Top 10 Public High Schools in Oklahoma

Direct Answer

The Best Overall public high school in Oklahoma is Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, a magnet school whose AP rigor, near-95% graduation rate, and elite college matriculation make it the clear statewide leader. The Best Value pick is Norman High School, a tuition-free public school whose strong academics, deep dual-credit ties to the University of Oklahoma, and broad programming deliver the best outcomes-per-dollar in the state.

This list is built for families and students weighing public options across Oklahoma, from the Tulsa and Oklahoma City metros to Norman, Stillwater, Edmond, and Bartlesville. Every pick uses real, publicly reported data from state and national education sources.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each school against the priorities families and students consistently say matter most, drawing on figures published by U.S. News Education, Niche, GreatSchools, the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE), the College Board, and NCES. The weighting:

• Academic performance — 25%
• College and post-grad outcomes — 20%
• Value and cost — 15%
• Teachers and resources — 15%
• Environment and safety — 15%
• Extracurriculars and fit — 10%

A school that posts strong test scores but graduates few students, or offers deep electives but thin academic support, drops fast. The winners balance all six.

1. Booker T. Washington High School (Tulsa) 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Type: Public Magnet | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families who want Oklahoma's strongest college-prep academics

Booker T. Washington High School is a selective magnet school in Tulsa Public Schools enrolling about 1,400 students. It is consistently ranked the No. 1 public high school in Oklahoma, with a graduation rate near 95%, an extensive AP and International Baccalaureate (IB) program, and proficiency rates far above state averages.

The school's average ACT scores lead the state's comprehensive public schools, and graduates enroll at the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and selective national universities. Beyond academics, Booker T. Washington fields strong athletics and arts programs and maintains a diverse, college-focused culture.

The student-teacher ratio runs about 16:1.

Pros:

• No. 1 statewide ranking with a graduation rate near 95%
• Extensive AP and IB programming
• Proficiency rates far above the state average
• Elite matriculation to OU, OSU, and national universities

Cons:

• Magnet admission is competitive and limited
• High academic expectations raise pressure

Verdict: Booker T. Washington wins on balance — top academics, high graduation, and elite outcomes with no weak spot.

2. Norman High School 💎 BEST VALUE

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families wanting strong academics and OU dual-credit at no cost

Norman High School serves Norman in Cleveland County within Norman Public Schools and enrolls about 2,000 students. It is the best value in Oklahoma: a tuition-free comprehensive public school with deep dual-credit and concurrent-enrollment ties to the University of Oklahoma, located just minutes from campus.

Norman posts a graduation rate in the high 80s to low 90s, a strong AP catalog, and above-state proficiency rates. The school offers a broad slate of STEM, arts, and athletics programs, and graduates enroll heavily at OU and other four-year universities. The student-teacher ratio is about 17:1.

Pros:

• Outstanding OU dual-credit access at zero tuition
• Graduation rate in the high 80s to low 90s
• Strong AP and concurrent-enrollment options
• Broad STEM, arts, and athletics programming

Cons:

• Large enrollment can stretch counseling
• Outcomes trail the selective Tulsa magnet

Verdict: Norman is the value champion — strong academics and unmatched OU access from a free public school.

3. Edmond North High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Edmond-area families wanting large-school resources and strong academics

Edmond North High School serves Edmond in Oklahoma County within Edmond Public Schools and enrolls roughly 2,600 students. It pairs a graduation rate in the low 90s with a deep AP program and above-state proficiency rates. Edmond North is known for academic decathlon, debate, and championship athletics, plus strong band and fine-arts programs.

Graduates enroll at the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and out-of-state universities. The student-teacher ratio is about 18:1, and concurrent-enrollment partnerships with regional colleges expand options for college-bound students.

Pros:

• Graduation rate in the low 90s
• Deep AP and concurrent-enrollment options
• Powerhouse academic decathlon and debate
• Strong band, fine-arts, and athletics

Cons:

• Very large enrollment can feel impersonal
• Competitive culture raises academic pressure

Verdict: A resource-rich Edmond school with deep academics and standout activities.

4. Jenks High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: South-Tulsa-metro families wanting big-school academics and athletics

Jenks High School serves Jenks in the south Tulsa metro within Jenks Public Schools and enrolls about 3,400 students on a large campus. It posts a graduation rate in the low 90s, a deep AP and concurrent-enrollment program, and above-state proficiency rates.

