Top 10 Public High Schools in Oregon

Direct Answer

The Best Overall public high school in Oregon is the International School of Beaverton (ISB), a tuition-free IB magnet in the Beaverton School District whose students post a near-100% graduation rate and where the full International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is the core curriculum rather than an add-on.

The Best Value pick is South Eugene High School in Eugene, a comprehensive neighborhood school that pairs an International High School language-immersion track and deep AP catalog with zero tuition, delivering outsized college outcomes for a standard public campus. This list is built for Oregon families and students weighing magnet, immersion, and strong comprehensive options from Portland's west side through the Willamette Valley to Bend, Ashland, and Eugene.

Every pick below uses real, publicly reported data from the Oregon Department of Education, U.S. News, Niche, and individual district sites.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each school against what Oregon families consistently say matters when they choose a public high school, leaning on published figures from the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), U.S. News Best High Schools, Niche, GreatSchools, NCES, and College Board. The weighting:

• Academic performance (state tests, proficiency) — 25%
• College and post-grad outcomes — 20%
• Value and cost (free public access, program-per-dollar) — 15%
• Teachers and resources — 15%
• Environment and safety — 15%
• Extracurriculars and program fit — 10%

A school that posts strong test scores but offers thin programs, or one with great clubs but weak proficiency, drops fast. The winners balance all six across very different communities.

1. International School of Beaverton 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Type: Public Magnet | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Students who want a full IB diploma and a global, language-rich academic core

The International School of Beaverton, an option magnet within the Beaverton School District in Washington County, is built entirely around the International Baccalaureate framework, running the Middle Years Programme in grades 6–10 and the IB Diploma Programme in grades 11–12.

Enrollment sits near 1,000 students across grades 6–12, and the school regularly reports a graduation rate at or near 99–100%. Admission is by lottery, so the campus draws motivated families from across the district. Students study a second language for all six years, and the school's AP and IB exam pass rates rank among the highest in Oregon.

Graduates routinely matriculate to the University of Oregon, Oregon State, the University of Washington, and selective out-of-state and private universities. The student-teacher ratio runs about 20:1, typical for Oregon, but the focused IB mission concentrates resources tightly.

Pros:

• Full IB Diploma Programme as the core, not an elective add-on
• Near-100% graduation rate year after year
• Six years of required second-language study
• Tuition-free lottery access to a globally benchmarked curriculum

Cons:

• Lottery admission means no guaranteed seat
• Smaller athletics program than big comprehensive schools

Verdict: The most complete public academic experience in the state — a free, lottery-access IB magnet that consistently tops Oregon's outcome metrics.

2. Lincoln High School (Portland)

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Portland families wanting a high-performing, AP-rich comprehensive school downtown

Lincoln High School in Portland Public Schools serves roughly 1,800 students from a modern downtown campus rebuilt in 2022. Lincoln posts one of the highest graduation rates in PPS, above 90%, and offers a broad AP catalog spanning more than 20 courses. State assessment proficiency in English and math sits well above the Oregon average, and the school sends a large share of graduates to the University of Oregon, Oregon State, and competitive private and out-of-state universities.

Its Constitution Team, debate, and music programs are statewide standouts, and the new facility added science labs and athletics space. The student body is academically driven, with strong parent involvement.

Pros:

• 20-plus AP courses on a brand-new downtown campus
• Graduation rate above 90% with strong state-test proficiency
• Nationally competitive Constitution Team and debate
• Deep arts, music, and athletics offerings

Cons:

• Large enrollment can feel impersonal for some students
• Downtown attendance boundary brings high housing costs

Verdict: Portland's flagship academic comprehensive — broad, rigorous, and newly rebuilt.

3. Lake Oswego High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Suburban families wanting top test scores and strong college placement

Lake Oswego High School, in the affluent Lake Oswego School District in Clackamas County, enrolls about 1,300 students and is one of Oregon's highest-scoring public schools. State assessment proficiency rates routinely exceed 80–90% in English, and the graduation rate sits near 95%.

The school offers a strong AP slate and supports a culture of high college expectations, with graduates heading to the University of Oregon, Oregon State, the University of Washington, and selective nationals. Athletics and arts are well funded thanks to a supportive community tax base, and the student-teacher ratio of roughly 20:1 comes with deep counseling resources.

Pros:

• State-test proficiency among the highest in Oregon
• Graduation rate near 95% with strong college placement
• Well-funded athletics, arts, and counseling
• Robust AP course catalog

Cons:

• High-cost attendance boundary limits access
• Competitive culture is intense for some students

Verdict: A consistently top-scoring suburban school for families inside its boundary.

4. West Linn High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families wanting strong academics paired with powerhouse athletics

West Linn High School, in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District, serves roughly 1,900 students in Clackamas County and blends strong academics with one of Oregon's most successful athletic programs. The graduation rate runs around 95%, state-test proficiency sits well above the Oregon average, and the school offers a wide AP catalog.

