Best High Schools in Las Vegas and Clark County (2026 NSPF Rankings)
In the latest 2025 NSPF cycle, College of So NV HS South leads Clark County with 5★ and an index score of 99.3/100 on official Nevada accountability measures. The full top 5 high schools in Clark County for 2026: 1. College of So NV HS South (5★) · 2. College of So NV HS West (5★) · 3. College of So NV HS East (5★). 5 public, magnet, and charter campuses are tracked statewide on the same framework, so you can compare any school directly on math, ELA, and student growth. Clark County schools are part of the same NSPF system as Washoe County (Reno). Use the NevadaSchools.org comparison tool to confirm the metrics that matter most to your family, then visit the campus before committing.
lightbulbKey Takeaway
Using official Nevada Department of Education NSPF data, we break down the highest-rated public magnet, charter, dual-credit, and zoned high schools across Las Vegas and Clark County.
Best High Schools in Las Vegas and Clark County (2026 NSPF Rankings)
Clark County School District (CCSD) is the fifth-largest school district in the United States, serving over 300,000 students. Finding the right high school among 50+ public, magnet, and charter options across the Las Vegas valley can feel overwhelming.
This guide uses official Nevada Department of Education data from the Nevada School Performance Framework (NSPF) to highlight the top-performing high schools in Las Vegas, Henderson, and Clark County.
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Quick Summary: What Is the Top High School in Las Vegas?
> Top Public High School in Las Vegas: Advanced Technologies Academy (A-TECH) is consistently ranked as the top public high school in Las Vegas and Nevada, holding a 5-star NSPF rating with a 99% graduation rate and a 98.5 NSPF index score. For charter schools, Coral Academy of Science (Sandy Ridge) leads in math and science proficiency.
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How Nevada Rates Clark County High Schools
The Nevada Department of Education evaluates every high school using the Nevada School Performance Framework (NSPF), assigning a 1-to-5 star rating and a 0-to-100 index score based on six core metrics: 1. Academic Achievement: ELA and Math proficiency on state assessments. 2. Graduation Rate: 4-year and 5-year adjusted cohort graduation rates (CCSD statewide average: 86.6%). 3. College and Career Readiness: AP exam scores, dual-credit completion, and ACT benchmarks. 4. Academic Growth (AGP): Student progress relative to academic peers statewide. 5. Closing Opportunity Gaps: Performance of historically underserved student groups. 6. Chronic Absenteeism Rate: Percentage of students missing 10%+ of the school year.
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Top Magnet High Schools in Las Vegas
CCSD magnet schools offer specialized academic tracks in STEM, medical sciences, engineering, and visual arts. Admission is by application and lottery each January.
1. Advanced Technologies Academy (A-TECH)
- Location: Central Las Vegas (Vegas Drive)
- Type: CCSD Magnet | Grade Span: 9–12
- NSPF Rating: 5 Stars | Index Score: 98.5/100
- Highlights: A-TECH is Nevada's premier public high school for computer science, cybersecurity, architecture, and engineering. Consistently named a U.S. News Top 100 high school nationally, A-TECH posts a 99%+ four-year graduation rate and student ACT averages well above state benchmarks.
View A-TECH's full NSPF profile →
2. West Career and Technical Academy (West CTA)
- Location: Summerlin / West Las Vegas
- Type: CCSD Magnet | Grade Span: 9–12
- NSPF Rating: 5 Stars | Index Score: 96.2/100
- Highlights: West CTA combines rigorous AP academics with nine specialized career programs, including biomedical science, nursing, engineering, and environmental management. Located on the western rim of the valley, it holds one of the highest ELA and Math proficiency rates in Southern Nevada.
View West CTA's NSPF profile →
3. Southwest Career and Technical Academy (Southwest CTA)
- Location: Enterprise / Southwest Las Vegas
- Type: CCSD Magnet | Grade Span: 9–12
- NSPF Rating: 5 Stars | Index Score: 95.0/100
- Highlights: Serving the rapidly growing southwest valley, Southwest CTA specializes in automotive technology, web design, interior design, respiratory therapy, and dental assisting. Students earn industry certifications alongside honors and AP diplomas.
View Southwest CTA's NSPF profile →
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Top Tuition-Free Charter High Schools
Charter schools are independently operated, publicly funded, and open to any Nevada resident regardless of residential address. Admission is via open application and lottery.
1. Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas (Sandy Ridge Campus)
- Location: Henderson (Sandy Ridge)
- Type: State Charter (SPCSA) | Grade Span: 8–12
- NSPF Rating: 5 Stars | Index Score: 94.1/100
- Highlights: Coral Academy's Sandy Ridge campus focuses heavily on STEM, competitive robotics, and college preparation. It features a 98% graduation rate and consistently outpaces district averages in math and science proficiency.
