U.S. News says its annual school rankings give families a way to evaluate local education options.<\/p>\n
“Every student deserves a pathway to success, and that journey often begins with selecting the right school,” Dr. LaMont Jones, the U.S. managing editor for education, said in a statement. “The 2026-2027 Best High Schools rankings empower families with the valuable data and transparency they need to help make the best educational choices for them.<\/p>\n
U.S. News has some of the most influential school-rankings lists in the country. The publication even licenses its name so schools can use their ranking in promotional materials.<\/p>\n
But with a heavy emphasis on AP and standardized test scores, critics say the rankings lack nuance and heavily favor wealthy communities.<\/p>\n