Best High Schools in Santa Clara County, California
Part of our Best Schools in Santa Clara County guide.
Introduction
Santa Clara County is home to some of the most academically accomplished high schools in California — and honestly, in the country. Nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley, this region draws families who prioritize rigorous academics, and the schools here reflect that culture in a big way. Whether you're relocating for work, moving within the Bay Area, or simply trying to figure out which neighborhood gives your teenager the best shot at a strong future, the high schools in this county are worth a close look.
What's striking about this list isn't just the raw scores — it's the consistency. Schools across multiple cities and districts are performing at the 97th, 98th, 99th, and even 100th percentile statewide. That means your options here aren't just one or two standout campuses; there's a whole ecosystem of exceptional schools. Here are the ten best high schools in Santa Clara County, based on The School Advocate's rankings.
1. Lynbrook High — Fremont Union High School District, San Jose
Lynbrook High School sits at the top of our rankings for Santa Clara County, scoring at the 100th percentile in English, Math, and Science — a rare achievement that puts it among the elite high schools in all of California. Part of the highly regarded Fremont Union High School District, Lynbrook draws students from the west San Jose neighborhoods that border Cupertino, an area defined by well-maintained suburbs and families deeply invested in education. If you're a parent who wants a school where academic excellence is the norm and not the exception, Lynbrook is hard to beat.
2. Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy — Gilroy Unified School District, Gilroy
Don't let its location at the southern end of the county fool you — Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy is a powerhouse, ranking at the 100th percentile overall with a perfect 100th in both English and Science and a 99th in Math. As an early college academy, it offers students the opportunity to earn college credits while still in high school, which makes it a compelling choice for academically motivated students who are ready to get a head start. Gilroy itself has a distinct, community-rooted character that feels a world away from the bustle of San Jose or Palo Alto — a good fit for families who want top-tier academics in a more relaxed, close-knit setting.
3. Cupertino High — Fremont Union High School District, Cupertino
Cupertino is practically synonymous with academic ambition — it's the kind of city where educational achievement is a core part of the community identity — and Cupertino High lives up to that reputation with 98th percentile scores in English and 99th percentile scores in both Math and Science. As part of the Fremont Union High School District, it shares a strong institutional framework with neighboring Lynbrook and Monta Vista. Families drawn to the city's well-regarded schools, proximity to major tech employers, and suburban comfort will find Cupertino High a natural anchor to the neighborhood.
4. Monta Vista High — Fremont Union High School District, Cupertino
Also located in Cupertino, Monta Vista High rounds out a remarkable trio of Fremont Union schools in the top five. It scores at the 100th percentile in Math, 99th in Science, and 97th in English — results that reflect a student body known for being extraordinarily driven and competitive. Monta Vista has long had a reputation as one of the toughest academic environments in the state, and families who thrive in high-expectation cultures often seek it out specifically. It's a school where students are surrounded by peers who take their studies seriously, which can be both motivating and challenging in equal measure.
5. Henry M. Gunn High — Palo Alto Unified School District, Palo Alto
Palo Alto is one of those cities where nearly every school conversation eventually circles back to Gunn — and for good reason. Henry M. Gunn High scores at the 99th percentile in both Math and Science and the 97th in English, placing it firmly among the county's best. Gunn is part of the Palo Alto Unified School District, which also serves a community with deep ties to Stanford University and the broader tech and research world. Families who land in Palo Alto often do so with education as a top priority, and Gunn consistently delivers for students who are ready to rise to the challenge.
Score Trends — Top 5
The top five schools show a mixed picture this year. Lynbrook High remains a strong performer with Math holding steady at 165, though English slipped from 150 to 143—a concerning drop of 7 points that parents should watch. Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy is the clear winner in this group, with English jumping 7 points (148 to 155) and Math surging an impressive 13 points (91 to 104), suggesting their early college model is paying off. Meanwhile, Cupertino High is heading in the wrong direction, with English falling 11 points (123 to 112) and Math dropping 9 points (124 to 115), making it the weakest performer among these five. Monta Vista High also shows concerning declines, particularly in English where scores plummeted 19 points from 122 to 103—the largest drop in this group—while Math fell 10 points.
6. Saratoga High — Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District, Saratoga
Saratoga is one of the more affluent and quietly prestigious communities in the South Bay, and Saratoga High matches its surroundings with strong scores across the board — 98th percentile in English, 99th in Math, and 98th in Science. The school has a reputation for academic rigor paired with a slightly smaller, more tight-knit feel than some of the larger comprehensive campuses on this list. Families who are drawn to Saratoga's tree-lined streets, excellent safety record, and upscale suburban atmosphere often cite the high school as one of the primary reasons for choosing the area.
