​Top 100 High Schools In CT: New U.S. News 2020 Rankings​

CONNECTICUT — Will school come back in full, non-virtual, session before September? That's the conversation starter across many Connecticut kitchen tables as the new coronavirus keeps classrooms clear. But all that uncertainty hasn't prevented U.S. News & World Report has from publishing its yearly rankings of the best high schools.

"The Best High Schools rankings provide the most comprehensive, data-based information on nearly every public high school in the country," Anita Narayan, managing editor of Education at U.S. News, said in a news release. "Families can use this information to see how their local schools compare on graduation rates and state assessments, as well as academic performance by students who are traditionally underserved — those who are black, Hispanic or from low-income households."

No Connecticut high school made it into the top 100 nationwide, but here are the top 100 schools in the state, along with their national ranking (in parentheses), as determined by U.S. News:

1. Connecticut IB Academy, in East Hartford, is ranked first within Connecticut. Students have the opportunity to take International Baccalaureate coursework and exams. The IB participation rate at Connecticut IB Academy is 100 percent. The total minority enrollment is 71 percent, and 39 percent of students are economically disadvantaged. Connecticut IB Academy is 1 of 3 high schools in the East Hartford School District. (#158 nationally)
   1. Total Enrollment: 187
   2. Full-Time Teachers: 15
   3. Graduation Rate: 100 percent
2. Weston High School is ranked second within Connecticut. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The AP® participation rate at Weston High School is 82 percent. The total minority enrollment is 14 percent, and 3 percent of students are economically disadvantaged. Weston High School is the only high school in the Weston School District. (#202)
   1. Total Enrollment: 808
   2. Full-Time Teachers: 72
   3. Graduation Rate: 99 percent
3. Darien High School is ranked third within Connecticut. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at Darien High School is 71 percent. The total minority enrollment is 12 percent, and two percent of students are economically disadvantaged. Darien High School is the only high school in the Darien School District. (#214)
   1. Total Enrollment: 1,377
   2. Full-Time Teachers: 128
   3. Graduation Rate: 97 percent
4. Staples High School, in Westport, is ranked fourth within Connecticut. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at Staples High School is 66 percent. The total minority enrollment is 15 percent, and 4 percent of students are economically disadvantaged. Staples High School is the only high school in the Westport School District. (#279)
   1. Total Enrollment: 1,888
   2. Full-Time Teachers: 165
   3. Graduation Rate: 99 percent
5. New Canaan High School is ranked fifth within Connecticut. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at New Canaan High School is 71 percent. The total minority enrollment is 14 percent, and 0 percent of students are economically disadvantaged. New Canaan High School is the only high school in the New Canaan School District. (#282)
   1. Total Enrollment: 1,319
   2. Full-Time Teachers: 109
   3. Graduation Rate: 99 percent
6. Simsbury High School is ranked sixth within Connecticut. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at Simsbury High School is 73 percent. The total minority enrollment is 20 percent, and 9 percent of students are economically disadvantaged. Simsbury High School is the only high school in the Simsbury School District. (#326)
   1. Total Enrollment: 1,380
   2. Full-Time Teachers: 112
   3. Graduation Rate: 99 percent
7. Greenwich High School is ranked seventh within Connecticut. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at Greenwich High School is 62 percent. The total minority enrollment is 34 percent, and 15 percent of students are economically disadvantaged. Greenwich High School is the only high school in the Greenwich School District. (#427)
   1. Total Enrollment: 2,654
   2. Full-Time Teachers: 223
   3. Graduation Rate: 97 percent
8. Hall High School, in West Hartford, is ranked eighth within Connecticut. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at Hall High School is 74 percent. The total minority enrollment is 39 percent, and 16 percent of students are economically disadvantaged. Hall High School is 1 of 2 high schools in the West Hartford School District. (#457)
   1. Total Enrollment: 1,490
   2. Full-Time Teachers: 110
   3. Graduation Rate: 98 percent
9. Ridgefield High School is ranked ninth within Connecticut. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at Ridgefield High School is 63 percent. The total minority enrollment is 16 percent, and 1 percent of students are economically disadvantaged. Ridgefield High School is the only high school in the Ridgefield School District. (#516)
   1. Total Enrollment: 1,658
   2. Full-Time Teachers: 136
   3. Graduation Rate: 98 percent
10. Marine Science Magnet High School of Southeastern, in Groton, is ranked 10th within Connecticut. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at Marine Science Magnet High School of Southeastern is 79 percent. The total minority enrollment is 28 percent, and 17 percent of students are economically disadvantaged. Marine Science Magnet High School of Southeastern is 1 of 3 high schools in the Learn. (#532)
    1. Total Enrollment: 271
