Phillip EdwinLos Angeles is home to a remarkable diversity of high schools, offering families a wide array of educational options, from nationally ranked public magnet schools and prestigious private institutions to innovative charter networks and specialized career academies. Whether you are seeking a rigorous STEM-focused education, a world-class performing arts program, or a strong college preparatory curriculum rooted in a specific faith or philosophy, the city provides abundant choices.
This guide highlights thirty of the best high schools in the Los Angeles area, based on academic reputation, college placement, and the unique strengths of each institution.
Top 30 Best High Schools in Los Angeles
1. Renaissance Arts Academy
Renaissance Arts Academy is a top-ranked charter school in Los Angeles, achieving a 10/10 ranking with 84% math proficiency and 79% reading proficiency. Serving grades K-12 with 475 students, this school offers a rigorous arts-integrated curriculum that prepares students for both college and careers in the creative industries. The school has a student-teacher ratio of 18:1 and a minority enrollment of 76%.
2. Girls Academic Leadership Academy Dr. Michelle King School STEM
This school ranks as the second-best public high school in Los Angeles, offering a specialized STEM-focused education for girls in grades 6-12 with 720 students. The academy provides a supportive environment that encourages young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics . It boasts a 20:1 student-teacher ratio and a minority enrollment of 69%.
3. Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School
Rated as the third-best public high school in Los Angeles, Bravo Medical Magnet is an alternative magnet school with a 9/10 ranking. Serving 1,497 students, the school offers a specialized curriculum focused on health careers, and students gain hands-on experience at Los Angeles General Medical Center. The school has 47% math proficiency, 88% reading proficiency, a 21:1 student-teacher ratio, and 97% minority enrollment.
4. John Marshall Senior High School
Ranked 213th in California and #1,558 nationally, John Marshall High School has a 91.3 overall score and a 55% AP participation rate. The school serves 1,842 students with a student-teacher ratio of 19:1, and the total minority enrollment is 81%, with 69% of students economically disadvantaged. The school has 40% math proficiency and 62% reading proficiency.
5. Downtown Business High School
Downtown Business High School ranks as the fifth-best public high school in Los Angeles, with a 9/10 ranking and serving 819 students in grades 9-12. The school achieves 43% math proficiency and 85-89% reading proficiency, with a student-teacher ratio of 18:1 and 96% minority enrollment . It offers a specialized curriculum focused on business careers.
6. Middle College High School
This school ranks sixth in Los Angeles, with a 9/10 ranking and serving 361 students. It offers a unique program allowing students to take college courses while completing high school, with 45-49% math proficiency and 75-79% reading proficiency. The student-teacher ratio is 21:1, and minority enrollment is 99%.
7. James A. Garfield Senior High School
Ranked 320th in California and #2,335 nationally, Garfield High School has a 96% graduation rate and a 47% AP participation rate, with 31% passing at least one AP exam. The school serves 2,223 students, with 27% math proficiency, 67% reading proficiency, and a student-teacher ratio of 18:1. The total minority enrollment is 99%, and 94% of students are economically disadvantaged.
8. Abraham Lincoln Senior High School
Ranked 367th in California and #2,638 nationally, Lincoln High has a 41% AP participation rate, 41% math proficiency, and 56% reading proficiency. The school serves 913 students with a student-teacher ratio of 16:1. The total minority enrollment is 98%, and 86% of students are economically disadvantaged.
9. Benjamin Franklin Senior High School
Franklin High School is ranked 481st in California and #3,521 nationally, with a 59% AP participation rate . The school serves students in grades 9-12 with a total minority enrollment of 96%, and 86% of students are economically disadvantaged . The school offers robust academic programs and college preparatory courses.
10. Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts
Ranked 777th in California and #6,379 nationally, this school offers a unique blend of rigorous academics and pre-professional arts training in dance, music, theater, and visual arts. With a 50% AP participation rate, 95% graduation rate, and 1,139 students, it serves students passionate about careers in the arts . The student-teacher ratio is 17:1, with 84% minority enrollment.
Charter and Specialized Schools
11. Larchmont Charter
Larchmont Charter is ranked as the fourth-best public high school in Los Angeles, with a 9/10 ranking and serving 1,767 students in grades K-12. The school achieves 57% math proficiency and 69% reading proficiency, with a 25:1 student-teacher ratio and 66% minority enrollment . It offers a comprehensive K-12 educational program.
12. Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies
Ranked eighth among Los Angeles public high schools, this school has a 9/10 ranking and serves 1,357 students in grades 6-12. It achieves 47% math proficiency and 69% reading proficiency, with a student-teacher ratio of 21:1 and 73% minority enrollment. The school offers a rigorous academic program for motivated students.
13. Eagle Rock High School
Eagle Rock High School ranks 12th among Los Angeles public high schools and is ranked 8/10, serving 2,031 students in grades 7-12. The school achieves 45% math proficiency and 66% reading proficiency, with a student-teacher ratio of 20:1 and 81% minority enrollment . It offers a comprehensive high school program with strong academics.
14. Alliance Judy Ivie Burton Technology Academy High School
This charter school is ranked 13th among Los Angeles public high schools and serves 616 students in grades 9-12. It achieves 45-49% math proficiency and 60-64% reading proficiency, with a student-teacher ratio of 21:1. The school focuses on technology and college preparatory education.
15. Alliance Marc & Eva Stern Math and Science
This charter school ranks among the top public high schools in Los Angeles, serving 558 students with a focus on mathematics and science education. The school achieves 30-34% math proficiency and 75-79% reading proficiency, with a student-teacher ratio of 18:1 and 97% minority enrollment.
16. L.A. County High School for the Arts
This alternative school serves 551 students in grades 9-12, offering specialized arts education with 30-34% math proficiency and 75-79% reading proficiency. The student-teacher ratio is 12:1, and minority enrollment is 68%. The school prepares students for careers in the performing and visual arts.
17. Alliance Leichtman-Levine Family Foundation Environmental Science High School
This charter school serves 296 students with a focus on environmental science education . It achieves 30-34% math proficiency and 70-74% reading proficiency, with a student-teacher ratio of 16:1 and 97% minority enrollment.
18. Math Science & Technology Magnet Academy at Roosevelt High School
This magnet school serves 534 students with a specialized STEM curriculum. It achieves 30-34% math proficiency and 70-74% reading proficiency, with a student-teacher ratio of 18:1 and 96% minority enrollment.
Notable Schools and Additional Options
19. Thurgood Marshall Secondary School
Formerly known as Marshall Fundamental, this school serves 1,848 students in grades 6-12 and is recognized as one of the 30 Best High Schools in Los Angeles, ranking 18th. The school has a student-teacher ratio of 23:1, offers Advanced Placement courses and a Gifted & Talented program, and has a vibrant athletics program featuring 18 different sports and 24 teams. The total minority enrollment is 81%, with 78% of students economically disadvantaged.
20. Alliance Ted K. Tajima High School
This charter school is recognized among Los Angeles’ public high schools, offering a college-preparatory education to students in the area.
21. Orthopaedic Hospital
This alternative school serves 653 students in grades 9-12, with 35-39% math proficiency and 75-79% reading proficiency. The student-teacher ratio is 18:1, and minority enrollment is 98%.
22. Rise Kohyang High School
This charter school serves 470 students in grades 9-12, with 40-44% math proficiency and 70-74% reading proficiency. The student-teacher ratio is 19:1, and minority enrollment is 99%.
23. New West Charter
This charter school serves 980 students in grades 6-12, with 48% math proficiency and 66% reading proficiency. The student-teacher ratio is 18:1, and minority enrollment is 47%.
24. Boyle Heights Hilda Solis High School
This alternative magnet school serves 256 students in grades 9-12, with 40-59% math proficiency and 60-79% reading proficiency. The student-teacher ratio is 13:1, and minority enrollment is 99%.
25. Los Angeles Senior High School
Ranked 1,006th in California and #9,138 nationally, this historic school serves 1,036 students with a 53% AP participation rate. The total minority enrollment is 97%, and 83% of students are economically disadvantaged.
26. Nava College Preparatory Academy
Ranked 775th in California and #6,375 nationally, this school serves students with a 30% AP participation rate . The total minority enrollment is 99%, and 100% of students are economically disadvantaged.
27. Sotomayor Arts and Sciences Magnet
This magnet school offers specialized arts and sciences education to students in the Los Angeles area, providing a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum.
28. Helen Bernstein High School
Located in Hollywood, this school serves the local community with comprehensive academic programs and college preparatory courses.
