Top 25 High Schools In Texas (2026)

Texas is home to an exceptionally strong collection of high schools, with ten percent of the nation’s top 100 public high schools located within its borders according to the recent U.S. News & World Report rankings.

The state’s top schools are predominantly magnet programs with selective admission, though a number of elite zoned schools and charter campuses also rank among the best . These institutions demonstrate remarkable outcomes in college readiness, graduation rates, and performance on state assessments, preparing students for success at the nation’s most prestigious universities .

Top 25 High 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 2025-2026 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 99.3 college readiness rating and has sent graduates to Harvard, Stanford, Yale, and Columbia. Students demonstrate near 95% proficiency in math and reading, with a near 95% graduation rate and access to 26 AP courses.

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 292 students in 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 495 students in grades 9-12 with an accelerated STEM focus. The school features 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 demonstrates ~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 demonstrate ~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 824 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 ~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, with 135 students enrolled in grades 6-12 . The school has a 92% minority student population, and all students take 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 348 students in grades 6-12. 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. Students demonstrate a 100% or near 100% graduation rate with exceptional proficiency across all subjects.

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 922 students in grades 9-12. 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 and demonstrates exceptional college readiness.

9. Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet – Dallas ISD

Ranking No. 9 in Texas and 84th nationally, this Dallas ISD magnet school serves 480 students in grades 9-12. The overwhelming majority of students are minorities (94%) and economically disadvantaged (83%). Despite these demographics, the school achieves top-tier academic outcomes and ranks among the best in the state.

10. Talkington School for Young Women Leaders – Lubbock ISD

Ranking No. 10 in Texas and 95th nationally, this magnet school serves 231 students in grades 6-12 . The school provides a college-preparatory environment focused on developing young women leaders. It was named among the Top 10 public schools in Texas by U.S. News & World Report for the 2025-2026 rankings.

11. 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.

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

Ranking among the top 20 public high schools in Texas, this Laredo ISD campus provides early college opportunities for students. The school enables students to earn college credit while completing their high school diploma, giving them a significant head start on higher education.

13. School of Health Professions – Dallas ISD

Located at the Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center, the School of Health Professions ranks No. 13 in Texas according to U.S. News & World Report. This Dallas ISD magnet school prepares students for careers in healthcare through specialized coursework and clinical experiences.

14. Westlake Academy – Tarrant County

Westlake Academy is a charter school in Tarrant County that ranks among the top public high schools in Texas. The school demonstrates strong college readiness and was recognized by Children At Risk’s 2024-2025 Texas School Rankings for its exceptional performance across test performance, student growth, equity, and college readiness metrics.

15. IDEA McAllen College Preparatory – McAllen

This Rio Grande Valley charter school ranks among the top 20 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.

16. Health Careers High School – Northside ISD

Located in San Antonio, Health Careers High School ranks among the top 20 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.

17. Richards School for Young Women Leaders – Austin ISD

This Austin ISD magnet school ranks among the top 20 public high schools in Texas. The school focuses on developing young women leaders through a rigorous curriculum and leadership development opportunities, preparing graduates for success in college and beyond.

18. Challenge Early College High School – Houston ISD

Ranking among the top 20 public high schools in Texas, Challenge Early College in Houston ISD provides students with the opportunity to earn college credit while completing high school . The school’s early college model gives students a significant advantage when applying to competitive universities.

19. IDEA Frontier College Preparatory – Brownsville

This IDEA Public Schools campus in Brownsville ranks among the top 20 public high schools in Texas . The school serves the Rio Grande Valley community with a strong college-preparatory focus and demonstrated academic excellence.

20. IDEA Quest College Preparatory – Edinburg

IDEA Quest College Preparatory in Edinburg ranks among the top 20 public high schools in Texas . This Rio Grande Valley charter school demonstrates strong academic outcomes and college readiness across its student body.

21. Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy – Grand Prairie ISD

This Grand Prairie ISD magnet school ranks among the top public high schools in Texas, offering a specialized curriculum focused on the fine arts while maintaining strong academic outcomes . The school provides students with rigorous training in their chosen art form alongside a college-preparatory academic program.

22. Kinder High School for 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.

23. IDEA Carver College Preparatory – San Antonio

This IDEA Public Schools campus in San Antonio ranks among the top charter high schools in Texas . The school demonstrates strong college readiness outcomes and serves a diverse student population with a commitment to college-preparatory education.

24. Harmony School of Innovation – Katy

Harmony School of Innovation in Katy ranks among the top public high schools in Texas. This charter school provides STEM-focused education with a strong emphasis on academic excellence and college readiness, serving students in the Houston metropolitan area.

25. Trinidad “Trini” Garza Early College High School – Dallas ISD

Ranked No. 23 in Texas according to U.S. News & World Report, 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, giving them a substantial advantage for college admissions and success.

Comparison Table

Success Tips for Evaluating High 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; TAG admits approximately 135 freshmen annually by application only.

For families interested in charter schools, BASIS San Antonio, IDEA Public Schools, and KIPP Texas offer strong college-preparatory options with demonstrated academic excellence. 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 high schools represent some of the finest secondary 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 and Houston’s Carnegie Vanguard High School 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 specialized arts education, Texas offers a diverse array of top-tier high 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.