These are the 5 top-rated public high schools in the Topeka area — and where the rest rank

Stacey Saldanha-Olson, Topeka Capital-Journal
Updated ·2 min read

Two Topeka schools made the top five best public high schools in counties bordering Shawnee County.

U.S. News & World Report ranked roughly 18,000 public high schools across the country by analyzing how the schools performed on state assessments, graduation rates and college preparedness. All five schools ranked above the state average for graduation rate of 89.3% and most ranked higher in testing for reading, math and science.

Here are the top five schools in the Topeka area:

U.S. News & World Report used state assessments, graduation rates and college preparedness to rank high schools. Holton High School ranked 26th in Kansas.
U.S. News & World Report used state assessments, graduation rates and college preparedness to rank high schools. Holton High School ranked 26th in Kansas.

Holton High School

Holton High is ranked first in the Topeka area, ranking 26th in the state and 4,854th nationally. The school has an overall score of 72.51% and received an award-winning badge by U.S. News. Holton High has a graduation rate of 94%. The school also ranks higher than the state average in proficiency in math, reading and science.

Jackson Heights High School ranks 28th among Kansas high schools, according to U.S. & World Report.
Jackson Heights High School ranks 28th among Kansas high schools, according to U.S. & World Report.

Jackson Heights High School

Jackson High is ranked second in the Topeka area, ranking 28th in the state and 4,895th nationally. The school has an overall score of 72.27% and received an award-winning badge by U.S. News. Jackson Heights scores above the state average in reading, math and science. It also has a graduation rate of 94%.

Washburn Rural ranks 51st among Kansas high schools, according to U.S. & World Report.
Washburn Rural ranks 51st among Kansas high schools, according to U.S. & World Report.

Washburn Rural High School

Washburn Rural is ranked third in the Topeka area, ranking 51st in the state and 6,644th in the nation. The school has an overall score of 62.37% and received an award-winning badge by U.S. News. Washburn Rural ranks higher than the state average in math and reading but slightly below the average in science. Its graduation rate is 92%.

Jefferson West High School

Jefferson West ranks fourth in the Topeka area, 58th statewide and 6,970th nationally. The school has an overall score of 60.52% and received an award-winning badge by U.S. News. Jefferson scores above the state average in science and reading but below in math. Its graduation rate is 94%.

Topeka High School

Topeka High is ranked fifth in the Topeka area, 80th in the state and 8,633rd in the country. It has an overall score of 51.1%. The school scores above the state average in reading but below in math and science. Its graduation rate is 96%.

Here's where the other Topeka-area schools ranked

  • Shawnee Heights High School ranked 81st in Kansas and 8,732nd nationally.

  • Topeka West High school ranked 105th statewide and 9,729th nationally.

  • Seaman High School ranked 107th in Kansas and 9,819th in the country.

  • Silver Lake High School is ranked 128th in the state and 10,653 nationally.

  • Highland Park High School is tied for 191st-293rd statewide and 13,242nd-17,655th nationally.

  • Rossville High School is tied for 191st-293rd statewide and 13,242nd-17,655th nationally.

Scores weren't available for Hayden High School and Cair Paravel because they aren't public schools.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: 5 top-rated public high schools in the Topeka area — and others rank