Clayton High School Ranks Among the Best High Schools

Clayton High School continues to earn state and national recognition, ranking third overall in Missouri while maintaining its position as the state’s top-ranked public, non-selective high school in U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools rankings. In the 2026 rankings, CHS also climbed 42 spots nationally, rising from #350 to #308 among high schools across the country.

“We are proud of the high standards our community has long set for student learning, and this ranking is something to celebrate,” said Superintendent Nisha Patel, EdD. “What this recognition means to us is that the work happening across our District is making an impact. Students arrive at CHS with a strong foundation and are supported by teachers and staff who know them well and are committed to helping them succeed.”

To calculate the rankings, U.S. News & World Report evaluates nearly 18,000 public high schools nationwide using six measures of student achievement and college readiness. College readiness accounts for the largest share of a school’s score and considers student participation and performance on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams. The rankings also take into account state assessment proficiency and performance, the performance of underserved students, the breadth of a school’s college-level curriculum and graduation rates.

While a school’s position in the rankings can shift from year to year, the overall scores among the highest-ranked schools can be separated by relatively small margins.

“Rankings are one measure of success, but they don’t tell the whole story,” said CHS Principal Dan Gutchewsky, EdD. “What I’m most proud of is the culture of excellence our students and staff create together at CHS. Our students ask questions, take risks, explore their interests and take ownership of their learning. That kind of curiosity and engagement is what we hope stays with them long after they leave CHS.”