These Are The Best Public High Schools In MN, New Ranking Says

WAYZATA, MN — Several Minnesota schools are among the best public high schools in the country, according to a Monday report released by Niche.

The 2026 Best Public High Schools in America ranking evaluates more than 93,000 public high schools nationwide.

Niche said its rankings, now in the 11th year, differ from others that rely almost exclusively on test scores and academic performance in that it also includes input from students, alumni, and parents, as well as quantitative data from sources such as the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate teachers, resources, and facilities.

Here are Niche’s top 50 public high schools in Minnesota for 2026:

1. Wayzata High School (Wayzata) #234 nationally
2. Math & Science Academy (Woodbury) #252 nationally
3. Minnetonka Senior High School (Minnetonka) #266 nationally
4. Edina Senior High School (Edina) #422 nationally
5. Eden Prairie High School (Eden Prairie) #464 nationally
6. SAGE Academy Charter School (Brooklyn Park)
7. Nova Classical Academy Upper School (St. Paul)
8. Eastview Senior High School (Apple Valley)
9. EP Online Secondary (Eden Prairie, Online)
10. Mounds View High School (Mounds View)
11. St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper School (Stillwater area)
12. Eagan Senior High School (Eagan)
13. Highland Park Senior High School (St. Paul)
14. Orono Senior High School (Orono)
15. Lakeville South High School (Lakeville)
16. Mayo Senior High School (Rochester)
17. Eagle Ridge Academy (Chanhassen)
18. Maple Grove Senior High School (Maple Grove)
19. Rosemount Senior High School (Rosemount)
20. Chanhassen High School (Chanhassen)
21. Mahtomedi Senior High School (Mahtomedi)
22. Lakeville Online Academy (Lakeville, Online)
23. Blaine High School (Blaine)
24. Northfield Senior High School (Northfield)
25. Jefferson Senior High School (Bloomington)
26. East Ridge High School (Woodbury/Cottage Grove)
27. Woodbury Senior High School (Woodbury)
28. Shakopee Senior High School (Shakopee)
29. Roseville Area Senior High School (Roseville)
30. Sartell Senior High School (Sartell)
31. Lakes International Language Academy Upper School (Forest Lake)
32. Prior Lake High School (Prior Lake)
33. St. Michael–Albertville Senior High School (St. Michael/Albertville)
34. Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (St. Paul)
35. Washburn Senior High School (Minneapolis)
36. Lakeville North High School (Lakeville)
37. Century Senior High School (Rochester)
38. Champlin Park High School (Champlin/Brooklyn Park)
39. Central Senior High School (St. Paul)
40. Hopkins Senior High School (Hopkins)
41. Harbor City International School (Duluth)
42. Andover High School (Andover)
43. Great River School (St. Paul)
44. Avalon School (St. Paul)
45. Irondale High School (New Brighton)
46. Greenway Senior High School (Coleraine)
47. Chaska High School (Chaska)
48. Rogers Senior High School (Rogers)
49. Prior Lake–Savage Area ALC (Prior Lake)
50. Two Rivers High School (Mendota Heights/West St. Paul)

According to Niche, the top five public high schools in America are:

1. North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
2. The Davidson Academy (Nevada)
3. Massachusetts Academy for Math & Science
4. South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics
5. Stuyvesant High School (New York)

“Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions a family can make," Luke Skurman, founder and CEO of Niche, said in a news release. “Our K-12 rankings bring together rigorous data and real experiences from students, parents and educators. This gives families the clarity to choose schools where their children can succeed academically, thrive socially, and build a strong foundation for their future.”