GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — A high school in Greensboro was named the country’s best in the prestigious U.S. News & World Report for 2023-2024.
The Early College at Guilford, part of Guilford County Schools and affiliated with Guilford College, came in at #1 with a graduation rate of 100% and a college readiness score.
Headed by Principal Pete Kashubara, ECG has a writing-intensive curriculum with students taking honors and advanced placement courses in 9th and 10th grades and college courses in 11th and 12th grade. Graduates receive a high school diploma and up to two years of college credit from Guilford.
Greensboro was the only North Carolina city to have three high schools make it into the state top 10. ECG was joined by STEM Early College at N.C. A&T in Greensboro in #2 and Weaver Academy for Performing and Visual Arts and Advanced Technologies, listed by the U.S. News & World Report as the Phillip J. Weaver Ed Center, at #6. Raleigh had two schools make it onto the list.
In addition to ranking #2 in the state, STEM Early College at N.C. A&T, also part of Guilford County Schools and affiliated with North Carolina A&T State University, ranked #40 nationally.
North Carolina’s #3 was Onslow Early College in Jacksonville, part of Onslow County Schools and affiliated with Coastal Carolina Community College.
North Carolina Top 10
- The Early College at Guilford – Greensboro
- STEM Early College at N.C. A&T – Greensboro
- Onslow Early College – Jacksonville
- Wake NCSU Stem Early College High School – Raleigh
- Raleigh Charter School – Raleigh
- Phillip J. Weaver Ed Center – Greensboro
- Nesbitt Discovery Academy – Asheville
- Highland School of Technology – Gastonia
- Woods Charter – Chapel Hill
- Ardrey Kell High School – Charlotte
How are schools ranked?
The report compares close to 18,000 public high schools based on student outcomes, anticipated benchmarks and graduation rates.
U.S. News says that the schools ranked highest have demonstrated “exceptional scores on state assessments for math, reading and science,” as well as strong college readiness—meaning participation and performance on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams—and curriculum breadth. These schools also have high-performing underserved student populations, including students who are Black, Hispanic or from low-income households.
“Having access to a strong high school program is paramount for students as they face an ever-changing world,” says Liana Loewus, managing editor of education at U.S. News. “Making data on our high schools available helps parents ensure their child is in the educational environment that best sets them up to thrive.”
National Rankings
National Top 10
- The Early College at Guilford – North Carolina
- Signature School – Indiana
- School for Advanced Studies – Florida
- The Davidson Academy of Nevada – Nevada
- Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology – Virginia
- The School for the Talented and Gifted – Texas
- Tesla STEM High School – Washington
- Academic Magnet High School – South Carolina
- Oxford Academy – California
- Payton College Preparatory High School – Illinois
Top 5 Charter Schools
- Signature School Inc – Indiana
- BASIS Peoria – Arizona
- Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science – New Mexico
- BASIS Scottsdale – Arizona
- BASIS Oro Valley – Arizona
Top 5 Magnet High Schools
- Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology – Virginia
- The School for the Talented and Gifted – Texas
- Tesla STEM High School – Washington
- Academic Magnet High School – South Carolina
- International Academy of Macomb – Michigan
Top 5 STEM High Schools
- High Technology High School – New Jersey
- Basis Scottsdale – Arizona
- Academy for Mathematics Science and Engineering – New Jersey
- Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology – Virginia
- BASIS Chandler – Arizona
See the full rankings on USNews.com.
