Fishers High School and Hamilton Southeastern High School have once again earned recognition among the top public high schools in Indiana and the nation, according to the newly released 2026-27 U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools rankings.

Fishers High School was ranked eighth in Indiana and No. 428 nationally, while Hamilton Southeastern High School placed 12th in the state and No. 736 in the nation. Both schools were also recognized among the top public high schools in the Indianapolis metropolitan area.

The latest rankings represent significant gains from 2023, when Fishers High School ranked No. 740 nationally and Hamilton Southeastern High School was No. 893.

Superintendent Dr. Matt Kegley said the improved rankings reflect both student achievement and a growing willingness among students to challenge themselves academically.

“These rankings reflect the high expectations our students and educators bring to the classroom each day,” Kegley said. “What is especially meaningful is that more students are choosing challenging courses and succeeding at record levels. That speaks to the dedication of our students and staff and our commitment to preparing every student for what comes next.”

The U.S. News & World Report rankings are based on factors including state assessment performance, graduation rates and college readiness, measured largely through Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exam results. District officials noted the rankings do not fully account for dual-credit and concurrent enrollment courses that also allow HSE students to earn college credit while in high school.

The district reported continued growth in AP participation during the 2025-26 school year. A total of 2,801 students completed more than 5,600 AP exams, with 2,448 students earning at least one qualifying score of 3 or higher.

At Fishers High School, a record 1,539 students enrolled in AP coursework and completed 3,253 AP exams. Among graduating seniors, 58 percent earned at least one qualifying AP score, the highest percentage in both school and district history. Since 2022, AP participation at Fishers has increased 21 percent, while the number of exams taken has risen 49 percent.

Hamilton Southeastern High School also posted record results. Fifty-six percent of graduating seniors earned at least one qualifying AP score, the highest in school history. HHS students achieved an 89.3 percent AP exam success rate, the highest in district history. Since 2022, AP participation at the school has increased 38 percent, while the number of qualifying scores has grown 59 percent.