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U.S. News & World Report released its list of the best high schools nationwide for 2026-2027, including those in the Columbia metro area.
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Using six categories, as well as looking at students’ math, reading and science proficiencies, the media group gives a score for every high school and ranks them from best to worst.
Here are the 10 top high schools in the Columbia area, according to U.S. News & World Report:
Columbia’s top 10 high schools
#1. Spring Hill High School
At the top of this list is Spring Hill High School. U.S. News & World Report ranked it the fifth-best high school in SC and the 711th-best high school in the nation.
The school’s graduation rate is 97%, and the current student enrollment is 1,118. The school received a score of 96.04, with the following student statistics:
- Mathematics proficiency: 66%
- Reading proficiency: 92%
- Science proficiency: 81%
#2. Chapin High School
Chapin High School’s graduation rate is 93%, and the current student enrollment is 1,617. The school received a score of 94.06, with the following student statistics:
- Mathematics proficiency: 55%
- Reading proficiency: 89%
- Science proficiency: 77%
#3. River Bluff High School
River Bluff High School’s graduation rate is 93%, and the current student enrollment is 2,117. The school received a score of 91.62, with the following student statistics:
- Mathematics proficiency: 50%
- Reading proficiency: 88%
- Science proficiency: 65%
#4. Dreher High School
Dreher High School’s graduation rate is 88%, and the current student enrollment is 1,144. The school received a score of 90.55, with the following student statistics:
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- Mathematics proficiency: 58%
- Reading proficiency: 69%
- Science proficiency: 50%
#5. Dutch Fork High School
Dutch Fork High School’s graduation rate is 89%, and the current student enrollment is 1,703. The school received a score of 90.14, with the following student statistics:
- Mathematics proficiency: 51%
- Reading proficiency: 82%
- Science proficiency: 64%
#6. A.C. Flora High School
A.C. Flora High School’s graduation rate is 84%, and the current student enrollment is 1,328. The school received a score of 86.68, with the following student statistics:
- Mathematics proficiency: 21%
- Reading proficiency: 75%
- Science proficiency: 56%
#7. Lexington High School
Lexington High School’s graduation rate is 91%, and the current student enrollment is 2,536. The school received a score of 84.56, with the following student statistics:
- Mathematics proficiency: 52%
- Reading proficiency: 88%
- Science proficiency: 61%
#8. Blythewood High School
Blythwood High School’s graduation rate is 93%, and the current student enrollment is 2,164. The school received a score of 82.43, with the following student statistics:
- Mathematics proficiency: 49%
- Reading proficiency: 78%
- Science proficiency: 56%
#9. Spring Valley High School
Spring Valley High School’s graduation rate is 91%, and the current student enrollment is 2,230. The school received a score of 79.76, with the following student statistics:
- Mathematics proficiency: 40%
- Reading proficiency: 76%
- Science proficiency: 50%
#10. Gray Collegiate Academy
Gray Collegiate Academy’s graduation rate is 100%, and the current student enrollment is 629. The school received a score of 69.98 with the following student statistics:
- Mathematics proficiency: 71%
- Reading proficiency: 94%
- Science proficiency: 85%
How does US News determine the best high schools?
U.S. News & World Report uses six categories to rank and score every high school in the country. The categories include college readiness, state assessment proficiency, state assessment performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth and graduation rate.
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