Cleveland High School Ranked No. 1 in Local Area in U.S. News’ 2026–2027 Best High Schools Rankings Cleveland High School has been recognized among the 2026–2027 Best High Schools by U.S. News & World Report, earning a strong position nationally and across Tennessee and leading area secondary schools as the number one high school in the local area in the latest ratings. Cleveland High School is ranked No. 63 among high schools in Tennessee. U.S. News & World Report evaluated approximately 27,000 public high schools across the country, with nearly 18,000 receiving a ranking. The annual rankings evaluate schools based on several measures of student success, including college readiness, academic performance and graduation rates. “This recognition reflects the work our students, teachers and staff put in every day,” said Dr. Jeff Elliott, Director of Cleveland City Schools. “We are proud of the opportunities available to our students and, even more importantly, proud of the way they continue to rise to those opportunities. Their success is supported by dedicated educators, engaged families and a community that believes in our schools.” College readiness is an important part of the Cleveland High School experience, with students able to challenge themselves through a wide range of Advanced Placement courses. Popular AP offerings include English Language and Composition, European History, Human Geography, Precalculus, Calculus, Psychology, U.S. Government and Politics, and U.S. History. In 2026, Cleveland High School recognized 39 AP Scholars, 15 AP Scholars with Honor and 28 AP Scholars with Distinction. The College Board recognizes students as AP Scholars when they earn scores of 3 or higher on at least three AP Exams. AP Scholars with Honor earn scores of 3 or higher on at least four AP Exams while maintaining an average score of at least 3.25 across all AP Exams taken. AP Scholars with Distinction earn scores of 3 or higher on at least five AP Exams while maintaining an average score of at least 3.5 across all AP Exams taken. Cleveland High School’s AP teachers also receive College Board training to help provide students with the most rigorous, college-level learning experiences possible and prepare them for success on AP coursework and exams. “We want every student who leaves Cleveland High School to feel prepared for whatever comes next,” said Principal Bob Pritchard. “These rankings and recognitions are meaningful because they represent the effort we see from our students and staff throughout the year. We are proud of what they have accomplished, and we will continue working to provide opportunities that challenge students and help them reach their goals. Somebody’s got to be No. 1, why not us?” The U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools methodology focuses on six factors: college readiness; reading, math and science proficiency; reading, math and science performance; underserved student performance; college curriculum breadth; and graduation rates. “Earning a high placement in the Best High Schools rankings is a remarkable achievement that reflects a school's commitment to academic excellence,” said LaMont Jones, Ed.D., managing editor for education at U.S. News & World Report. Families and community members can learn more about Cleveland High School’s performance and the methodology behind the 2026–2027 Best High Schools rankings at USNews.com.

Cleveland High School Ranked No. 1 in Local Area in U.S. News’ 2026–2027 Best High Schools Rankings

Cleveland City Schools

August 21, 2026

Cleveland High School has been recognized among the 2026–2027 Best High Schools by U.S. News & World Report, earning a strong position nationally and across Tennessee and leading area secondary schools as the number one high school in the local area in the latest ratings.

Cleveland High School is ranked No. 63 among high schools in Tennessee. U.S. News & World Report evaluated approximately 27,000 public high schools across the country, with nearly 18,000 receiving a ranking. The annual rankings evaluate schools based on several measures of student success, including college readiness, academic performance and graduation rates. 

“This recognition reflects the work our students, teachers and staff put in every day,” said Dr. Jeff Elliott, Director of Cleveland City Schools. “We are proud of the opportunities available to our students and, even more importantly, proud of the way they continue to rise to those opportunities. Their success is supported by dedicated educators, engaged families and a community that believes in our schools.”

College readiness is an important part of the Cleveland High School experience, with students able to challenge themselves through a wide range of Advanced Placement courses. Popular AP offerings include English Language and Composition, European History, Human Geography, Precalculus, Calculus, Psychology, U.S. Government and Politics, and U.S. History.

In 2026, Cleveland High School recognized 39 AP Scholars, 15 AP Scholars with Honor and 28 AP Scholars with Distinction.

The College Board recognizes students as AP Scholars when they earn scores of 3 or higher on at least three AP Exams. AP Scholars with Honor earn scores of 3 or higher on at least four AP Exams while maintaining an average score of at least 3.25 across all AP Exams taken. AP Scholars with Distinction earn scores of 3 or higher on at least five AP Exams while maintaining an average score of at least 3.5 across all AP Exams taken.

Cleveland High School’s AP teachers also receive College Board training to help provide students with the most rigorous, college-level learning experiences possible and prepare them for success on AP coursework and exams.

“We want every student who leaves Cleveland High School to feel prepared for whatever comes next,” said Principal Bob Pritchard. “These rankings and recognitions are meaningful because they represent the effort we see from our students and staff throughout the year. We are proud of what they have accomplished, and we will continue working to provide opportunities that challenge students and help them reach their goals. Somebody’s got to be No. 1, why not us?”

The U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools methodology focuses on six factors: college readiness; reading, math and science proficiency; reading, math and science performance; underserved student performance; college curriculum breadth; and graduation rates.

“Earning a high placement in the Best High Schools rankings is a remarkable achievement that reflects a school's commitment to academic excellence,” said LaMont Jones, Ed.D., managing editor for education at U.S. News & World Report.

Families and community members can learn more about Cleveland High School’s performance and the methodology behind the 2026–2027 Best High Schools rankings at USNews.com.