West Linn is known statewide for multiple team state championships while still sending graduates to the University of Oregon, Oregon State, and selective universities. The district's strong funding supports modern facilities, deep elective offerings, and a roughly 22:1 student-teacher ratio.

Pros:

• Graduation rate near 95% with above-average proficiency
• Statewide athletic powerhouse with championship history
• Broad AP and elective catalog
• Modern facilities backed by strong district funding

Cons:

• Large enrollment and athletic spotlight can overshadow academics for some
• Suburban housing costs gate access

Verdict: A rare combination of strong academics and elite athletics in one tuition-free school.

5. Sunset High School (Beaverton)

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: West-side families wanting a large comprehensive school with deep AP and STEM options

Sunset High School, a comprehensive campus in the Beaverton School District, enrolls about 2,200 students, making it one of the larger high schools on this list. Sunset posts a graduation rate above 90% and offers an extensive AP catalog plus strong STEM and engineering pathways.

State-assessment proficiency lands above the Oregon average, and the school's size supports a wide range of clubs, music ensembles, and athletics. Graduates regularly enroll at Oregon State, the University of Oregon, the University of Washington, and engineering-focused universities.

The scale gives students choice, with a student-teacher ratio near 21:1.

Pros:

• Extensive AP catalog with strong STEM and engineering pathways
• Graduation rate above 90%
• Wide breadth of clubs, arts, and athletics from large enrollment
• Strong feeder to Oregon State and University of Washington engineering

Cons:

• Very large size is not for every student
• Outcomes vary more widely than at smaller magnets

Verdict: A big west-side comprehensive that rewards students who want maximum course and activity choice.

6. Ashland High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families in southern Oregon wanting arts-rich academics in a small city

Ashland High School, in the Ashland School District in Jackson County, enrolls about 1,100 students and benefits from a community deeply tied to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, giving its theater and arts programs unusual depth. The school posts a graduation rate near 90% and state-test proficiency above the Oregon average, with a solid AP catalog and an established International Baccalaureate-style emphasis on writing and humanities.

Graduates head to the University of Oregon, Southern Oregon University, Oregon State, and selective liberal-arts colleges. Small-city scale keeps a student-teacher ratio near 18–20:1 and a tight community feel.

Pros:

• Exceptional theater and arts tied to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival
• Graduation rate near 90% with above-average proficiency
• Strong humanities and writing emphasis
• Tight-knit small-city community

Cons:

• Smaller AP catalog than large suburban schools
• Limited STEM specialization compared with Portland-area peers

Verdict: The standout pick for southern Oregon families who prize arts and humanities.

7. Tualatin High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families wanting a well-rounded suburban comprehensive with strong CTE pathways

Tualatin High School, in the Tigard-Tualatin School District in Washington County, serves about 1,800 students and offers a balanced comprehensive program. The graduation rate runs above 90%, and the school pairs a solid AP catalog with strong Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways in business, engineering, and health sciences.

State-test proficiency lands near or above the Oregon average, and graduates enroll at the University of Oregon, Oregon State, Portland State, and regional universities. The school's well-developed athletics and music programs round out a practical, well-rounded experience with a student-teacher ratio around 21:1.

Pros:

• Strong CTE pathways in engineering, business, and health sciences
• Graduation rate above 90%
• Balanced AP, arts, and athletics offerings
• Practical college-and-career preparation

Cons:

• Proficiency trails the top suburban scorers
• Fewer advanced specialty courses than magnet options

Verdict: A practical, well-rounded suburban school strong on both college and career pathways.

8. Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School (Portland)

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Southwest Portland families wanting strong academics and renowned music

Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School (formerly Wilson) in Portland Public Schools serves roughly 1,400 students in southwest Portland. The school posts a graduation rate above 90% and offers a broad AP catalog, with state-test proficiency above the Oregon average.

It is best known statewide for its nationally recognized choir and music programs, alongside strong athletics and a diverse, engaged student body. Graduates regularly enroll at the University of Oregon, Oregon State, and selective private and out-of-state universities. A recent campus modernization added updated science and arts facilities, and the student-teacher ratio runs near 20:1.

Pros:

• Nationally recognized choir and music programs
• Graduation rate above 90% with above-average proficiency
• Broad AP catalog and modernized facilities
• Diverse, engaged southwest Portland community

Cons:

• Smaller than some comprehensive peers
• AP breadth trails the largest suburban schools

Verdict: A strong southwest Portland comprehensive with statewide-caliber music.

9. South Eugene High School 💎 BEST VALUE

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Eugene families wanting immersion, deep AP, and strong outcomes at no cost

South Eugene High School, in the Eugene School District 4J in Lane County, enrolls about 1,500 students and delivers magnet-caliber programming as a standard comprehensive school — the reason it earns Best Value. It houses the International High School (IHS), a four-language immersion academy (Spanish, French, Japanese, and Chinese) woven through core academics, plus a deep AP catalog.

