California charter public schools are standing out among the state’s best high schools. Twenty-one earned spots among California’s Top 100 in U.S. News & World Report’s newly released 2026–2027 Best High Schools rankings, with charter schools represented in communities across the Golden State.
The charter movement’s impact is especially notable at the top of the rankings: 10 charter public schools rank among California’s Top 50, including University High School in Fresno at #6 and Pacific Collegiate Charter in Santa Cruz at #8.
Those two schools also earned national distinction, with University High School ranking #64 and Pacific Collegiate Charter ranking #82 among all public high schools nationwide.
California charter public schools are delivering exceptional academic outcomes across diverse communities. Their strong showing also reflects a broader national trend: charter public schools make up 23% of U.S. News & World Report’s Top 100 public high schools nationwide.
“These rankings showcase the excellence, flexibility and diversity that define California’s charter public school movement,” said Myrna Castrejón, CCSA President and CEO. “They also reinforce something we know is possible: academic excellence and educational equity can go hand in hand. Latino students, Black students, students from low-income families, English learners and students with disabilities deserve exceptional public schools—and these results demonstrate what is possible when educators are empowered to design schools around the students they serve and are deeply committed to their success.”
Unlike some highly ranked public schools that use selective admissions criteria, California charter public schools are tuition-free public schools open to all students, regardless of academic achievement.
California Charter Excellence Across the Rankings
From Fresno and Stockton to San Jose, Los Angeles, Chula Vista and Santa Cruz, the charter public schools recognized among California’s Top 100 reflect the range of high-quality public school options available to families, with educational models designed to meet the unique needs and interests of students.
University High School, located on the Fresno State campus, ranks #6 in California and #64 nationally. The tuition-free charter public high school offers a rigorous, accelerated college-preparatory curriculum that blends the arts, sciences and liberal studies. Its distinctive program includes four years of music alongside Advanced Placement courses and dual-enrollment college opportunities.
Pacific Collegiate Charter in Santa Cruz ranks #8 in California and #82 nationally. The tuition-free charter public school serves students in grades 7–12 through a college-preparatory program combining rigorous academics with robust visual and performing arts and world language offerings.
Other charter public schools also earned prominent spots among California’s highest-ranked high schools. Western Center Academy in Hemet ranks #13; Chula Vista Learning Community Charter ranks #22; The Preuss School UC San Diegoranks #27; Orange County School of the Arts ranks #32; and KIPP San Jose Collegiate ranks #36.
Rounding out the charter public schools in California’s Top 50 are Stockton Unified Early College Academy at #40, Western Sierra Collegiate Academy at #42 andUniversity Preparatory Academy Charter at #50.
The rankings also include several schools from some of California’s most successful charter networks, including Alliance College-Ready Public Schools,,KIPP Public Schools and Green Dot Public Schools, demonstrating that strong academic outcomes are being achieved across multiple campuses serving diverse student populations and communities.
Together, these charter public schools illustrate the many ways students are learning across California’s charter public school landscape—from college-prep and early-college programs to STEM, arts-focused and other unique educational models.
“Each school has its own approach, shaped by the needs and aspirations of the students and families it serves,” Castrejón said. “What connects them is a commitment to high expectations, educational excellence and creating opportunities for students to thrive. We congratulate the educators, students and families behind this well-deserved recognition.”
Media interested in interviewing leaders from any of these top-ranked charter public schools may contact the schools directly or reach out to Ana Tintocalis, CCSA Vice President of PR & Creative
Services, at [email protected]. CCSA can help facilitate interviews with school and campus leadership.
CA Charter Public High Schools Ranked the State's Top 100
State Rank · School · National Rank
#6 · University High School (Fresno) · #64
#8 · Pacific Collegiate Charter · #82
#13 · Western Center Academy · #109
#22 · Chula Vista Learning Community Charter · #179
#27 · The Preuss School UC San Diego · #198
#32 · Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) · #239
#36 · KIPP San Jose Collegiate · #264
#40 · Stockton Unified Early College Academy · #293
#42 · Western Sierra Collegiate Academy · #304
#50 · University Preparatory Academy Charter · #342
#51 · Hawthorne Math and Science Academy · #352
#55 · Alliance Ted K. Tajima High School · #390
#57 · Alliance Marc and Eva Stern Math and Science · #395
#59 · Ánimo Leadership High School · #404
#60 · Ánimo Inglewood Charter High School · #407
#65 · Lennox Mathematics, Science and Technology Academy · #451
#72 · Temecula Preparatory · #487
#94 · KIPP King Collegiate High School · #633
#95 · Alliance Patti and Peter Neuwirth Leadership Academy · #638
#98 · Alliance Gertz-Ressler Richard Merkin 6-12 Complex · #648
#100 · Environmental Charter High School · #674
U.S. News & World Report’s 2026–2027 Best High Schools rankings evaluated approximately 27,000 eligible public high schools nationwide, with nearly 18,000 receiving rankings. Schools are evaluated using six indicators, including student achievement on state-required assessments, graduation rates and college readiness measures.
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About the California Charter Schools Association
The vision of the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) is to build great public schools of joy and rigor that prepare all California students for success in college, career, community, and life. The mission of CCSA is to meet parent, educator, and community need for great public school options by supporting and advocating for high quality non-profit charter schools and sharing their success throughout California’s public schools. Learn more.