Jenks is nationally known for championship athletics, band, and STEM programming, and its size supports an unusually broad slate of electives and clubs. Graduates enroll at the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and selective universities. The student-teacher ratio is about 17:1, and dual-credit partnerships are widely used.

Pros:

• Graduation rate in the low 90s
• Nationally known athletics and band
• Deep AP and concurrent-enrollment catalog
• Broad electives supported by large size

Cons:

• Very large enrollment can dilute attention
• Competitive athletics culture isn't for everyone

Verdict: A large, well-rounded south-Tulsa school strong in academics and activities alike.

5. Edmond Memorial High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Edmond families wanting an established academic and arts tradition

Edmond Memorial High School serves Edmond within Edmond Public Schools and enrolls about 2,300 students. The district's flagship campus, it posts a graduation rate in the low 90s, a deep AP program, and above-state proficiency rates. Edmond Memorial is known for strong debate, academic decathlon, and a celebrated fine-arts and theater tradition, alongside competitive athletics.

Graduates enroll at the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and out-of-state universities. The student-teacher ratio is about 18:1, and concurrent-enrollment options extend college access.

Pros:

• Graduation rate in the low 90s
• Celebrated fine-arts and theater tradition
• Strong debate and academic decathlon
• Deep AP and concurrent-enrollment options

Cons:

• Large size can lengthen course waitlists
• Outcomes trail the selective Tulsa magnet

Verdict: An established Edmond flagship strong on academics and the arts.

6. Stillwater High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families wanting strong academics near Oklahoma State University

Stillwater High School serves Stillwater in Payne County within Stillwater Public Schools and enrolls about 1,900 students. Located in Oklahoma State University's home city, it offers deep concurrent-enrollment ties to OSU, a strong AP program, and a graduation rate in the high 80s to low 90s.

Proficiency rates run above state averages, and the school is known for strong STEM, band, and athletics programs. Graduates enroll heavily at Oklahoma State and other four-year universities. The student-teacher ratio is about 17:1, and the campus benefits from a college-town academic culture.

Pros:

• Outstanding OSU concurrent-enrollment access
• Strong AP and STEM offerings
• Above-state proficiency rates
• College-town academic culture

Cons:

• Smaller metro limits some elective breadth
• Outcomes trail the largest metro schools

Verdict: A strong college-town school with unmatched OSU connections.

7. Owasso High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: North-Tulsa-metro families wanting large-school resources

Owasso High School serves Owasso in the north Tulsa metro within Owasso Public Schools and enrolls roughly 2,800 students. It posts a graduation rate in the high 80s to low 90s, a deep AP and concurrent-enrollment program, and at-or-above-state proficiency rates.

Owasso is known for championship athletics, an acclaimed band, and strong CTE pathways. Graduates enroll at the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and regional universities. The student-teacher ratio is about 18:1, and the large campus supports a wide range of clubs and electives.

Pros:

• Acclaimed band and championship athletics
• Deep AP and concurrent-enrollment options
• Strong CTE pathways
• Large-school resources and electives

Cons:

• Very large enrollment can stretch counseling
• Outcomes trail the top metro academic schools

Verdict: A resource-rich north-Tulsa school strong on academics and the arts.

8. Deer Creek High School (Edmond)

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Northwest-OKC-metro families wanting a fast-rising academic school

Deer Creek High School serves the Edmond/northwest Oklahoma City area within Deer Creek Public Schools and enrolls about 1,900 students on a fast-growing campus. It posts a graduation rate in the low 90s, a strong AP program, and above-state proficiency rates.

Deer Creek is known for strong STEM, debate, and athletics programs, and its modern facilities support a growing slate of electives. Graduates enroll at the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and out-of-state universities. The student-teacher ratio is about 17:1, and concurrent-enrollment options are widely used.

Pros:

• Graduation rate in the low 90s
• Strong STEM, debate, and athletics
• Modern, growing facilities
• Above-state proficiency rates

Cons:

• Rapid growth pressures capacity
• Shorter academic track record than older schools

Verdict: A fast-rising northwest-metro school with strong academics and modern facilities.

9. Union High School (Tulsa)

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Tulsa-metro families wanting big-school programs and CTE pathways

Union High School serves the Tulsa metro within Union Public Schools and enrolls roughly 3,000 students across its upper-grade campus. It posts a graduation rate in the high 80s, a deep AP and concurrent-enrollment program, and a wide range of CTE pathways.

Union is known for championship athletics, a nationally recognized band, and strong fine arts. Proficiency rates meet or exceed state averages, and graduates enroll at the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and regional universities. The student-teacher ratio is about 18:1, and the large campus supports extensive electives.

Pros:

• Nationally recognized band and championship athletics
• Deep AP and concurrent-enrollment options
• Wide CTE pathways
• Extensive electives and clubs

Cons:

• Very large enrollment can dilute attention
• Outcomes trail the top academic metro schools

Verdict: A large, program-rich Tulsa school strong on athletics, band, and CTE.

10. Bartlesville High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Northeast Oklahoma families wanting strong academics and STEM

Bartlesville High School serves Bartlesville in Washington County within Bartlesville Public Schools and enrolls about 1,800 students. Anchored by a strong local economy, it posts a graduation rate in the high 80s to low 90s, a solid AP program, and above-state proficiency rates.

Bartlesville is known for strong STEM and engineering pathways, competitive athletics, and a respected music program. Graduates enroll at the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and out-of-state universities. The student-teacher ratio is about 17:1, and concurrent-enrollment options extend college access.

Pros:

• Strong STEM and engineering pathways
• Graduation rate in the high 80s to low 90s
• Above-state proficiency rates
• Respected music and athletics programs

Cons:

• Smaller metro limits some elective breadth
• Outcomes trail the largest metro schools

Verdict: The top northeast pick — strong academics and STEM for Bartlesville-area families.

Which One's Right for You?

What to Look For When Choosing a High School

• Academic outcomes that match your student — Compare graduation rates, AP/concurrent-enrollment access, and state proficiency rather than reputation alone. Booker T. Washington and Norman lead on these measures.
• College and career pathways — Look for concurrent-enrollment partnerships with OU and OSU, plus CTE tracks if your student is career- or trade-minded.
• Teacher and counseling resources — A lower student-teacher ratio and solid counseling support matter more than a glossy facility; check how many counselors serve each grade.
• Environment and safety — Review school climate, attendance, and safety reporting through OSDE and GreatSchools, and visit during a school day if possible.
• Program fit — Strong STEM, arts, athletics, or CTE offerings should align with your student's interests, not just the overall ranking.
• Location and access — Commute, transportation, and community support shape daily experience as much as test scores.

What matters less than marketing implies: a school's name recognition, a single year's ranking jump, or stadium upgrades. Graduation rates, AP access, and college matriculation affect outcomes far more.

FAQ

Which is the best public high school in Oklahoma? Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa earns our top spot — a magnet school with a graduation rate near 95%, extensive AP and IB programming, and elite matriculation to OU, OSU, and national universities.

What is the best-value public high school in Oklahoma? Norman High School is the value leader — a free public school with strong academics and outstanding OU dual-credit access, delivering the best outcomes-per-dollar in the state.

Which Oklahoma high schools are strongest in STEM? Booker T. Washington and Norman lead academically, while Jenks, Deer Creek, Stillwater, and Bartlesville offer strong STEM and engineering pathways.

Are these schools free to attend? Yes. All ten are tuition-free public schools, funded through Oklahoma's public education system; families pay only typical activity and supply fees.

Which schools offer the best college dual-credit access? Norman (OU) and Stillwater (OSU) offer the deepest concurrent-enrollment ties, with Edmond, Jenks, and Owasso also providing broad options.

How were these rankings determined? We weighted academic performance, college outcomes, value, teachers and resources, environment and safety, and extracurriculars using data from U.S. News, Niche, GreatSchools, OSDE, the College Board, and NCES.

Bottom Line

For families across Oklahoma, Booker T. Washington High School is our Best Overall public high school — a Tulsa magnet that wins on graduation rate, AP and IB rigor, and elite college matriculation. Norman High School is our Best Value, delivering strong academics and unmatched OU dual-credit access at zero tuition.

If you live in the OKC metro, a college town, or northeast Oklahoma, use the decision tree above to route yourself to Edmond North, Stillwater, Jenks, or Bartlesville. Choose on graduation rates, college pathways, and program fit — not name recognition — and your student will be set up to succeed.

Sources

• U.S. News Education — Best High Schools in Oklahoma
• Niche — Best Public High Schools in Oklahoma
• GreatSchools — Oklahoma school ratings
• Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE)
• College Board — AP and SAT data
• NCES — National Center for Education Statistics
• Tulsa Public Schools
• Norman Public Schools
• Edmond Public Schools
• Jenks Public Schools

*Public high schools in Oklahoma review — best public high schools Oklahoma, rankings, ratings, and a review of the top picks for families.*