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

Several Rhode Island 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.

See also: No More Cellphones For Students In Rhode Island Schools Next Year

Rhode Island's top 50 public high schools are:

1. Barrington High School
2. Classical High School
3. East Greenwich High School
4. North Kingstown Senior High School
5. Portsmouth High School
6. Narragansett High School
7. Lincoln Senior High School
8. Blackstone Valley Prep High School
9. Middletown High School
10. Jacqueline M. Walsh School for the Performing & Visual Arts
11. South Kingstown High School
12. Smithfield High School
13. Exeter West Greenwich Regional
14. North Smithfield High School
15. Ponaganset High School
16. Cumberland High School
17. Cranston High School West
18. Davies Career and Technical High School
19. Rogers High School
20. Blackstone Academy Charter School
21. The Greene School
22. North Providence High School
23. Metropolitan Career Tech Center
24. Westerly High School
25. Chariho High School
26. Mt. Hope High School
27. Tiverton High School
28. West Warwick High School
29. Scituate High School
30. Cranston High School East
31. Times 2 Middle/High School
32. Pilgrim High School
33. Apprenticeship Exploration School
34. Coventry High School
35. Trinity Academy Performing Art
36. Johnston Senior High School
37. Toll Gate High School
38. East Providence High School
39. Paul Cuffee Upper School
40. Block Island School
41. Sheila Skip Nowell Leadership
42. Village Green Virtual
43. Charette Charter School
44. Highlander Charter Middle and High School
45. Charles E. Shea High School
46. Burrillville High School
47. E-Cubed Academy
48. Beacon Charter High School for the Arts
49. Rini Middle College
50. Providence Career Technical

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)

See also: The Top 25 High Schools In Rhode Island For 2025-26: U.S. News & World Report

“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.”

See also: New School Rankings Put RI Among Nation's Leaders — See Where It Ranked