U.S News & World Report has released its list of the 2025 Best High Schools, ranking the best traditional and charter schools in the nation for students and parents looking to compare educational options.
Tallahassee metro area high schools fell below the top 1,000 rankings when measured against schools across the nation, but two were listed in the top 100 in the Florida market.
The high schools were ranked based on various indicators including college readiness, state assessment proficiency, testing performance and graduation rates.
Lawton Chiles High School earned the highest ranking against other Tallahassee schools as No. 67 in Florida rankings and No. 1,097 in national rankings. The school has received an A grade from the state over the last decade. It was also ranked No. 1 in Tallahassee area schools, and for the Leon County School district's high schools.
The high school has a 99% graduation rate, and a college readiness index of 51.9, which represents how many students take and pass college level exams in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses.
"Congratulations to Principal Joe Burgess, the amazing teachers and staff and all the high performing students at Lawton Chiles High School for this wonderful recognition and achievement," Leon Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna said. "Just another example of how things are alive and well in our traditional public schools."
Florida State University Schools
FSUS ranked at No. 2 for Tallahassee area high schools, No. 97 in Florida schools, and No. 1,423 nationally. It is also ranked No. 246 in charter high schools.
The university research school has a 99% graduation rate and a college readiness index of 44.
Leon High School
Leon High is ranked at No. 3 for Tallahassee schools, No. 147 for Florida schools and No. 2,248 nationally. It is also ranked No. 2 for the Leon County School district.
The high school has a graduation rate of 85% and a college readiness index of 45.6.
SAIL High School
SAIL is ranked at No. 4 for Tallahassee schools, No. 172 for Florida Schools and No. 2,949 nationally. It is also ranked No. 3 for the school district.
SAIL has a graduation rate of 93% and a college readiness index of 33.6.
Lincoln High School
Lincoln is ranked at No. 5 for Tallahassee schools, No. 184 for Florida schools and No. 3,158 nationally. It is also ranked No. 4 for the school district.
The school also has a graduation rate of 93% and a college readiness index of 44.4.
Rickards High School
Rickards is ranked at No. 6 for Tallahassee schools, No. 189 for Florida schools and No. 3,277 nationally. It is also ranked No. 5 for the school district.
The school has a graduation rate of 82% and a college readiness index of 51.7.
Wakulla High School
Wakulla High is ranked at No. 7 for Tallahassee metro area schools, No. 299 for Florida schools and No. 5,336 nationally.
The school has a graduation rate of 98% and a college readiness index of 21.3.
Crossroad Academy
Crossroad Academy is ranked at No. 8 for Tallahassee metro area schools, No. 316 for Florida schools and No. 5,814 nationally. The school located in Quincy also ranked No. 682 in charter high schools.
The school has a graduation rate of 91% and a college readiness index of 19.7.
Godby High School
Godby High is ranked at No. 10 for Tallahassee schools, No. 419 for Florida schools and No. 8,768 nationally. It is also ranked No. 7 for the school district.
The school has a graduation rate of 79% and a college readiness index of 19.4.
FAMU Developmental Research School
FAMU DRS is ranked at No. 11 in Tallahassee schools, No. 474 in Florida schools and No. 10,583 nationally.
A college readiness index wasn't calculated for the university research school, but it does have a graduation rate of 92%.
Gadsden County High School and Jefferson K-12
Gadsden High and Jefferson K-12 are both ranked between No. 12 and 13 in Tallahassee metro area schools, between No. 534 and 654 for Florida schools and between No. 13,427 and 17,901 nationally.
Gadsden High has a graduation rate of 76% and a college readiness index of 4.0.
A college readiness index was not calculated for Jefferson K-12, but the school has a graduation rate of 97%.
Alaijah Brown covers children & families for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter/X: @AlaijahBrown3.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: U.S. News Best High Schools list is out. How did Tallahassee rank?
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