Best Public High Schools in Louisiana (2026)
Last updated: May 2026 · Sources: LDOE, NCES CCD, US News, College Board
New Orleans selective schools, Jefferson Parish advanced-studies magnets, and Capital Region programs trade places atop US News. Louisiana’s parish governance makes local report cards essential—pair ranks with LDOE trend views before moving.
AI Graduate is an independent editorial organization — we are not affiliated with, funded by, or owned by any university or program. Our rankings are built from public government data, independent research, and direct student/alumni interviews. No school can pay for placement or a higher ranking. Read our full editorial policy →
Snapshot
- Benjamin Franklin combines selective admissions with national top-100 placement—US News prints >95% graduation on its profile snapshot.
- Jefferson Parish runs multiple advanced-studies magnets that can outrank wealthier suburbans if your student wins a seat.
- Baton Rouge magnets (BRMHS, Liberty) concentrate Capital Region talent—verify transportation from Ascension and Livingston feeders.
- LSMSA offers a residential statewide model—read LDOE persistence data for dorms and mental-health supports.
- Acadiana STEM investments show up via David Thibodaux—pair arts electives with workforce dual-enrollment where offered.
- Always cross-check US News ordering with Louisiana School Finder / LDOE report cards.
What are Louisiana's top-ranked public high schools in 2026?
We order this table using the US News Louisiana rankings. Graduation percentages mirror the rounded values published on each school’s US News profile.
| Rank | School | District | City | LA # | Grad | AP est. | S:T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Benjamin Franklin High SchoolMagnet / selective | Orleans PSD | New Orleans | LA #1 | >95% | 30 | 17:1 |
| #2 | Haynes Academy School for Advanced StudiesMagnet / selective | Jefferson Parish | Metairie | LA #2 | >95% | 28 | 18:1 |
| #3 | Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology AcademyMagnet / selective | Jefferson Parish | Avondale | LA #3 | >95% | 26 | 19:1 |
| #4 | The Willow School | Willow School | New Orleans | LA #4 | >95% | 24 | 21:1 |
| #5 | Baton Rouge Magnet High School | East Baton Rouge | Baton Rouge | LA #5 | >95% | 28 | 19:1 |
| #6 | Caddo Parish Magnet High School | Caddo Parish | Shreveport | LA #6 | >95% | 26 | 18:1 |
| #7 | Magnet Academy for Cultural Arts | St. Landry Parish | Opelousas | LA #7 | >95% | 14 | 14:1 |
| #8 | Liberty High School | East Baton Rouge | Baton Rouge | LA #8 | >95% | 22 | 20:1 |
| #9 | Thomas Jefferson Academy for Advanced Studies | Jefferson Parish | Gretna | LA #9 | >95% | 20 | 17:1 |
| #10 | LSU Laboratory School | LSU Lab School | Baton Rouge | LA #10 | >95% | 22 | 16:1 |
| #11 | David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy | Lafayette Parish | Lafayette | LA #11 | >95% | 20 | 20:1 |
| #12 | Louisiana School for Math Science and the Arts | Statewide | Natchitoches | LA #12 | >95% | 24 | 10:1 |
| #13 | Dutchtown High School | Ascension Parish | Geismar | LA #13 | 93% | 18 | 22:1 |
| #14 | Live Oak High School | Livingston Parish | Watson | LA #14 | >95% | 16 | 21:1 |
| #15 | Rosepine High School | Vernon Parish | Rosepine | LA #15 | >95% | 10 | 13:1 |
What should families know about Ben Franklin, Haynes Academy, and Patrick Taylor?
These profiles illustrate how selective New Orleans and Jefferson Parish magnets differ from large Ascension suburbans farther down the same list.
Bottom line: Visit, read LDOE trend lines, and confirm course sequences—not just a rank badge.
What are parents and local forums saying—without mistaking anecdotes for data?
Paraphrases from r/NewOrleans, Jefferson Parish parent pages, and NOLA.com comment sections—not verified statistics.
Ben Franklin stress
“Kids treat admissions like Tiny Ivy Day—therapy waitlists spike every spring.”
— Paraphrase, Orleans caregivers, 2024
Jefferson magnet carpool
“Haynes car line is a masterclass in passive aggression—bring podcasts.”
— Paraphrase, Metairie thread, 2023
Baton Rouge divide
“BRMHS feels like a different state than the rest of EBR—verify bus eligibility before you lease.”
— Paraphrase, Capital Region FB, 2024
LSMSA homesick
“Dorm parents are saints; homesickness hits October hard.”
— Paraphrase, LSMSA families, 2023
Exurb growth
“Dutchtown’s parking lot is a geography lesson in Ascension boom—AP Chem still slaps.”
— Paraphrase, Geismar chatter, 2024
How does Louisiana's Minimum Foundation Program shape per-pupil equity?
MFP funding flows through state formulas plus local options—US News ranks rarely narrate how hurricane recovery, teacher shortages, and parish wealth interact.
In one sentence: Louisiana distributes much K-12 aid through the MFP—read LDOE financial reports alongside school report cards before moving for a US News badge alone.
People also ask (on this site)
FAQ
Why does Benjamin Franklin rank #1 in Louisiana on US News?
Benjamin Franklin is an Orleans Parish selective-admissions high school with intense AP coursework and high college-readiness scores—US News prints >95% graduation on its profile snapshot. Admission screens differ from zoned suburbans; read LDOE equity data alongside the rank.
How do Jefferson Parish magnets cluster at the top?
Haynes Academy, Patrick Taylor, and Thomas Jefferson are advanced-studies magnets drawing from across the parish—transportation zones and application windows matter as much as readiness indexes.
Where does LDOE publish Louisiana school report cards?
Use Louisiana Department of Education school performance and report card files for graduation cohorts, ACT, and growth—US News compresses those signals into a single ranking composite.
What is LSMSA and how selective is it?
The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts is a selective statewide residential magnet in Natchitoches—tiny senior classes can shift ranks year to year even when quality stays high.
Why do Ascension and Livingston suburbans appear mid-list?
Fast-growing exurbs (Dutchtown, Live Oak) run very large campuses—pair US News tiles with LDOE discipline and growth metrics before judging rigor solely on rank position.
Should families trust US News rank alone in Louisiana?
No—hurricane recovery, charter reforms, and parish governance differences mean you should pair ranks with LDOE data, course catalogs, and local tax votes.