The Number One School in the U.S. is in Charleston, S.C.

In South Carolina, some Charleston County Schools and school district has its faults, but when you finally receive some great news about a school, you have to give it up! North Charleston, South Carolina is finally in the news for something great! North Charleston is now home to the Best High School in the United States, according to the 2019 U.S. News & World Report rankings. Academic Magnet High School has been named the top high school in the country.

South Carolina overall has a spotty reputation when it comes to education.  It has been a long, hard-fought battle involving parents, teachers, and a district that has a history of questionable decision-making.  South Carolina as a state was ranked 30th in the country, within this same survey, for overall quality of education; this ranking is based on states that have a total number of schools in the top 25% ranking, according to U.S. News. Charleston School of the Arts, a middle school, was also ranked second in the state and 164th in the country; also not bad.

This number one ranking is a huge accomplishment for Charleston County Magnet School, who excelled to first place out of 17,000 other public high schools in America.  Last year, the school was ranked 43rd.  At this school, all courses are taught at the honors or advanced placement levels, giving students an opportunity to earn college credit. Some of the students at this school have already been published in academic and professional scholarly journals, and students have conducted research and independent studies. Amazing!

U.S. News alongside N.C.-based RTI International (a research firm) ranked the 17,000 schools based on 6 important factors: college curriculum, college readiness, breadth, reading & math proficiency, reading and math performance, and undeserved student performance and graduation rates.

Here are the top 10 schools in the U.S. listed below:

1. Academic Magnet High School (SC)
2. Maine School of Science and Mathematics
3. BASIS Scottsdale (AZ)
4. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (VA)
5. Central Magnet School (TN)
6. Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (GA)
7. Haas Hall Academy (AR)
8. International Academy of Macomb (MI)
9. Payton College Preparatory High School (IL)
10. Signature School (IN)

Congratulations to the children, administration and staff over at Academic Magnet High School!  This is a great accomplishment and we are sure that your futures will be bright!

Source: The State