University High School ranked the seventh best high school in California, 79th in the nation, 16th best charter school in America, and the No. 1 best high school in the Fresno metro area in the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings.

The U.S. News rankings include data on nearly 25,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Schools are scored on six factors based on their performance on state assessments and how well they prepare students for college.

University High School received a score of 99.55 out of 100, moving up from last year’s national ranking of No. 92 and charter school ranking of No. 22.

The school received its charter in 2000 and is chartered by the Fresno Unified School District. With an enrollment of 487 students in grades nine through 12, the free, public charter school specializes in music education. Its school board includes several Fresno State faculty members.

As a part of their high school graduation requirements, University High students take Fresno State courses and earn 21 to 30 college credits upon graduation. These credits fulfill 10 out of the 17 general education requirements for the California State University system.