in the San Antonio area. The school ranks 14th best among charter schools and 18th best among STEM high schools nationwide . All students take AP classes, and 88% of the student body are minorities.

8. DeBakey High School for Health Professions – Houston ISD

Ranking No. 8 in Texas and 75th nationally, this magnet school in the Texas Medical Center serves grades 9-12 with a specialized focus on health professions and medical careers . Graduates are eligible for the Houston Premedical Academy at the University of Houston, with selected students receiving provisional acceptance to Baylor College of Medicine . The school ranks second best in the Houston area.

9. Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet – Dallas ISD

Ranking No. 9 in Texas and 84th nationally, this Dallas ISD magnet school serves grades 9-12 with a specialized focus on law and legal studies. The overwhelming majority of students are minorities (94%) and economically disadvantaged (83%), yet the school achieves top-tier academic outcomes.

10. Talkington School for Young Women Leaders – Lubbock ISD

Ranking No. 10 in Texas and 95th nationally, this magnet school serves grades 6-12 with a focus on empowering young women through rigorous college preparatory experiences. The school provides a college-preparatory environment focused on developing young women leaders and has a 100% graduation rate with 100% acceptance to four-year universities.

11. Westlake High School – Eanes ISD

Westlake High School is an elite zoned school located west of Austin with 82% math and 89% reading proficiency and a 98% graduation rate. The school produced 33 National Merit Finalists in a recent year, reflecting its strong academic culture and college preparation.

12. Carroll Senior High School – Carroll ISD

Carroll Senior High School is an elite zoned school in one of the Dallas-Fort Worth area’s priciest housing markets, with approximately 98-99% math proficiency and 99% graduation. The school demonstrates that zoned schools can achieve outcomes rivaling magnet programs when located in resource-rich communities.

13. Seven Lakes High School – Katy ISD

Seven Lakes High School is one of the largest schools on the list, serving approximately 3,773 students, and demonstrates exceptional academic performance with 84% math and 87% reading proficiency. In a rcent year, students sat approximately 5,410 AP exams with approximately 94% scoring 3 or higher. It is an elite zoned school in the highly regarded Katy ISD.

14. Westwood High School – Round Rock ISD

Westwood High School is an IB World School offering AP, IB, and dual-enrollment pathways, providing a wider menu than the AP-only model elsewhere. The school ranks #7 on Niche’s 2026 Best Public High Schools in Texas list.

15. Vandegrift High School – Leander ISD

Vandegrift High School is an IB World School offering AP, IB, and dual-enrollment pathways, providing students with diverse options for advanced coursework . The school has earned recognition for its strong academic programs and college preparation.

16. South Texas ISD Science Academy – Brownsville

This school ranks among the top public high schools in Texas and serves the Rio Grande Valley region . It is part of the South Texas Independent School District and offers a rigorous college-preparatory program for gifted students.

17. Coppell High School – Coppell ISD

Coppell High School is a top-ranked zoned school in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, earning recognition from Niche for its academic rigor and college readiness programs . The school serves a strong academic community with excellent student outcomes.

18. Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts – Houston ISD

Kinder HSPVA is Houston ISD’s renowned arts magnet school, ranking among the top public high schools in Texas. The school provides exceptional training in performing and visual arts while maintaining strong academic outcomes that prepare students for success in college and professional careers.

19. Clements High School – Fort Bend ISD

Clements High School ranks 17th on Niche’s latest Best Public High Schools in Texas list and is one of the strongest public schools in the Houston area. Located in Sugar Land, the school has a strong reputation for STEM preparation and college readiness.

20. Health Careers High School – Northside ISD

Located in San Antonio, Health Careers High School ranks among the top public high schools in Texas. The school provides specialized education in health professions, preparing students for careers in the medical field while maintaining strong academic outcomes.

21. IDEA McAllen College Preparatory – McAllen

This Rio Grande Valley charter school ranks among the top public high schools in Texas. IDEA McAllen is part of the IDEA Public Schools network, which is known for its college-preparatory focus and strong academic outcomes across its campuses.

22. Young Women’s Leadership Academy – San Antonio ISD

This San Antonio ISD magnet school ranks in the top 20 public high schools in Texas and demonstrates strong college readiness outcomes. The school focuses on preparing young women for leadership roles in their communities and beyond through a rigorous academic curriculum.

23. Hector J. Garcia Early College High School – Laredo ISD

Ranking among the top public high schools in Texas, this Laredo ISD campus provides early college opportunities. The school enables students to earn college credit while completing their high school diploma, giving them a significant head start on higher education.

24. Trinidad Garza Early College High School – Dallas ISD

Ranked among the top public high schools in Texas, Trini Garza Early College High School at Mountain View College provides students with extensive early college opportunities. This Dallas ISD campus enables students to earn significant college credit while completing their high school diploma.

25. Spring Branch Academic Institute – Spring Branch ISD

Spring Branch Academic Institute is a top-ranked charter school in the Houston area with exceptional math and reading proficiency rates. The school serves grades K-12 and demonstrates strong academic outcomes that place it among the state’s top public high schools .

Comparison Table

Success Tips for Evaluating Secondary Schools

Start by identifying your student’s interests and career goals, as Texas’s top schools offer specialized programs ranging from STEM and law to health professions and fine arts. For students with exceptional academic abilities, the magnet programs at the Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center in Dallas—TAG, SEM, and others—represent some of the strongest options in the nation.

Consider the selectivity of magnet schools, which require applications and often have limited admissions slots.

For families interested in zoned schools, districts like Katy ISD, Eanes ISD, and Carroll ISD offer high-performing neighborhood options.

Evaluate each school’s college readiness metrics, AP course offerings, and graduation rates, as these are key indicators of how well a school prepares students for higher education.

Finally, consider the school’s location and district context; Dallas ISD, Houston ISD, and Austin ISD each offer different strengths and concentrations of top-ranked schools.

Closing

Texas’s top secondary schools represent some of the finest education in the nation, with a remarkable concentration of elite magnet schools in Dallas ISD leading the state rankings . The School for the Talented and Gifted, Irma Lerma Rangel, and the School of Science and Engineering consistently demonstrate exceptional outcomes in college readiness and student performance.

Beyond Dallas, Austin’s Liberal Arts and Science Academy, Houston’s Carnegie Vanguard High School, and elite zoned schools like Westlake and Carroll Senior High showcase the depth of Texas’s educational excellence . Whether you are seeking a STEM-focused magnet, a law or health professions program, an early college experience, or a high-performing zoned school, Texas offers a diverse array of top-tier secondary school options.

Note that all information, including rankings, is subject to change, so it is essential to verify current details directly with each school and through official resources like U.S. News & World Report and the Texas Education Agency.