Top 10 Public High Schools in Las Vegas in 2027

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each school against what families tell guidance offices they care about, drawing on U.S. News, Niche, GreatSchools, the Nevada Department of Education (NDE), and the College Board. The weighting:

• Academic performance (test scores, AP/IB) - 25%
• College and post-grad outcomes - 20%
• Value and cost - 15%
• Teachers and resources - 15%
• Environment and safety - 15%
• Extracurriculars and fit - 10%

A school with elite scores but few graduates, or strong reputation with thin programs, drops fast. The winners balance all six.

1Advanced Technologies Academy (A-TECH) 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Type: Public Magnet | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Students seeking the valley's top CTE-and-AP magnet

A-TECH in downtown Las Vegas enrolls about 1,300 students and consistently posts a graduation rate near 100%, the highest among CCSD high schools. The school pairs college-prep academics with career-and-technical programs in computer science, engineering, and digital media, and offers a deep slate of AP courses. A-TECH ranks as the top high school in Nevada in repeated U.S. News listings, and its students earn industry certifications alongside college credit.

Pros:

• Graduation rate near 100%, highest in CCSD
• Strong AP plus career-and-technical pathways
• Top-ranked high school in Nevada

Cons:

• Competitive magnet admission required
• Limited traditional athletics

Verdict: The clear Best Overall public high school in Las Vegas.

2Las Vegas Academy of the Arts 💎 BEST VALUE

Type: Public Magnet | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Students wanting elite arts with strong academics, tuition-free

Las Vegas Academy of the Arts (LVA) is a nationally recognized magnet in the historic Las Vegas High School building, enrolling roughly 1,900 students. It blends a strong college-prep curriculum with conservatory-level programs in theater, music, dance, and visual arts, and posts a graduation rate well above the district average. Because it delivers both academics and elite arts training at no tuition, LVA is our Best Value.

Pros:

• Nationally recognized arts magnet, tuition-free
• Graduation rate well above district average
• Strong AP and college-prep core

Cons:

• Audition or portfolio required for arts majors
• Less STEM depth than A-TECH

Verdict: The Best Value, pairing strong academics with elite arts at no cost.

3West Career and Technical Academy

Type: Public Magnet | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Students focused on STEM and biomedical pathways

West Career and Technical Academy (West CTA) in the northwest valley enrolls about 1,400 students and posts a graduation rate above 98%. It offers career programs in biomedical science, engineering, and business alongside a full AP course list, and routinely ranks among the top three high schools in Nevada.

Pros:

• Graduation rate above 98%
• Biomedical and engineering pathways
• Top-three Nevada ranking

Cons:

• Magnet admission is competitive
• Northwest location is a commute for many

Verdict: A leading STEM-and-CTE magnet.

4Southeast Career Technical Academy

Type: Public Magnet | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Students wanting career certifications with college prep

Southeast Career Technical Academy (SECTA) enrolls roughly 1,500 students and offers career programs from culinary arts to nursing and information technology, paired with AP courses. It posts a graduation rate above 96% and strong industry-certification rates.

Pros:

• Broad career-and-technical program menu
• Graduation rate above 96%
• High industry-certification rates

Cons:

• Competitive program admission
• Career focus narrows elective choice

Verdict: A strong CTE magnet with real certifications.

5Northwest Career and Technical Academy

Type: Public Magnet | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Students seeking aviation, legal, and STEM tracks

Northwest Career and Technical Academy serves the growing northwest valley with programs in aviation, legal studies, sports medicine, and engineering. It posts a graduation rate above 95% and a solid AP slate, ranking among Nevada's better high schools.

Pros:

• Distinctive aviation and legal-studies tracks
• Graduation rate above 95%
• Modern facilities

Cons:

• Magnet application required
• Programs fill quickly

Verdict: A specialized CTE magnet with unusual pathways.

6Coronado High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Henderson families wanting strong open-enrollment academics

Coronado High School in Henderson enrolls about 3,000 students and is one of the strongest comprehensive (non-magnet) high schools in the valley, with a graduation rate above 90%, a broad AP program, and competitive athletics. It serves zoned families without a magnet application.

Pros:

• Strong open-enrollment academics
• Broad AP offerings and athletics
• No competitive admission needed

Cons:

• Large enrollment
• Outcomes vary more than at magnets

Verdict: The top comprehensive high school in the Henderson area.

7Green Valley High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Henderson families wanting balanced academics and IB options

Green Valley High School in Henderson enrolls roughly 2,800 students and offers a respected academic program with AP and honors options plus strong fine-arts and athletics. Its graduation rate exceeds 90%, and it draws consistent praise for school climate.

Pros:

• Solid AP and honors academics
• Strong fine arts and athletics
• Graduation rate above 90%

Cons:

• Large school size
• Open-enrollment outcomes vary

Verdict: A well-rounded Henderson comprehensive school.

8Clark High School (Academy of Mathematics, Science, and Applied Technology)

Type: Public with Magnet | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Students wanting a math-and-science magnet inside a comprehensive school

Ed W. Clark High School hosts the Academy of Mathematics, Science, and Applied Technology (AMSAT) magnet alongside its comprehensive population. AMSAT students take an accelerated STEM curriculum with strong AP results, and the school posts solid graduation and college-going numbers.