The graduation rate sits near 90%, state-test proficiency runs above the Oregon average, and graduates flow heavily to the University of Oregon next door as well as Oregon State and selective nationals. Families get immersion and rigor without tuition or a lottery for the comprehensive track, making the outcomes-per-dollar exceptional.

Pros:

• International High School four-language immersion academy on a free public campus
• Deep AP catalog with above-average proficiency
• Strong pipeline to the adjacent University of Oregon
• Magnet-level programming with no tuition

Cons:

• IHS immersion strand is competitive to enter
• Comprehensive scale means outcomes vary by track

Verdict: The clearest value on the list — immersion and AP depth that rival a magnet, at zero cost.

10. Summit High School (Bend)

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Central Oregon families wanting strong academics and an active outdoor culture

Summit High School, in the Bend-La Pine School District in Deschutes County, serves about 1,500 students and is the top-scoring public school in fast-growing central Oregon. The graduation rate runs above 90%, state-test proficiency lands above the Oregon average, and the school offers a solid AP catalog alongside strong athletics and an outdoor-recreation culture that reflects Bend.

Graduates head to Oregon State, the University of Oregon, and regional and out-of-state universities. Rapid enrollment growth in Bend has kept facilities modern, with a student-teacher ratio near 22:1.

Pros:

• Top-performing public school in central Oregon
• Graduation rate above 90% with above-average proficiency
• Strong athletics and outdoor-recreation culture
• Modern facilities in a fast-growing district

Cons:

• Rapid growth pressures class sizes
• AP catalog trails the largest Portland-area schools

Verdict: Central Oregon's strongest public option for families who want academics plus an active outdoor lifestyle.

Which One's Right for You?

What to Look For When Choosing a High School

• State-test proficiency and graduation rate — Check Oregon Department of Education report cards for English and math proficiency and the four-year graduation rate, not just reputation.
• AP and IB depth — Count the actual number of AP courses or whether a true IB Diploma Programme is offered; breadth signals real academic options.
• Special programs and immersion — Language-immersion academies like South Eugene's IHS or ISB's IB core can transform outcomes for the right student.
• College and career pathways — Look for both college matriculation data and strong CTE programs so the school fits college-bound and career-bound students alike.
• Teachers, counseling, and resources — Student-teacher ratios in Oregon hover near 20:1, so counseling depth and program funding matter more than raw class size.
• Fit, safety, and community — Visit campuses; environment, safety, and extracurricular fit shape four years as much as test scores do.

What matters less than marketing implies: glossy facility photos, a single championship banner, or a school's overall enrollment number. A new building does not guarantee strong proficiency, and a big athletic reputation does not replace AP depth or graduation rate.

FAQ

Which is the best public high school in Oregon? The International School of Beaverton earns our top spot as a tuition-free IB magnet with a near-100% graduation rate and the full International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme as its academic core.

What is the best-value public high school in Oregon? South Eugene High School is the value leader — its International High School four-language immersion academy and deep AP catalog deliver magnet-level programming on a standard free public campus.

Which Oregon public schools have the strongest test scores? Lake Oswego, Lincoln (Portland), and West Linn consistently post state-assessment proficiency well above the Oregon average, with Lake Oswego often the highest among large comprehensive schools.

Are these Oregon high schools free to attend? Yes. Every school on this list is a tuition-free public school. Magnet options like ISB use lottery admission, and immersion strands like South Eugene's IHS can be competitive to enter, but none charge tuition.

Which Oregon high school is best for the arts? Ashland High School stands out for arts, with theater and performance programs tied to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, while Ida B. Wells-Barnett in Portland is renowned for its choir and music.

Which Oregon high school is best outside the Portland metro? South Eugene leads the Willamette Valley with immersion and AP depth, Summit is the strongest public school in Bend and central Oregon, and Ashland anchors the south.

Bottom Line

For Oregon families, the International School of Beaverton is our Best Overall public high school — a tuition-free IB magnet with a near-perfect graduation rate and a globally benchmarked curriculum. South Eugene High School is our Best Value, delivering four-language immersion and deep AP options on a standard free campus.

If your priorities lean toward Portland comprehensives, top suburban test scores, southern-Oregon arts, or central-Oregon outdoor culture, use the decision tree above to route to Lincoln, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Ashland, or Summit instead. Choose on proficiency, graduation rate, and program fit — not on a single banner or a new building — and your student will thrive.

Sources

• U.S. News — Best High Schools in Oregon
• Niche — Best Public High Schools in Oregon
• GreatSchools — Oregon school ratings
• Oregon Department of Education — School and District Report Cards
• NCES — National Center for Education Statistics school search
• College Board — AP program information
• Beaverton School District — International School of Beaverton
• Portland Public Schools — Lincoln and Ida B. Wells-Barnett
• Eugene School District 4J — South Eugene High School
• Bend-La Pine Schools — Summit High School

*Public high schools in Oregon review — best high schools Oregon, rankings, ratings, review 2027, and a review of the top public school picks for families.*