7. Mountain View High — Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District, Mountain View
Mountain View often gets overshadowed by its more famous Silicon Valley neighbors, but Mountain View High School makes a strong case for the city on its own terms. Scoring at the 97th percentile in English and Math and the 98th in Science, the school serves a diverse and dynamic community that includes longtime residents, young tech professionals, and families from all walks of life. Mountain View has a vibrant downtown, a genuine sense of neighborhood culture, and a school that reflects the city's mix of ambition and accessibility — it's a great option for families who want top-tier academics without the pressure-cooker intensity of some other campuses on this list.
8. Leland High — San Jose Unified School District, San Jose
Leland High is a gem within San Jose Unified, a large district that covers a wide range of neighborhoods and school performance levels. Leland itself stands apart, scoring at the 96th percentile in English, 98th in Math, and an impressive 99th in Science. Located in the Almaden Valley area of San Jose, Leland draws from one of the city's most sought-after residential neighborhoods — a part of San Jose that feels more like a classic suburb than a dense urban environment. For families who want a strong public school within San Jose proper, without leaving the city, Leland is consistently the answer.
9. Evergreen Valley High — East Side Union High School District, San Jose
Evergreen Valley High is a standout within the East Side Union High School District, a large district that serves the east side of San Jose. Scoring at the 96th percentile in English and 97th in both Math and Science, Evergreen Valley punches well above the typical expectations for its district and draws from the Evergreen neighborhood — a suburban enclave in the eastern hills of San Jose with a strong, family-oriented community feel. The school has built a proud academic culture and attracts families who are deeply committed to their children's success, making it a genuinely competitive option in a part of the county that doesn't always get the recognition it deserves.
10. Los Altos High — Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District, Los Altos
Los Altos High rounds out our top ten, scoring at the 92nd percentile in English, 96th in Math, and 96th in Science. Part of the same district as Mountain View High, Los Altos serves one of the most affluent small cities in the county — a place known for its walkable downtown, quiet residential streets, and strong sense of community. The school benefits from highly engaged families and a student body that tends to be academically motivated, and it offers a slightly more intimate environment than some of the larger campuses higher up on this list. For families putting down roots in Los Altos, the high school is a natural extension of the community's values.
Score Trends — #6-10
The second tier of schools tells a more encouraging story overall. Henry M. Gunn High and Saratoga High are both moving in the right direction, with Gunn showing solid gains in Math (+10 points to 114) and English (+5 points to 107), while Saratoga improved English by 6 points to 117 despite a slight Math dip. Mountain View High and Leland High are the real success stories here, with both schools showing dramatic turnarounds—Mountain View jumped 18 points in English and 16 in Math, while Leland posted the most impressive gains in the entire dataset with English soaring 38 points (71 to 109) and Math skyrocketing 59 points (27 to 86). Los Altos High also improved meaningfully across both subjects, climbing 15 points in English and 16 in Math, though from lower baseline scores. Only Evergreen Valley High showed minimal change, essentially flat-lining with just minor adjustments in both subjects.
How We Rank Schools
The School Advocate ranks schools using state assessment data across three subject areas: English, Math, and Science. English and Math each account for 40% of the overall score, while Science makes up the remaining 20%. Scores are converted into statewide percentile rankings so you can see exactly how each school compares to every other public school in California. More recent years are weighted more heavily in our calculations to reflect a school's current performance rather than its historical average.
Compare Schools Yourself
Numbers can only tell part of the story. If you want to dig into the details — compare two schools side by side, look at subject-by-subject breakdowns, or evaluate options across different cities and districts — head over to our school comparison tool at /compare. It's free to use and built specifically for parents who want to make informed decisions without wading through dense government data.
