Students are heading back to school in the Fresno area.

As families prepare for another year of classes and extracurricular activities, they may be wondering about the quality of education available in Fresno County.

School ranking and review website Niche released its 2026 Best Schools in America rankings in the fall, evaluating schools based on factors including academics, diversity, teachers and college preparation.

Niche then graded schools on a scale of A+ through D-.

“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 data helps families “choose schools where their children can succeed academically, thrive socially, and build a strong foundation for their future,” Skurman said.

As the 2026-27 school year begins, here’s a look at the county’s top public elementary, middle and high schools, according to Niche:

What are top public school in Fresno County?

Hume Lake Charter School in Hume was one of the highest rated schools in Fresno County in 2026, topping Niche’s lists of the best public elementary and middle schools in the area.

Niche also named the school at 64144 Hume Lake Road the best Fresno County public school serving students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

Hume got an overall A+ grade from Niche, with high scores for teachers, academics and administration.

Hume Lake Charter School serves 45 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, with a student-teacher ratio of six to one.

In 2026, the premier public high school in Fresno County was University High School in Fresno.

University High is on the campus of Fresno State at 2611 East Matoian Way in Fresno.

The high school has 500 students in ninth through 12th grades with a student-teacher ratio of 24 to 1.

According to state test scores, 82% of students at University High are at least proficient in math, and 95% in reading.

University High landed at No. 13 on Niche’s list of the best public high schools in California.

Clovis North High School claimed second place on Niche’s 2026 list of the top high schools in the county.

Clovis High was the top-rated high school in Fresno County for STEM, according to Niche.

Niche named Kingsburg Joint Union High School District earned the No. 1 school district in the Fresno area.

Clovis Unified School District took second place.

The best elementary schools in Fresno County include campuses in Big Creek, Clovis and Hume. The best elementary schools in Fresno County include campuses in Big Creek, Clovis and Hume. Fresno Bee file What are the top elementary schools in Fresno County?

These were the top 10 public elementary schools in Fresno County in 2026, according to Niche:

Hume Lake Charter School in HumeBig Creek Elementary School in Big CreekJames S. Fugman Elementary School in FresnoHarold L. Woods Elementary School in ClovisLiberty Elementary School in FresnoGarfield Elementary School in ClovisCopper Hills Elementary School in FresnoDry Creek Elementary School in ClovisRiverview Elementary School in FresnoValley Oak Elementary School in Fresno. Garfield Elementary School in Clovis Unified School District is one of the top 10 public elementary schools in Fresno County in 2026, according to Niche. Garfield Elementary School in Clovis Unified School District is one of the top 10 public elementary schools in Fresno County in 2026, according to Niche. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com What are the best middle schools in Fresno County?

Niche said these were the top 10 public middle schools in Fresno County in 2026:

Hume Lake Charter School in HumeBig Creek Elementary School in Big CreekGranite Ridge Intermediate School in FresnoAlta Sierra Intermediate School in ClovisClay Elementary School in KingburgQuail Lake Environmental Charter School in ClovisReyburn Intermediate School in ClovisKastner Intermediate School in FresnoClark Intermediate School in ClovisEnterprise Alternative School in Clovis University High School in Fresno. University High School in Fresno. BEE FILE PHOTO Fresno Bee Staff Photo What are the best high schools in Fresno County?

Here are the top 10 public high schools for 2026 in Fresno, Niche said:

University High School in FresnoClovis North High School in FresnoDesign Science Middle College High School in FresnoHume Lake Charter School in HumeBuchanan High School in ClovisClovis West High School in FresnoCentral High School in FresnoReedley Middle College High School in ReedleyCareer Technical Education Charter School in FresnoEnterprise Alternative School in ClovisHow did Niche rank local schools?

Niche based its rankings on the most recent data available from public sources, including the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Census Bureau combined with millions of reviews from students, parents and residents.

“Key factors include academics, teachers, resources, facilities, extracurriculars, and more,” Niche said.

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Gagandeep Singh

The Fresno Bee

Gagandeep Singh is a service journalism reporter for The Fresno Bee. He holds a master’s degree in politics and global affairs from Columbia University. Prior to working at The Bee, he worked as a freelancer for CalMatters, BBC News and the Los Angeles Times. He focuses on migration, education, criminal justice and the South Asian diaspora in California.