    2. Full-Time Teachers: 24
    3. Graduation Rate: 100 percent
11. Wilton High School is ranked 11th within Connecticut. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at Wilton High School is 60 percent. The total minority enrollment is 15 percent, and 3 percent of students are economically disadvantaged. Wilton High School is the only high school in the Wilton School District. (#537)
    1. Total Enrollment: 1,330
    2. Full-Time Teachers: 106
    3. Graduation Rate: 99 percent
12. Farmington High School is ranked 12th within Connecticut. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at Farmington High School is 71 percent. The total minority enrollment is 32 percent, and 11 percent of students are economically disadvantaged. Farmington High School is the only high school in the Farmington School District. (#556)
    1. Total Enrollment: 1,196
    2. Full-Time Teachers: 110
    3. Graduation Rate: 98 percent
13. Conard High School, in West Hartford, is ranked 13th within Connecticut. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at Conard High School is 78 percent. The total minority enrollment is 46 percent, and 24 percent of students are economically disadvantaged. Conard High School is 1 of 2 high schools in the West Hartford School District. (#642)
    1. Total Enrollment: 1,462
    2. Full-Time Teachers: 116
    3. Graduation Rate: 98 percent
14. Avon High School is ranked 14th within Connecticut. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at Avon High School is 61 percent. The total minority enrollment is 28 percent, and 5 percent of students are economically disadvantaged. Avon High School is the only high school in the Avon School District. (#647)
    1. Total Enrollment: 1,011
    2. Full-Time Teachers: 84
    3. Graduation Rate: 98 percent
15. Joel Barlow High School, in Redding, is ranked 15th within Connecticut. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at Joel Barlow High School is 64 percent. The total minority enrollment is 15 percent, and 3 percent of students are economically disadvantaged. Joel Barlow High School is the only high school in the Regional School District 09. (#696)
    1. Total Enrollment: 893
    2. Full-Time Teachers: 71
    3. Graduation Rate: 97 percent
16. Canton High School is ranked 16th within Connecticut. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at Canton High School is 67 percent. The total minority enrollment is 16 percent, and 12 percent of students are economically disadvantaged. Canton High School is the only high school in the Canton School District. (#726)
    1. Total Enrollment: 498
    2. Full-Time Teachers: 38
    3. Graduation Rate: 96 percent
17. Lyme-Old Lyme High School is ranked 17th within Connecticut. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at Lyme-Old Lyme High School is 70 percent. The total minority enrollment is 9 percent, and 6 percent of students are economically disadvantaged. Lyme-Old Lyme High School is the only high school in the Regional School District 18. (#754)
    1. Total Enrollment: 473
    2. Full-Time Teachers: 46
    3. Graduation Rate: 97 percent
18. Fairfield Ludlowe High School is ranked 18th within Connecticut. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at Fairfield Ludlowe High School is 53 percent. The total minority enrollment is 17 percent, and 7 percent of students are economically disadvantaged. Fairfield Ludlowe High School is 1 of 2 high schools in the Fairfield School District. (#883)
    1. Total Enrollment: 1,510
    2. Full-Time Teachers: 134
    3. Graduation Rate: 98 percent
19. Academy of Aerospace and Engineering, in Windsro, is ranked 19th within Connecticut. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at Academy of Aerospace and Engineering is 69 percent. The total minority enrollment is 76 percent, and 46 percent of students are economically disadvantaged. Academy of Aerospace and Engineering is 1 of 5 high schools in the Capitol Region Education Coun. (#900)
    1. Total Enrollment: 426
    2. Full-Time Teachers: 67
    3. Graduation Rate: 94 percent
20. Amity Regional High School, in Woodbridge, is ranked 20th within Connecticut. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at Amity Regional High School is 57 percent. The total minority enrollment is 23 percent, and 5 percent of students are economically disadvantaged. Amity Regional High School is the only high school in the Regional School District 05. (#1,016)
21. Guilford High School, Guilford, Guilford School District (#1,092)
22. Old Saybrook Senior High School, Old Saybrook, Old Saybrook School District (#1,126)
23. Newtown High School, Sandy Hook, Newtown School District (#1,195)
24. Engineering - Science University Magnet School, West Haven, New Haven School District (#1,195)
25. Daniel Hand High School, Madison, Madison School District (#1,213)
26. East Granby High School, East Granby, East Granby School District (#1,273)
27. Rham High School, Hebron, Regional School District 08 (#1,274)
28. Granby Memorial High School, Granby, Granby School District (#1,387)
29. Glastonbury High School, Glastonbury, Glastonbury School District (#1,387)
30. Pomperaug Regional High School, Southbury, Regional School District 15 (#1,486)
31. Brookfield High School, Brookfield, Brookfield School District (#1,519)
32. Lewis S. Mills High School, Burlington, Regional School District 10 (#1,530)
33. Suffield High School, West Suffield, Suffield School District (#1,550)
34. Masuk High School, Monroe, Monroe School District (#1,552)
