20 Best Public High Schools in Florida – 2025
June 2, 2024
Top-notch high schools might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you hear “Florida,” a state better-known for its beautiful beaches, warm weather, and theme parks. But don’t be fooled! High schools across the state, both public and private, have been recognized for their excellence. (Check out the best private schools in Orlando, Tampa, and Miami) Below, we will discuss the 20 best public high schools in Florida.
While many factors contribute to the excellence of a high school, this article will focus on college admissions. In other words, how do the best public high schools in Florida rank when it comes to sending graduates to top colleges? On the one hand, attending a great high school doesn’t guarantee admission into an Ivy League. At the same time, it can certainly help with the application process. What’s more, some of these top public high schools offer unique learning opportunities in areas like environmental studies, medical research, and arts and design.
Best Public High Schools in Florida
When assessing Florida public high schools, we looked at each school’s “college readiness index,” which calculates values for schools based on student performance on both state-required tests and AP/IB exams. This list also considers national rankings, student-to-teacher ratios, and the percentage of students taking and passing AP exams. Additionally, with each school you can find some brief highlights, including information on curricula and college matriculation.
To be sure, it’s important to keep in mind that any “best-of” list is going to be subjective. As such, this list is presented alphabetically for ease of presentation. Remember, attending any one of these best public high schools in Florida will set you up for success. While a number of these schools are zoned (admission depends on where students live), others are magnet schools (students must apply and admission could be competitive).
Without further delay, here are 20 of the best public high schools in Florida:
1) Alexander W. Dreyfoos Junior School of the Arts
- Location: West Palm Beach (Palm Beach Public Schools)
- Enrollment: 1,352
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 19:1
- Average SAT Score: 1222
As a school for the arts, Dreyfoos (not a spelling error) offers a wide array of programs in dance, theater, visual arts, music, and digital media. Impressively, a private group, the School of the Arts Foundation, ensures that no student attends Dreyfoos without ballet shoes, instruments, art materials, lessons, or other material needs. Though the school’s focus is on the arts, Dreyfoos also offers 26 AP courses as well as 5 AICE courses. They’ve got numerous YouTube videos, including a 13-minute lipdub.
2) Archimedean Upper Conservatory Charter School
- Location: Miami (Miami-Dade County Public Schools)
- Enrollment: 306
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 13:1
- Average SAT Score: 1324
The Archimedean Upper Conservatory is unique school. (It’s got a snazzy website — you can tell it’s a charter school.) AUC is both a math-focused academy and, at the same time, a partial Greek-immersion language school. To be sure, the academics are top-notch — the school’s “European mathematical curriculum” is rigorous (and in Greek). At the same time, the school’s unabashed Hellenism makes it an outlier.
3) Darnell-Cookman School of the Medical Arts
- Location: Jacksonville (Duval County Public Schools)
- Enrollment: 1,068
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 19:1 (grades 9-12)
- Average SAT Score: 1134
This high school aims to prepare students for collegiate success through a curriculum that integrates professional medical standards. The school’s Biomedical Science Program courses allow high school students to work in state-of-the-art biomedical labs, and students can even take the Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing Exam. The Medical Program provides classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences that prepare students for careers in the medical field.
4) Design and Architecture Senior High School
- Location: Miami (Miami-Dade County Public Schools)
- Enrollment: 486 (grades 6-12)
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 17:1
- Average SAT Score: 1142
With a one-of-a-kind art and design program as well as rigorous core academics, DASH students focus on architecture, industrial design, fashion design, visual communication (graphics), and entertainment technology (film). This magnet school has a competitive application process, which includes an art portfolio. In recent years, five DASH students have become YoungArts Presidential Scholars.
5) Doral Performing Arts and Entertainment Academy
- Location: Doral (Miami-Dade County Public Schools)
- Enrollment: 369
- Student-to-teacher ratio: not available
- Average SAT Score: 1216
Doral’s audition-based arts programs include Band/Orchestra/Guitar, Dance, Photography, Theater, TV Production, Visual Art, and Voice/Keyboard. While arts are highly emphasized, the school’s mission is to prepare students for success in any rigorous educational setting. As befits its TV production bona fides, Doral has an active YouTube channel.
