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Houston public high schools earned prominent positions in the new 2026-27 U.S. News & World Report rankings. Carnegie Vanguard High School led the region and reached No. 25 among public high schools nationwide.
The Houston Independent School District also secured six of the first eight places in the Houston-area rankings. The results highlight the strong performance of the district’s specialized magnet and early college campuses.
Carnegie Vanguard Leads Houston Public High Schools
Carnegie Vanguard ranked first in the Houston metropolitan area. The HISD magnet school also placed among the nation’s top 25 public high schools.
The latest result represents a significant national gain. Carnegie Vanguard ranked No. 42 in the 2025-26 edition. It has remained one of Houston’s highest-rated campuses for more than a decade.
Located near downtown Houston, Carnegie Vanguard serves students identified as gifted and talented. Its academic program includes Advanced Placement courses across core subjects. Students must complete at least 10 AP courses and an independent research project.
The school reports a 100% on-time graduation rate, according to its official campus profile. Carnegie Vanguard has also received recognition from the Texas Education Agency and Magnet Schools of America.
Six HISD Campuses Place in the Top Eight
HISD campuses occupied six of the eight highest positions in the Houston metro ranking. Along with Carnegie Vanguard, the group included several of the district’s selective and specialized schools:
- DeBakey High School for Health Professions
- Challenge Early College High School
- Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts
- Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy
- Eastwood Academy
The strong showing continues a familiar pattern for HISD. In the previous U.S. News ranking, the district claimed the first six positions in the Houston area.
DeBakey offers a college-preparatory program focused on health sciences. Its location near the Texas Medical Center provides students with access to specialized learning opportunities.
Challenge Early College allows students to earn high school and college credit. Kinder HSPVA combines traditional academics with intensive training in music, theater, dance, visual arts and creative writing.
Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy emphasizes leadership and college preparation. Eastwood Academy offers a small-school environment with advanced academic options.
Kerr High School in Alief ISD and Harmony School of Innovation in Katy were the two non-HISD campuses among the region’s top eight.
How U.S. News Evaluates High Schools
U.S. News & World Report evaluates nearly 24,000 eligible public high schools. The publication ranks close to 18,000 campuses at the national, state and metropolitan levels.
The rankings use six measures of school performance. Those factors include college readiness, college curriculum breadth and graduation rates. State assessment results and outcomes for underserved students also affect each school’s score.
College readiness receives the greatest weight. That measure examines participation and performance in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs.
However, rankings represent only one source of information for families. Academic programs, admissions requirements, transportation and student support can also influence a school choice.
Houston families can review individual campus profiles and application requirements through their school district. Many of the region’s highest-ranked campuses require a separate magnet or school-choice application.
The new rankings give Houston schools national visibility as the academic year begins. They also offer families another tool for comparing public education options across the region.