Top 10 OC Public High Schools*

​* based on state rankings

The California Department of Education's just-released Academic Performance Index (API) rankings show 120 of 554 Orange County schools rank among the state's best. And 82 schools received the highest ranking when compared with schools with similar demographics.

The Orange County Register talked with principals of two schools that showed up on both lists.

Of course, rating schools based on an index created by test scores is unfair. But don't let that stop you from looking at the creamiest of the cream at the top. What follows are the 10 best OC public high schools based on their 2009 base API.

1.) Oxford Academy, Cypress (983)

2.) Troy High, Fullerton (925)

3.) University High, Irvine (903)

4.) Northwood High, Irvine (886)

5.) Orange County High School of the Arts, Santa Ana (882)

6.) Corona del Mar High (877)

7.) Los Alamitos High (871)

8.) Fountain Valley High (870)

9.) La Quinta High, Westminster (867)

10.) (tie) Irvine High (864)
            San Joaquin High (alternative education), Irvine (864)