California is home to many high-performing schools, and several trusted sources highlight their achievements. The California Department of Education’s Distinguished Schools program honors outstanding public schools across the state, while U.S. News & World Report ranks the best schools in each state and in the nation, and Niche evaluates schools based on academics, culture, and community.

Charter public high schools across California are recognized for their outstanding performance and academic achievement. Explore the schools earning top recognition and rankings below.

Top-Ranked Charter Public High Schools
in California 

California Distinguished Schools

The California Distinguished School Award, announced annually by the California Department of Education, recognizes outstanding schools for their excellence in academics, equity, and school climate. High schools that earn this distinction hold the title for two years, highlighting their sustained commitment to student success. In 2026, several charter high schools received this honor, showcasing their dedication to excellence and achievement.

High Schools (Grades 9-12)

• Alliance Dr. Olga Mohan High, Greater Los Angeles

• Alliance Judy Ivie Burton Technology Academy High, Greater Los Angeles

• Alliance Leichtman-Levine Family Foundation Environmental Science High, Greater Los Angeles

• Alliance Marc & Eva Stern Math and Science, Greater Los Angeles

• Alliance Margaret M. Bloomfield Technology Academy High, Greater Los Angeles

• Alliance Patti And Peter Neuwirth Leadership Academy, Greater Los Angeles

• Alliance Susan and Eric Smidt Technology High, Greater Los Angeles

• Alliance Ted K. Tajima High, Greater Los Angeles

• Animo Jackie Robinson High, Greater Los Angeles

• California School of the Arts, Greater Los Angeles

• CATCH Prep Charter High, Inc., Greater Los Angeles

• Central City Value, Greater Los Angeles

• City Honors International Preparatory High, Greater Los Angeles

• Connections Visual and Performing Arts Academy, Northern California

• Credo High, Northern California

• Da Vinci Science, Greater Los Angeles

• Ednovate – Esperanza College Prep, Greater Los Angeles

• Ednovate – USC Hybrid High College Prep, Greater Los Angeles

• Environmental Charter High, Greater Los Angeles

• Harmony Magnet Academy, Central Valley & Northern Central

• Hawthorne Math and Science Academy, Greater Los Angeles

• Health Careers Academy, Central Valley & Northern Central

• Helix High, Southern California

• High Tech High International, Southern California

• KIPP King Collegiate High, Bay Area

• Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts, Northern California

• Port of Los Angeles High, Greater Los Angeles

• Porterville Military Academy, Central Valley & Northern Central

• PUC Community Charter Early College High, Greater Los Angeles

• PUC Lakeview Charter High, Greater Los Angeles

• PUC Triumph Charter High, Greater Los Angeles

• Reedley Middle College High, Central Valley & Northern Central

• Stockton Early College Academy, Central Valley & Northern Central

• Summit Public School: Shasta, Bay Area

• Taft Charter High, Greater Los Angeles

• University High, Central Valley & Northern Central

• University Preparatory, Northern California

• University Preparatory High, Central Valley & Northern Central

• Valor Academy High, Greater Los Angeles

• Washington Middle College High, Northern California

• Western Sierra Collegiate Academy, Northern California

• WISH Academy High, Greater Los Angeles
  
  

Middle/High Schools (Grades 6-12 or K-12)

• Aspire Benjamin Holt College Preparatory Academy, Central Valley & Northern Central

• High Tech High Mesa, Southern California

• Inspire School of Arts and Sciences, Northern California

• Magnolia Science Academy 4, Greater Los Angeles

• Magnolia Science Academy 5, Greater Los Angeles

• Magnolia Science Academy 6, Greater Los Angeles

• Magnolia Science Academy San Diego, Southern California

• Millennium Charter, Central Valley & Northern Central

• Samueli Academy, Southern California

• School for Entrepreneurship and Technology, Southern California

• The Grove School, Southern California

• The Preuss School UC San Diego, Southern California

• University Preparatory Academy Charter, Bay Area

• Western Center Academy, Southern California

U.S. News & World Report

Each year, U.S. News & World Report publishes rankings of elementary, middle, and high schools across the country. Based on its state-by-state analysis, the list below highlights California’s top-ranked charter high schools for the current academic year.

• Ranked #7: University High School, Fresno

• Ranked #9: Pacific Collegiate Charter, Santa Cruz

• Ranked #16: Western Center Academy, Hemet

• Ranked #19: Preuss School UCSD, La Jolla

• Ranked #26: Western Sierra Collegiate Academy, Rocklin

• Ranked #28: University Preparatory Academy Charter, San Jose

• Ranked #33: Orange County School of the Arts, Santa Ana

• Ranked #40: Hawthorne Math & Science Academy

• Ranked #41: Lennox MST Academy, Inglewood

• Ranked #45: Stockton Early College Academy

• Ranked #52: AIMS College Prep, Oakland

• Ranked #69: Chula Vista Learning Community

• Ranked #73: Redwood Academy of Ukiah

• Ranked #74: KIPP King Collegiate, San Lorenzo

• Ranked #78: Stockton Collegiate International

• Ranked #80: Alliance Ted K. Tajima High, Los Angeles

• Ranked #85: Animo Inglewood Charter

• Ranked #90: KIPP San Jose Collegiate

• Ranked #98: Alliance Marc & Eva Stern Math and Science, Los Angeles

Niche

Niche is an online platform providing detailed profiles for every school and college in the U.S., along with over 140 million reviews and ratings. Based on Niche’s 2025 data and surveys, the following list shows the top-ranked charter high schools in California.

• Ranked #6 – Orange County School of the Arts, Santa Ana

• Ranked #7 – California School of the Arts - San Gabriel Valley, Duarte, CA

• Ranked #28 – Granada Hills Charter 

• Ranked #31 – Helix Charter High School, La Mesa

• Ranked #42 – Da Vinci Science, El Segundo

• Ranked #50 – University Preparatory Academy Charter School, San Jose

• Ranked #51 – The Preuss School UC San Diego, La Jolla

• Ranked #72 – High Tech Los Angeles, Lake Balboa

• Ranked #78 – Pacific Collegiate Charter School, Santa Cruz

• Ranked #86 – Escondido Charter High School

• Ranked #90 – Larchmont Charter School, Los Angeles

• Ranked #93 – Palisades Charter High School, Pacific Palisades
  
  

What is a Charter Public School?

California's charter schools are tuition-free, public, and open to all students. California charter public schools have rigorous curriculum programs and unique educational approaches. In exchange for operational freedom and flexibility, charter schools are subject to higher levels of accountability than traditional public schools. Charter schools offer high-quality education options to communities. Learn More >>