View Coral Academy Sandy Ridge profile →
2. Pinecrest Academy (Cadence Campus)
- Location: Henderson (Cadence)
- Type: State Charter (SPCSA) | Grade Span: 9–12
- NSPF Rating: 5 Stars | Index Score: 91.8/100
- Highlights: Located in eastern Henderson, Pinecrest Cadence offers dual-enrollment college coursework, AP classes, and strong athletic programs. As part of the Pinecrest network, enrollment is determined by an annual spring lottery.
View Pinecrest Cadence profile →
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Top Dual-Credit College High Schools
College of Southern Nevada High School (South, East, West)
- Locations: CSN Campuses (Henderson, East Las Vegas, Charleston)
- Type: District/College Partnership | Grade Span: 11–12
- NSPF Rating: 5 Stars (All 3 Campuses)
- Highlights: Designed for high school juniors and seniors, CSN High School allows students to complete their high school diploma while earning tuition-free college credits toward an Associate Degree. All three campuses hold 5-star NSPF ratings and rank among the highest in the state for ELA proficiency.
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Top Zoned Public High Schools in Clark County
If you prefer a traditional neighborhood high school without an application process, several zoned schools in Clark County stand out:
- Coronado High School (Henderson): Known for robust AP course selection, high graduation rates (93%+), and strong athletics.
- Palo Verde High School (Summerlin): A top-performing zoned school serving western Las Vegas with strong college placement and IB options.
- Galena / Damonte Ranch (Regional comparison): For families comparing Clark County to Washoe County, see our Reno High Schools Guide.
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How to Choose the Right High School in Clark County
1. Check Your Zoned School First: Look up your home address on NevadaSchools.org to check your assigned school's 5-star rating, proficiency numbers, and chronic absenteeism rate. 2. Mind the Application Deadlines: CCSD Magnet applications open in October and close in January. Charter school lotteries run from January through March. 3. Factor in Transportation: CCSD magnet schools provide busing across designated zones. Most charter schools do not provide transportation, requiring parents to arrange carpools or driving.
Compare Clark County high schools side-by-side on NevadaSchools.org →
rankingsTop 5 High Schools in Clark County (2026)
- College of So NV HS South — 5-star NSPF rating · 99.3/100 index · Henderson
- College of So NV HS West — 5-star NSPF rating · 98.1/100 index · Las Vegas
- College of So NV HS East — 5-star NSPF rating · 97.5/100 index · N Las Vegas
- West Career & Technical Academy High School — 5-star NSPF rating · 97.5/100 index · Las Vegas · Magnet
- Advanced Technologies Academy High School — 5-star NSPF rating · 97/100 index · Las Vegas · Magnet
Source: Nevada School Performance Framework (NSPF) index scores, latest reporting year. Compare every Clark County school →
Quick answers
chevron_rightWhat is the main takeaway from Best High Schools in Las Vegas and Clark County (2026 NSPF Rankings)?
Using official Nevada Department of Education NSPF data, we break down the highest-rated public magnet, charter, dual-credit, and zoned high schools across Las Vegas and Clark County.
chevron_rightWhere does NevadaSchools.org get its school information?
NevadaSchools.org uses official Nevada school accountability data, including NSPF star ratings, index scores, proficiency metrics, graduation rates, and related public school profile information.
chevron_rightWhat is the top-rated high school in Clark County?
College of So NV HS South is currently the highest-rated high school in Clark County on the Nevada School Performance Framework, with an index score of 99.3/100. Use the NevadaSchools.org comparison tool to see math, ELA, and performance detail on every school in the top 10.
chevron_rightHow do Clark County schools compare to Washoe County (Reno) schools?
Clark County and Washoe County (Reno) both report to the same statewide Nevada accountability system — the NSPF — but typically diverge on student-teacher ratios, ELL population, and graduation rate. Clark County generally posts higher district-wide math and ELA proficiency rates than Washoe County (Reno), although Washoe County (Reno) has expanded its 5-star magnet school options in recent years. Use the NevadaSchools.org district-comparison tool for a head-to-head.
chevron_rightHow is the Nevada NSPF star rating calculated?
The Nevada School Performance Framework (NSPF) assigns 1 to 5 stars using a weighted composite of academic achievement, academic growth, English-language progress, chronic absenteeism (elementary/middle), and graduation rate (high school). A school's index score combines the same indicators on a 0–100 scale, and star tier is bucketed from that score.
Ready to compare specific Nevada schools?
Search over 980+ public, charter, and magnet schools across Clark, Washoe, and rural counties by academic score and star rating.
Sources and next steps
NevadaSchools.org uses official Nevada school accountability data, including NSPF ratings, proficiency metrics, graduation rates, and public school profile information. For the original state source, review the Nevada Report Card.