6) Edgewood Jr/Sr High School
- Location: Merritt Island (Brevard County Public Schools)
- Enrollment: 942 (grades 7-12)
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 19:1
- Average SAT Score: 1261
Home of the Red Wolves, Edgewood Jr/Sr High School leads with the strangely clunky, “To Serve Every Student with Excellence as the Standard.” That being said, Edgewood is an application-only school that offers advanced coursework through an array of AP and dual enrollment courses. Puzzling for a public school, parents are expected to complete 20 hours of volunteer service per academic year at Edgewood. I’m sure this expectation affects working class families in exactly the same way as more affluent families. You can check out Edgewood’s Youtube channel here.
7) International Studies Charter High School
- Location: Miami (Miami-Dade County Public School)
- Enrollment: 376
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 20:1
- Average SAT Score: 1145
With a mission of “preparing students to be thoughtful, educated members of a global society,” ISCHS includes French, Spanish, and Italian programs approved by the French, Spanish, and Italian consulates. This school has a diverse student body (with 80.1% minority enrollment and 62% economically disadvantaged enrollment), and it is known for its spirit of camaraderie as students excel in all subject areas.
8) iPrep Academy
- Location: Miami (Miami-Dade County Public Schools)
- Enrollment: 522 (grades 6-12)
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 17:1 (grades 9-12)
- Average SAT Score: 1126
This magnet school aims to foster an environment of collaboration across disciplines, cultures, and economic backgrounds, and every student at iPrep has equal access to technology. What’s more, the school has a relaxed environment mixed with a rigorous curriculum, which promotes respect and responsibility among students and staff. iPrep students have won the Elie Wiesel Ethics Essay Contest, the Model UN Best Position Paper, and the M-DCPS Women’s History Essay Contest, among other prestigious competitions.
9) Jose Marti MAST 6-12 Academy
- Location: Hialeah (Miami-Dade County Public Schools)
- Enrollment: 1,008 (grades 6-12)
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 21:1
- Average SAT Score: 1240
This science-focused school aims to provide students with a challenging curriculum that encourages critical thinking, science research, mathematics, and computer technology. Unsurprisingly, this school “promotes choice, equity, diversity, and academic excellence for all students.” What’s more, this is all the more inspring considering the school’s demographics — 90% of the schools students speak Spanish at home and 59% are first-gen. In short, this school has everything you would expect from one of the best public high schools in Florida.
10) Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST@FIU)
- Location: North Miami (Miami-Dade County Public Schools)
- Enrollment: 489
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 21:1
- Average SAT Score: 1271
Billing itself as “the only university-based public high school in Florida,” MAST@FIU is run through Florida International University (FIU). What’s more, MAST@FIU has been recognized for its innovative pedagogy and commitment to applied research, and its collaborative partnership with FIU cultivates opportunities for students to participate in advanced coursework, especially in STEM fields.
11) MAST Academy
- Location: Key Biscayne (Miami-Dade County Public Schools)
- Enrollment: 1,571
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 20:1
- Average SAT Score: 1271
As the only maritime and science technology magnet school in the Miami-Dade County Public School system, MAST Academy values diversity, environmental awareness, and experiential-based learning. What’s more, students take advantage of the school’s many AP courses, and they are required to complete internships for career advancement. In recent years, internship placements have included the Department of Environmental Resource Management, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Miami Herald, among others.
12) Millennium 6-12 Collegiate Academy
- Location: Tamarac (Broward County Public Schools)
- Enrollment: 1,435 (grades 6-12)
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 20:1
- Average SAT Score: 1206
Millennium’s mission is to “provide all students with high-quality, rigorous, and engaging instruction that is relevant and authentic.” It also cares about its students being “college and career-ready, socially concious, and productive citizens.” I suppose that Millenium students spend most of their time studying, so they don’t seem to be need many clubs.
13) NeoCity Academy
- Location: Kissimmee (Osceola School District)
- Enrollment: 514
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 16:1
- Average SAT Score: 1274
NeoCity Academy is a selective STEM-focused magnet school designed for students to own their learning through inquiry-driven projects. The school offers 18 AP courses and individualized college counseling. Perhaps unsurprisingly, 80% of students in the classes of 2022 and 2023 were accepted into 4-year colleges or universities, many of which are highly competitive. You can read about the genesis of this questionable neologism here.