Top 50 Rankings
| Rank | School | District | City | English | Math | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lynbrook High | Fremont Union High | San Jose | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| 2 | Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy | Gilroy Unified | Gilroy | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| 3 | Cupertino High | Fremont Union High | Cupertino | 98 | 99 | 99 |
| 4 | Monta Vista High | Fremont Union High | Cupertino | 97 | 100 | 99 |
| 5 | Henry M. Gunn High | Palo Alto Unified | Palo Alto | 97 | 99 | 99 |
| 6 | Saratoga High | Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High | Saratoga | 98 | 99 | 98 |
| 7 | Mountain View High | Mountain View-Los Altos Union High | Mountain View | 97 | 97 | 98 |
| 8 | Leland High | San Jose Unified | San Jose | 96 | 98 | 97 |
| 9 | Evergreen Valley High | East Side Union High | San Jose | 96 | 97 | 97 |
| 10 | Los Altos High | Mountain View-Los Altos Union High | Los Altos | 92 | 96 | 96 |
| 11 | Los Gatos High | Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High | Los Gatos | 93 | 95 | 95 |
| 12 | Homestead High | Fremont Union High | Cupertino | 90 | 97 | 95 |
| 13 | Leigh High | Campbell Union High | San Jose | 89 | 96 | 94 |
| 14 | Palo Alto High | Palo Alto Unified | Palo Alto | 84 | 97 | 93 |
| 15 | Piedmont Hills High | East Side Union High | San Jose | 92 | 92 | 93 |
| 16 | University Preparatory Academy Charter | Santa Clara County Office of Education | San Jose | 88 | 96 | 92 |
| 17 | Branham High | Campbell Union High | San Jose | 91 | 91 | 92 |
| 18 | KIPP San Jose Collegiate | East Side Union High | San Jose | 92 | 95 | 92 |
| 19 | Milpitas High | Milpitas Unified | Milpitas | 87 | 91 | 90 |
| 20 | Summit Public School: Tahoma | Santa Clara County Office of Education | San Jose | 85 | 90 | 87 |
| 21 | Santa Clara High | Santa Clara Unified | Santa Clara | 82 | 86 | 85 |
| 22 | Adrian Wilcox High | Santa Clara Unified | Santa Clara | 84 | 81 | 82 |
| 23 | Santa Teresa High | East Side Union High | San Jose | 76 | 83 | 82 |
| 24 | Westmont High | Campbell Union High | Campbell | 71 | 87 | 81 |
| 25 | Fremont High | Fremont Union High | Sunnyvale | 73 | 84 | 81 |
| 26 | Ann Sobrato High | Morgan Hill Unified | Morgan Hill | 80 | 79 | 81 |
| 27 | Silver Creek High | East Side Union High | San Jose | 71 | 82 | 77 |
| 28 | Kathleen MacDonald High | Santa Clara Unified | San Jose | 71 | 71 | 75 |
| 29 | Pioneer High | San Jose Unified | San Jose | 66 | 76 | 75 |
| 30 | Prospect High | Campbell Union High | Saratoga | 61 | 82 | 74 |
| 31 | Willow Glen High | San Jose Unified | San Jose | 49 | 69 | 64 |
| 32 | KIPP Navigate College Prep | SBE - KIPP Navigate College Prep | San Jose | 59 | 64 | 63 |
| 33 | Christopher High | Gilroy Unified | Gilroy | 55 | 60 | 61 |
| 34 | Yerba Buena High | East Side Union High | San Jose | 48 | 57 | 54 |
| 35 | Live Oak High | Morgan Hill Unified | Morgan Hill | 43 | 41 | 47 |
| 36 | Del Mar High | Campbell Union High | San Jose | 52 | 31 | 46 |
| 37 | Abraham Lincoln High | San Jose Unified | San Jose | 47 | 40 | 46 |
| 38 | Oak Grove High | East Side Union High | San Jose | 35 | 43 | 43 |
| 39 | Independence High | East Side Union High | San Jose | 17 | 34 | 36 |
| 40 | Gunderson High | San Jose Unified | San Jose | 20 | 37 | 29 |
| 41 | Gilroy High | Gilroy Unified | Gilroy | 21 | 23 | 26 |
| 42 | Downtown College Preparatory | San Jose Unified | San Jose | 29 | 20 | 21 |
| 43 | Andrew P. Hill High | East Side Union High | San Jose | 18 | 16 | 19 |
| 44 | Latino College Preparatory Academy | East Side Union High | San Jose | 24 | 14 | 17 |
| 45 | San Jose High | San Jose Unified | San Jose | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| 46 | Luis Valdez Leadership Academy | East Side Union High | San Jose | 16 | 26 | 14 |
| 47 | Mt. Pleasant High | East Side Union High | San Jose | 15 | 10 | 12 |
| 48 | ACE Charter High | East Side Union High | San Jose | 13 | 15 | 12 |
| 49 | William C. Overfelt High | East Side Union High | San Jose | 11 | 7 | 10 |
| 50 | James Lick High | East Side Union High | San Jose | 9 | 6 | 7 |