Top 9 Largest High Schools in the US

With over 25,000 high schools across the United States, it can be difficult to determine which ones are the largest. However, based on enrollment numbers, it is possible to identify the top contenders.

These schools not only have a large student population, but often have extensive facilities and resources to accommodate their size.

One of the Largest High Schools in the US is Brooklyn Technical High School in New York City. With an enrollment of over 6,000 students, this specialized high school offers a rigorous academic program in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The school has a diverse student body and a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports teams, music ensembles, and academic clubs.

Another contender for the title of largest high school in the United States is Morton East High School in Cicero, Illinois. This public school has an enrollment of over 4,000 students and serves a predominantly Hispanic community.

The school offers a variety of academic programs, including Advanced Placement courses and vocational training, as well as extracurricular activities such as sports teams and performing arts groups.

Criteria for Ranking High Schools

When ranking high schools, there are several criteria that are taken into consideration. The following are some of the most important factors that are used to determine the largest high schools in the US:

Enrollment

Enrollment is the number of students enrolled in a high school. This is one of the most important factors when it comes to ranking high schools. The larger the enrollment, the higher the ranking.

Campus Size

The size of a high school’s campus is also taken into consideration. A larger campus can accommodate more students, which can lead to a higher enrollment.

Academic Programs

The academic programs offered by a high school are also important. High schools that offer a wide range of academic programs, such as Advanced Placement courses or International Baccalaureate programs, are considered to be more prestigious.

Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities are also an important factor when it comes to ranking high schools. High schools that offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, such as sports teams, clubs, and organizations, are considered to be more well-rounded.

Graduation Rate

The graduation rate is the percentage of students who graduate from a high school. High schools with a high graduation rate are considered to be more successful.

Student-to-Teacher Ratio

The student-to-teacher ratio is the number of students per teacher. A lower student-to-teacher ratio is generally considered to be better, as it allows for more individualized attention for each student.

Overall, these factors are used to determine the largest high schools in the US.

Geographical Distribution of Largest High Schools in the US

The largest high schools in the United States are spread out across the country. While some states have multiple schools on the list, others have only one. Here is a breakdown of the geographical distribution of the top 10 largest high schools in the US:

1. Brooklyn Technical High School – New York City, NY – over 6,000 students enrolled3
2. Penn Foster High School – online school with over 60,000 high school students4
3. Chicago International Charter School – Chicago, IL – 8,556 students5
4. Acero Schools Chicago – Chicago, IL – 7,842 students5
5. Somerset Academy of Las Vegas – Las Vegas, NV – 6,432 students5
6. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology – Alexandria, VA – 1,789 students3
7. Whitney M. Young Magnet High School – Chicago, IL – 2,211 students3
8. James Madison High School – Houston, TX – 3,484 students3
9. Allen High School – Allen, TX – 6,727 students4

As you can see, Illinois and New York are the states with the most schools on the list, with four and three schools respectively. Virginia has one school on the list, while Rochester, NY is the only non-major city to have a school in the top 10.

It is worth noting that the largest high schools in the US are not necessarily located in the most populous states. For example, California and Texas, the two most populous states in the US, do not have any schools on the list.

Overall, the top 10 largest high schools in the US are located in a variety of regions, from major cities to smaller towns.

Top 9 Largest High Schools in the US

1. Penn Foster High School

• Enrollment: Around 300,000
• Location: Online school
• Features: Penn Foster High School is an online school that offers a flexible and self-paced learning environment for students. The school offers a wide range of courses and programs, including a high school diploma program, career certificates, and associate degrees. Students can access their coursework and materials online and communicate with their instructors and peers through various online tools and platforms.
• Contact information: Website – https://www.pennfoster.edu/high-school, Phone – 1-888-427-6500

2. Brigham Young University Independent Study High

• Enrollment: 41,370
• Location: Provo, UT
• Features: Brigham Young University Independent Study High is a distance learning program that offers online courses for high school students. The school offers a variety of courses, including core subjects, electives, and Advanced Placement courses. Students can work at their own pace and have access to online resources and support from instructors.
• Contact information: Website – https://is.byu.edu/site/, Phone – 1-801-422-2868

3. Ohio Virtual Academy

• Enrollment: 12,644
• Location: Maumee, OH
• Features: Ohio Virtual Academy is an online public charter school that offers a full-time virtual learning program for students in grades K-12. The school provides a personalized learning experience for students, with individualized instruction and support from teachers and staff. Students have access to a wide range of courses and extracurricular activities, including clubs, sports, and field trips.
• Contact information: Website – https://ohva.k12.com/, Phone – 1-866-339-9071

4. Georgia Cyber Academy

• Enrollment: 9,731
• Location: Atlanta, GA
• Features: Georgia Cyber Academy is an online public charter school that offers a full-time virtual learning program for students in grades K-12. The school provides a personalized learning experience for students, with individualized instruction and support from teachers and staff. Students have access to a wide range of courses and extracurricular activities, including clubs, sports, and field trips.
• Contact information: Website – https://www.georgiacyber.org/, Phone – 1-888-442-9963

5. Commonwealth Charter Academy

• Enrollment: 9,300
• Location: Harrisburg, PA
• Features: Commonwealth Charter Academy is an online public charter school that offers a full-time virtual learning program for students in grades K-12. The school provides a personalized learning experience for students, with individualized instruction and support from teachers and staff. Students have access to a wide range of courses and extracurricular activities, including clubs, sports, and field trips.
• Contact information: Website – https://ccaeducate.me/, Phone – 1-844-590-2864