14) Paxon School for Advanced Studies
- Location: Jacksonville (Duval County Public Schools)
- Enrollment: 1,278
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 20:1
- Average SAT Score: 1122
Unsurprisingly, Paxon offers both AP and IB studies (the IB pass rate is at least 81% each year). With strong college counseling and competitive test scores, Paxon seniors are regularly admitted into a number of excellent state universities and Ivy League colleges. That being said, their declaration, that “Only Paxon’s welcoming environment, expansive program offerings and globally recognized standards of excellence create opportunities for the greatest possible future,” seems a reductive understanding of education.
15) Pine View School
- Location: Osprey (Sarasota County Schools)
- Enrollment: 1,752 (grades 2-12)
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 16:1
- Average SAT Score: 1416
Though this school is listed as “Pine View School,” its full name is “Pine View School for the Gifted,” which is giving “Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters” vibes. Unsuprisingly, Pine Ridge offers 35 (of 38 possible) AP courses, a FIRST robotics team, and a VEX robotics club. What’s more, it also has a strange obsession with the boiling point of water. (I suppose that if you’re one of the best public high schools in Florida, then you’re allowed to be eccentric.)
16) Stanton College Preparatory School
- Location: Jacksonville (Duval County Public Schools)
- Enrollment: 1,363
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 17:1
- Average SAT Score: 1305
Stanton has a fascinating history. Founded 1868, it was only the second school for black children in Florida. Nowadays, only 14% of its students are economically disadvantaged and it offers both an AP and IB program of study. Unsurprisingly, as far as mission statements go, Stanton doesn’t stray far from the standard, aiming for “self-directed learners,” “academic excellence,” and ” rigorous academic standards.” On the other hand, Stanton does seem to have more clubs than many of the schools on this list, including a Dungeons and Dragons club and a film club.
17) Suncoast Community High School
- Location: Riviera Beach (Palm Beach School District)
- Enrollment: 1,522
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 20:1
- Average SAT Score: 1296
This school has 4 magnet programs: computer science, interactive technology, International Baccalaureate, and math/science/engineering. Students can also earn industry certifications in several technical subjects. Unsurprisingly, it’s got a stridently positive welcome video for all you future Chargers.
18) TERRA Environmental Research Institute
- Location: Miami (Miami-Dade County Public School)
- Enrollment: 1,644
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 25:1
- Average SAT Score: 1248
Known informally as the “Green School,” TERRA is a magnet school comprised of 3 academies: the Biomedical Academy, the Applied Engineering Academy, and the Environmental Research & Field Studies Academy. What’s more, in pursuit of the school’s goal of academic excellence and environmental stewardship, TERRA’s students lead advanced scientific research projects and participate in their communities through service learning.
19) West Shore Junior/Senior High School
- Location: Melbourne (Brevard County Public Schools)
- Enrollment: 1,435 (grades 7-12)
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 18:1
- Average SAT Score: 1322
As a “public school of choice,” this junior/senior high school is open to any student in the district. In recent years, West Shore has been recognized for its environmental care & ownership, achievement through technology, excellence in physical education, and excellence in visual arts. Unlike some of the schools on this list, West Shore has an active club life, including the Harry Potter Club, a literary magazine, and something called the “Whirrly Girls Drone Team.”
20) Young Women’s Preparatory Academy
- Location: Miami (Miami-Dade County Public School)
- Enrollment: 295 (grades 6-12)
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 18:1
- Average SAT Score: 1120
With the mission of nurturing, empowering, and educating girls to become intellectually advanced leaders, this school recruits a diverse group of high-achieving girls in order to work towards a more equitable world. Young Women’s Preparatory Academy is part of the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools, which advocates for the elevating of women’s leadership worldwide through girls’ schools. Though highly ranked, this school has struggled with enrollment (the class of ’25 will be only 19 students).
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, you have gained some insight into the best public high schools in Florida. For more information on top high schools, check out the following articles:
