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View the 2016 Top Public High Schools

By U.S. News & World Report

Explore the Best High Schools

U.S. News evaluated more than 28,000 schools for the 2016 Best High Schools rankings. These 10 schools scored the highest out of the 500 top-ranked gold medal schools.

10. Carnegie Vanguard High School

Carnegie Vanguard High School is a Texas school for talented and gifted teens. Students can take either pre-Advanced Placement or AP courses.

Learn more about Carnegie Vanguard High School.

9. International Academy

All students at the International Academy in Michigan follow the International Baccalaureate middle years and diploma programs.

Learn more about the International Academy.

8. Academic Magnet High School

All academic courses at Academic Magnet High School are Advanced Placement or honors level. With the assistance of a mentor, students at the South Carolina high school have to complete a yearlong research project before graduation, according to the school’s website.

Learn more about Academic Magnet High School.

7. Pine View School

Pine View School is a public school for gifted students in Florida. Students are admitted based on a series of tests, recommendations and other data, according to the school’s website. Students can be referred to the school by parents, teachers and administrators.

Learn more about Pine View School.

6. BASIS Oro Valley

BASIS Oro Valley was founded in 2010 and serves students from grades six through 12 in Tucson, Arizona. Students take honors and Advanced Placement courses.

Learn more about BASIS Oro Valley.

5. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

In Virginia, TJHSST offers a STEM-focused curriculum and houses 15 specialized research labs, including ones dedicated to astrophysics, microelectronics and oceanography.

Learn more about Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

4. School of Science and Engineering

This Texas school focuses on preparing its students to compete globally in science and engineering. Students can take accelerated classes in science, English, math and computer science, allowing them to move at their own pace.

Learn more about the School of Science and Engineering.

3. BASIS Tucson North

In Arizona, BASIS Tucson North has the largest campus of the BASIS charter schools. AP exams are required and paid for by the school.

Learn more about BASIS Tucson North.

2. BASIS Scottsdale

BASIS Scottsdale is one of more than a dozen BASIS charter schools located in Arizona. The high school offers a variety of honors and Advanced Placement courses for students.

Learn more about BASIS Scottsdale.

1. School for the Talented and Gifted

This Dallas high school follows Texas’ Distinguished Achievement Program. Most of the academic courses are Advanced Placement, including electives.

Learn more about the School for the Talented and Gifted.

More About the Best High Schools

For more Best High Schools rankings and data, check out the top charter schools and top magnet schools.

Read our High School Notes blog to stay up to date on high school news. Connect with U.S. News Education on Facebook, or tweet @USNewsEducation using the hashtag #BestHighSchools to share your thoughts on the rankings.

More from U.S. News

2016 Best High Schools Demographic Breakdown

How U.S. News Calculated the 2016 Best High Schools Rankings

How States Compare in the 2016 Best High Schools Rankings

View the 2016 Top Public High Schools originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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