Nova Classical Academy Upper School Ranked #2 High School in Minnesota

Nova Classical Academy Upper School in St. Paul has been named the #2 high school in Minnesota in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools rankings, highlighting the school’s strong academic performance and commitment to college preparation. The public charter school also earned a spot among the top high schools in the nation, ranking #134 nationally in the 2025–2026 rankings. The annual report evaluates thousands of public high schools across the United States using metrics such as college readiness, graduation rates, and performance on state assessments. Located in St. Paul, Nova Classical Academy Upper School serves high school students as part of a larger charter school system that emphasizes a classical education model. The curriculum focuses on rigorous academics, critical thinking, and a strong foundation in literature, history, mathematics, and science. The school enrolls just under 300 high school students and maintains a 97% graduation rate, reflecting its strong academic outcomes and high level of student achievement.  Many students also take advantage of college-level coursework, with a significant percentage participating in Advanced Placement classes to earn college credit while still in high school.Academic performance at Nova Classical Academy Upper School consistently exceeds state averages. Students demonstrate strong proficiency rates in core subjects such as math, reading, and science, helping place the school among the top-performing public schools in Minnesota. In addition to academics, Nova Classical offers a variety of extracurricular opportunities including debate, robotics, theater, athletics, and academic clubs that support student engagement and leadership development. The recognition places Nova Classical Academy Upper School among the best schools in the state and the country, just behind St. Croix Preparatory Academy Upper in Stillwater in the Minnesota rankings. For families considering a move to Minnesota, rankings like these highlight the strength of the state’s education system and the wide range of high-quality schools available to students throughout the Twin Cities and beyond.