35. Cheshire High School, Cheshire, Cheshire School District (#1,585)
36. Joseph A. Foran High School, Milford, Milford School District (#1,590)
37. The Academy of Information Technology, Stamford, Stamford School District (#1,591)
38. Fairfield Warde High School, Fairfield, Fairfield School District (#1,683 )
39. Trumbull High School, Trumbull, Trumbull School District (#1,710)
40. New Fairfield High School, New Fairfield, New Fairfield School District (#1,790)
41. East Lyme High School, East Lyme, East Lyme School District (#1,814)
42. Haddam-Killingworth High School, Higganum, Regional School District 17 (#1,971 )
43. Litchfield High School, Litchfield, Litchfield School District (#2,006)
44. South Windsor High School, South Windsor, South Windsor School District (#2,061)
45. Jonathan Law High School Milford, Milford School District (#2,164)
46. Coventry High School, Coventry, Coventry School District (#2,170)
47. Northwestern Regional High School, Winsted, Regional School District 07 (#2,224)
48. Valley Regional High School, Deep River, Regional School District 04 (#2,322)
49. Metropolitan Learning Center, Bloomfield, Capitol Region Education Council (#2,433)
50. Coginchaug Regional High School, Durham, Regional School District 13 (#2,447)
51. Bolton High School, Bolton, Bolton School District (#2,557)
52. New Milford High School, New Milford, New Milford School District (#2,571)
53. Bethel High School, Bethel, Bethel School District (#2,602)
54. Portland High School, Portland, Portland School District (#2,680)
55. Stonington High School, Pawcatuck, Stonington School District (2,680)
56. Newington High School, Newington, Newington School District (#2,706)
57. Shepaug Valley School, Washington, Regional School District 12 (#2,734)
58. Nonnewaug High School, Woodbury, Regional School District 14 (#2,746)
59. East Hampton High School, East Hampton, East Hampton School District (#2,876)
60. Berlin High School, Berlin, Berlin School District (#2,892)
61. Tolland High School, Tolland, Tolland School District (#2,979)
62. Southington High School, Southington, Southington School District (#2,993)
63. Thomaston High School, Thomaston, Thomaston School District (#3,039)
64. Shelton High School, Shelton, Shelton School District (#3,056)
65. Common Ground High School, New Haven, Common Ground High School District (#3,063)
66. Sci and Tech Magnet of Southeast CT, New London, New London School District (#3,186)
67. Ellington High School, Ellington, Ellington School District (#3,224)
68. Seymour High School, Seymour, Seymour School District (#3,256)
69. Fitch Senior High School, Groton, Groton School District (#3,258)
70. Waterford High School, Waterford, Waterford School District (#3,326)
71. Oxford High School, Oxford, Oxford School District (#3,547)
72. Westhill High School, Stamford, Stamford School District (#3,603)
73. E. O. Smith High School, Storrs, Regional School District 19 (#3,644)
74. Montville High School, Oakdale, Montville School District (#3,704)
75. University High School of Science and Engineering, Hartford, Hartford School District (#3,856)
76. Bacon Academy, Colchester, Colchester School District (#3,873)
77. Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy, Hartford, Hartford School District (#3,873)
78. Rocky Hill High School, Rocky Hill, Rocky Hill School District (#3,923)
79. Woodland Regional High School, Beacon Falls, Regional School District 16 (#3,938)
80. Woodstock Academy, Woodstock, Woodstock Academy (#4,024)
81. The Morgan School, Clinton, Clinton School District (#4,088)
82. North Haven High School, North Haven, North Haven School District (#4,231)
83. Brien McMahon High School, Norwalk, Norwalk School District (#4,434)
84. Cromwell High School, Cromwell, Cromwell School District (#4,535)
85. Westbrook High School, Westbrook, Westbrook School District (#4,627)
86. Parish Hill High School, Chaplin, Regional School District 11 (#4,657)
87. Ledyard High School, Ledyard, Ledyard School District (#4,696)
88. Norwalk High School, Norwalk, Norwalk School District (#4,887)
89. Wamogo Regional High School, Litchfield, Regional School District 06 (#4,891)
90. Somers High School, Somers, Somers School District (#5,018)
91. Wheeler High School, North Stonington, North Stonington School District (#5,068)
92. Middletown High School, Middletown, Middletown School District (#5,102)
93. Danbury High School, Danbury, Danbury School District (#5,141)
94. Lyman Hall High School, Wallingford, Wallingford School District (#5,177)
95. Windsor Locks High School, Windsor Locks, Windsor Locks School District (#5,254)
96. Bristol Eastern High School, Bristol, Bristol School District (#5,285)
97. Stamford High School, Stamford, Stamford School District (#5,479)
98. Wethersfield High School, Wethersfield, Wethersfield School District (#5,553)
99. The Gilbert School, Winsted, The Gilbert School (#5,584)
100. Lyman Memorial High School, Lebanon, Lebanon School District (#5,598)

U.S. News used a number of weighted criteria to come up with the rankings, the most important being college readiness. You can see the full methodology here.

2020 Best High Schools National Rankings:
1. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (VA)
2. Academic Magnet High School (SC)
3. Merrol Hyde Magnet School (TN)
4. School for Advanced Studies (FL)
5. Townsend Harris High School (NY)
6. The School for the Talented and Gifted (TX)
7. BASIS Chandler (AZ)
8. Haas Hall Academy Bentonville (AR)
9. Payton College Preparatory High School (IL)
10. Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School (TX)