California is home to some of the nation’s highest-performing public schools, with charter schools earning recognition for academic achievement, student success, and school excellence. Trusted organizations including U.S. News & World Report, the California Department of Education, and Niche highlight top-performing schools through national and state rankings and awards.

From top charter high schools to schools recognized for academic performance and their unique approach to education, these rankings offer a look at the best charter schools across the state. Explore the schools earning top recognition and discover how charter public schools are helping students thrive.

Top-Ranked Charter Public High Schools
in 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 #6: University High School, Fresno

• Ranked #8: Pacific Collegiate Charter, Santa Cruz

• Ranked #13: Western Center Academy, Hemet

• Ranked #22: Chula Vista Learning Community Charter, Chula Vista

• Ranked #27: The Preuss School UC San Diego, La Jolla

• Ranked #32: Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA), Santa Ana

• Ranked #36: KIPP San Jose Collegiate, San Jose

• Ranked #40: Stockton Unified Early College Academy, Stockton

• Ranked #42: Western Sierra Collegiate Academy, Rocklin

• Ranked #50: University Preparatory Academy Charter, San Jose

• Ranked #51: Hawthorne Math and Science Academy, Hawthorne

• Ranked #55: Alliance Ted K. Tajima High School, Los Angeles

• Ranked #57: Alliance Marc and Eva Stern Math and Science, Los Angeles

• Ranked #59: Ánimo Leadership High School, Inglewood

• Ranked #60: Ánimo Inglewood Charter High School, Inglewood

• Ranked #65: Lennox Mathematics, Science and Technology Academy, Lennox

• Ranked #72: Temecula Preparatory, Winchester

• Ranked #94: KIPP King Collegiate High School, San Lorenzo

• Ranked #95: Alliance Patti and Peter Neuwirth Leadership Academy, Los Angeles

• Ranked #98: Alliance Gertz-Ressler Richard Merkin 6-12 Complex, Los Angeles

• Ranked #100: Environmental Charter High School, Lawndale

California Distinguished Schools

The California Distinguished School Award, presented by the California Department of Education, recognizes outstanding schools for their achievements in academics, equity, and school climate. Schools that earn this distinction hold the title for two years, highlighting their sustained commitment to student success. In 2026, several charter public high schools are among those recognized with this prestigious honor, showcasing their dedication to academic 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
  
  

Niche

Niche offers school profiles, reviews, and ratings based on academics, culture, student life, and other factors. Using Niche’s 2025 rankings and data, we’ve highlighted the top charter high schools in California recognized for their overall performance and school experience.

• 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