29. Stem Academy at Bernstein High School
This specialized program within Helen Bernstein High School offers a STEM-focused curriculum for students interested in science and technology careers.
30. Early College Academy – LA Trade Tech College
This school offers students the opportunity to earn college credits while completing high school, providing a pathway to higher education.
Comparison Table
| School | Type | Location | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renaissance Arts Academy | Charter K-12 | Los Angeles | 10/10 ranking, 84% math proficiency |
| Girls Academic Leadership Academy STEM | Public 6-12 | Los Angeles | STEM focus for girls |
| Bravo Medical Magnet High School | Public Magnet | Los Angeles | Medical careers, hands-on hospital training |
| John Marshall Senior High School | Public | Los Angeles | #213 in CA, 55% AP participation |
| Downtown Business High School | Public | Los Angeles | Business career focus |
| Middle College High School | Public | Los Angeles | College courses during high school |
| James A. Garfield Senior High School | Public | East LA | 96% graduation rate |
| Abraham Lincoln Senior High School | Public | Lincoln Heights | #367 in CA, 41% AP participation |
| Benjamin Franklin Senior High School | Public | Los Angeles | 59% AP participation rate |
| Ramon C. Cortines School of VAPA | Public | Los Angeles | Visual and performing arts focus |
| Larchmont Charter | Charter K-12 | Los Angeles | 57% math proficiency |
| Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies | Public 6-12 | Los Angeles | Rigorous academic program |
| Eagle Rock High School | Public 7-12 | Los Angeles | Comprehensive high school program |
| Alliance Technology Academy | Charter | Los Angeles | Technology focus |
| Alliance Math and Science | Charter | Los Angeles | STEM focus |
| L.A. County High School for the Arts | Alternative | Los Angeles | Arts education |
| Environmental Science High School | Charter | Los Angeles | Environmental science focus |
| STEM Magnet at Roosevelt | Public Magnet | Los Angeles | STEM curriculum |
| Thurgood Marshall Secondary | Public 6-12 | Pasadena | Gifted & Talented program |
| Alliance Tajima High School | Charter | Los Angeles | College-preparatory |
| Orthopaedic Hospital | Alternative | Los Angeles | Healthcare career focus |
| Rise Kohyang High School | Charter | Los Angeles | College-preparatory |
| New West Charter | Charter 6-12 | Los Angeles | Strong academic program |
| Boyle Heights Hilda Solis High School | Magnet | Los Angeles | Alternative education |
| Los Angeles Senior High School | Public | Los Angeles | Historic, comprehensive program |
| Nava College Preparatory Academy | Public | Los Angeles | College preparatory |
| Sotomayor Arts and Sciences Magnet | Magnet | Los Angeles | Arts and sciences |
| Helen Bernstein High School | Public | Hollywood | Comprehensive program |
| Stem Academy at Bernstein | Public | Hollywood | STEM focus |
| Early College Academy | Public | Los Angeles | Dual enrollment, college credits |
Tips and Other Useful Information
Public vs. Private: LA offers both top-tier public magnet schools and prestigious private schools. Public magnet schools offer a rigorous curriculum at no cost, while private schools provide smaller class sizes and additional resources but come with significant tuition costs .
Career Technical Education: LAUSD has expanded career and technical education pathways, with programs like Bravo Medical Magnet and Downtown Business High School showing strong outcomes for college and career readiness .
Application Processes: Charter schools like Renaissance Arts Academy and Alliance schools have specific application processes, while public magnet schools often require assessment-based admissions .
Diversity and Inclusion: Many high schools in Los Angeles serve diverse populations. John Marshall High School has 81% minority enrollment , Abraham Lincoln High School has 98% minority enrollment , and James A. Garfield High School has 99% minority enrollment . Schools like Nava College Preparatory Academy have 100% economically disadvantaged students .
Conclusion
Los Angeles offers a wealth of exceptional high schools, from nationally recognized magnets like Bravo Medical Magnet and Renaissance Arts Academy to comprehensive public schools like John Marshall and Garfield. Whether you are seeking a rigorous STEM-focused education, a comprehensive college-preparatory program, a performing arts school, or career technical training, the city’s diverse array of high schools provides outstanding opportunities for students to achieve academic success and prepare for college and careers.