Charter schools are public schools that have been released from some of the regulations governing other public schools as long as they succeed in meeting the criteria agreed upon in their original charter. Charter schools tend to have limited enrollment and usually accept students through an application process. The following are the nation's top charter schools, according to the America's Best High Schools analysis.
| Overall Rank | School Name and Location | College Readiness Index | Quality-Adjusted Exams Per Test Taker |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Pacific Collegiate SchoolSanta Cruz, CA | 100.0 | 100.0 |
| 9 | BASIS TucsonTucson, AZ | 100.0 | 100.0 |
| 13 | IDEA Academy and College PrepatoryDonna, TX | 97.7 | 97.7 |
| 16 | KIPP Houston High SchoolHouston, TX | 95.7 | 95.7 |
| 23 | Animo Leadership Charter High SchoolInglewood, CA | 91.6 | 91.6 |
| 24 | Raleigh Charter High SchoolRaleigh, NC | 91.2 | 91.2 |
| 25 | Lennox Mathematics, Science and Technology AcademyLennox, CA | 90.5 | 90.5 |
| 27 | Benjamin Franklin High SchoolNew Orleans, LA | 89.8 | 89.8 |
| 32 | The Preuss School UCSDLa Jolla, CA | 86.2 | 86.2 |
| 49 | The Charter School of WilmingtonWilmington, DE | 77.0 | 77.0 |
| 53 | Signature SchoolEvansville, IN | 76.4 | 76.4 |
| 54 | Hawthorne Math and Science AcademyHawthorne, CA | 76.3 | 76.3 |
| 68 | YES Prep SoutheastHouston, TX | 70.9 | 70.9 |
| 76 | Peak to Peak Charter SchoolLafayette, CO | 68.8 | 68.8 |
| 79 | Coeur d'Alene Charter AcademyCoeur d'Alene, ID | 68.0 | 68.0 |
| 91 | Fort Worth Academy of Fine ArtsFort Worth, TX | 65.0 | 65.0 |