Pine View School for the Gifted in Osprey is the top-ranked public high school in Florida and 13th among public schools nationally, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2026-27 Best High Schools rankings released in August.

The ranking places the Sarasota County Schools campus ahead of nearly 18,000 public high schools evaluated nationwide. Central Magnet School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, claimed the No. 1 national spot.

U.S. News evaluated schools on college readiness, state assessment proficiency, college curriculum breadth, underserved student performance and graduation rates, according to reporting from the Democrat and Chronicle on the methodology. More than 27,000 schools were reviewed before the final list was ranked.

Pine View, established in 1969, serves about 1,752 students in grades 2 through 12 at 1 Python Path in Osprey. It is the only full-time school for gifted students in Florida and one of a handful of stand-alone gifted programs in the country. Admission requires a full IQ score of at least 130 under Florida's gifted eligibility criteria.

The school's U.S. News profile describes a curriculum mixing traditional classroom learning with independent study, mini-courses and ungraded classes. Students must maintain a minimum GPA and complete advanced foreign language courses to graduate.

Principal Dr. Stephen Covert attributed the school's consistent high rankings to the work of students and teachers, supported by what he called "incredibly passionate parents," in a statement on the school's website.

The ranking caps a strong stretch for Sarasota County Schools. The district earned its 23rd consecutive "A" grade from the Florida Department of Education in July, with a 32-point jump in its overall accountability score. Superintendent Terry Connor said in July that the results "reflect an extraordinary level of commitment across our district."

Pine View broke new ground athletically, too.

The school launched high school golf and tennis for the first time in its 57-year history during the 2025-26 school year, and the boys tennis team earned a first-place finish in the FHSAA Academic Team Championship Series.

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune first reported the ranking on Friday, Aug. 21. WWSB followed with coverage on Tuesday, Aug. 25. Families interested in Pine View's admissions process can find information on the school's district website.