6. Chicago International Charter School

• Enrollment: 8,556
• Location: Chicago, IL
• Features: Chicago International Charter School is a public charter school that offers a college-preparatory program for students in grades K-12. The school provides a rigorous and challenging curriculum, with a focus on critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Students have access to a wide range of courses and extracurricular activities, including clubs, sports, and community service projects.
• Contact information: Website – https://www.chicagointl.org/, Phone – 1-312-651-5000

7. Acero Schools Chicago

• Enrollment: 7,842
• Location: Chicago, IL
• Features: Acero Schools Chicago is a public charter school network that offers a college-preparatory program for students in grades K-12. The school provides a rigorous and challenging curriculum, with a focus on critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Students have access to a wide range of courses and extracurricular activities, including clubs, sports, and community service projects.
• Contact information: Website – https://www.aceroschools.org/, Phone – 1-312-455-5400

8. Somerset Academy of Las Vegas

• Enrollment: 6,432
• Location: Las Vegas, NV
• Features: Somerset Academy of Las Vegas is a public charter school that offers a college-preparatory program for students in grades K-12. The school provides a rigorous and challenging curriculum, with a focus on critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Students have access to a wide range of courses and extracurricular activities, including clubs, sports, and community service projects.
• Contact information: Website – https://somersetnv.org/, Phone – 1-702-982-2900

9. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

• Enrollment: 1,789
• Location: Alexandria, VA
• Features: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology is a public magnet school that offers a specialized program for students in grades 9-12. The school provides a rigorous and challenging curriculum, with a focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Students have access to a wide range of courses and extracurricular activities, including research projects, internships, and competitions.
• Contact information: Website – https://tjhsst.fcps.edu/, Phone – 1-703-750-8300

Citations:
[1] https://a-z-animals.com/blog/largest-high-schools-in-the-united-states/
[2] https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/national-rankings
[3] https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools
[4] https://nces.ed.gov/npec/pdf/kuh_team_report.pdf
[5] https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=84
[6] https://www.nclack.k12.or.us

Factors Influencing School Size

There are various factors that can influence the size of high schools in the United States. Some of the most significant factors are:

Population Density

The population density of an area can play a major role in the size of a high school. In densely populated areas, there may be a higher demand for education, which can lead to larger schools. Conversely, in rural areas with lower population densities, schools may be smaller due to lower demand.

Funding

The amount of funding a school receives can also impact its size. Schools with larger budgets may be able to afford more resources, such as additional teachers, which can allow them to accommodate more students. On the other hand, schools with smaller budgets may have to limit their enrollment to keep costs down.

Geographic Location

The geographic location of a school can also influence its size. Schools located in urban areas may have limited space available, which can result in smaller school sizes. In contrast, schools in suburban or rural areas may have more space available, which can allow them to accommodate more students.

School District Policies

The policies of a school district can also impact the size of high schools. Some school districts may prefer larger schools to provide a wider range of academic and extracurricular programs, while others may prefer smaller schools to provide a more personalized educational experience.

Overall, a combination of these factors can contribute to the size of high schools in the United States.

Impact of Large School Size on Education Quality

The size of a school can have a significant impact on the quality of education it provides. While larger schools may offer more resources and opportunities, they can also present challenges that can negatively affect student learning.

Advantages of Large Schools

One of the primary advantages of larger schools is the availability of more resources. Larger schools often have more funding and can offer a wider range of programs and extracurricular activities. They may also have more specialized teachers and staff who can provide students with additional support and guidance.

In addition, larger schools can offer more diverse student populations. This can expose students to a wider range of perspectives and experiences, which can be beneficial in preparing them for the real world.

Challenges of Large Schools

Despite these advantages, larger schools can also present challenges that can negatively impact education quality. One of the primary challenges is the potential for overcrowding. Larger schools may have more students than they can effectively accommodate, which can lead to larger class sizes and less individualized attention for students.

In addition, larger schools can be more difficult to navigate for both students and teachers. With more students and staff, it can be challenging to establish a sense of community and connectedness within the school. This can also make it more difficult for teachers to provide individualized attention and support to their students.

Conclusion

The impact of school size on education quality is a complex issue that depends on a variety of factors. While larger schools can offer more resources and opportunities, they can also present challenges that can negatively affect student learning. Ultimately, the key to ensuring high-quality education is to find a balance between the benefits and challenges of school size.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the largest high schools in the US are impressive in their size and student population. The top 10 schools alone have a combined student population of over 50,000 students. These schools offer a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities, but also face unique challenges due to their size.

One challenge is providing personalized attention to each student. With such a large student body, it can be difficult for teachers and staff to get to know each student individually and provide the necessary support. However, many of these schools have implemented programs and initiatives to address this issue, such as smaller learning communities or advisory programs.

Another challenge is maintaining a sense of community and school spirit. With so many students, it can be easy for individuals to feel lost or disconnected. Yet, many of these schools have active student organizations, sports teams, and clubs that foster a sense of belonging and pride.

Overall, while the largest high schools in the US may have their challenges, they also offer unique opportunities and experiences for their students.