Pros:

• AMSAT STEM magnet with strong AP results
• Comprehensive and magnet options in one school
• Central valley location

Cons:

• Magnet seats are competitive
• Comprehensive track outcomes vary

Verdict: A math-and-science magnet with broad access.

9Palo Verde High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Northwest families wanting strong comprehensive academics

Palo Verde High School in the northwest valley enrolls about 2,900 students and is regularly among the higher-performing comprehensive schools, with a graduation rate above 90%, a wide AP catalog, and competitive athletics and arts.

Pros:

• Strong AP catalog
• Graduation rate above 90%
• Competitive athletics and arts

Cons:

• Large enrollment
• Open-enrollment results vary by program

Verdict: A high-performing northwest comprehensive school.

10Veterans Tribute Career and Technical Academy

Type: Public Magnet | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Students drawn to public-safety and military-science pathways

Veterans Tribute Career and Technical Academy offers distinctive programs in fire science, criminal justice, EMT training, and military science alongside college-prep academics, posting a graduation rate above 94%. It is a strong fit for students aiming at public-service careers.

Pros:

• Public-safety and military-science programs
• Graduation rate above 94%
• Clear career-to-college pathways

Cons:

• Niche program focus
• Magnet admission required

Verdict: A specialized magnet for public-service careers.

What to Look For When Choosing a Las Vegas Public High School

• Graduation and college-going rates - A school graduating 95%-plus and sending most students to college signals consistent outcomes, not just headline scores.
• Magnet vs. comprehensive - CCSD magnets like A-TECH, West CTA, and LVA require application but offer depth; comprehensive schools like Coronado and Green Valley serve zoned families without one.
• AP and CTE depth - Look at how many students pass AP exams and earn industry certifications, not just how many courses appear in the catalog.
• Program fit - An arts conservatory at LVA, a biomedical track at West CTA, or a public-safety path at Veterans Tribute may serve a student far better than a higher overall rank.
• Commute and zone - CCSD is large and spread out, so factor travel time and whether your address is zoned or you must apply.
• Environment and safety - Check NDE climate and discipline data rather than reputation to judge whether a student will thrive.

What matters less than marketing implies: a single ranking number, the newest building, or average SAT alone. Program access, fit, and a supportive teacher relationship affect outcomes far more.

FAQ

Which public high school is the best overall in Las Vegas? The Advanced Technologies Academy (A-TECH) earns the top spot for its graduation rate near 100%, strong AP-and-CTE programs, and its standing as the top-ranked high school in Nevada.

What is the best value public high school in Las Vegas? Las Vegas Academy of the Arts is our best value, pairing strong college-prep academics with nationally recognized arts programs tuition-free to admitted students.

Do the top Las Vegas public high schools require an application? The magnets - A-TECH, West CTA, SECTA, Northwest CTA, LVA, and Veterans Tribute - require application, while comprehensive schools like Coronado, Green Valley, and Palo Verde are open to families in their attendance zones.

Which Las Vegas high school is best for STEM? West Career and Technical Academy and Clark High School's AMSAT magnet offer the strongest STEM pathways, with West CTA leading in biomedical science and engineering.

Are Las Vegas public high schools part of one district? Yes. Nearly all are run by the Clark County School District (CCSD), one of the largest districts in the country, which operates both magnet and comprehensive high schools across the valley.

Is a magnet or comprehensive school better in Las Vegas? Magnets like A-TECH deliver the highest measured outcomes but require admission, while strong comprehensive schools like Coronado serve all zoned families; the right fit depends on the student's goals and whether they secure a magnet seat.

Bottom Line

For Las Vegas families, the Advanced Technologies Academy (A-TECH) is our Best Overall public high school, with a graduation rate near 100%, strong AP-and-CTE programs, and Nevada's top ranking. Las Vegas Academy of the Arts is our Best Value, delivering strong academics and elite arts training tuition-free. If your priority is STEM, public-service careers, or a strong neighborhood comprehensive school, route yourself to West CTA, Veterans Tribute, or Coronado using the comparisons above.

Choose on program fit, outcomes, and access rather than a single ranking number, and your student will be set up to succeed.

Related on PULSE

• Top 10 Private High Schools in Las Vegas in 2027
• Top 10 Public High Schools in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2027
• Top 10 Public High Schools in Vermont in 2027
• Top 10 Public High Schools in Wyoming in 2027
• Top 10 Public High Schools in North Dakota in 2027
• Top 10 Public High Schools in Maine in 2027

Sources

• U.S. News - Best Nevada High Schools rankings
• Niche - Best Public High Schools in the Las Vegas Area
• GreatSchools - Las Vegas school ratings
• Nevada Department of Education - Nevada Report Card
• Clark County School District (CCSD)
• CCSD Magnet Schools and Career and Technical Academies
• College Board - AP program data
• NCES - National Center for Education Statistics school search

*Public high schools in Las Vegas review - best public high schools Las Vegas, rankings, ratings, review 2027, and a review of the top picks for families.*

People also search for: best public high schools in las vegas · top public high schools in las vegas · top rated public high schools in las vegas · top ranked public high schools in las vegas · highest rated public high schools in las vegas · public high schools in las vegas reviews