Principal Patty Hernandez stands outside RUHS on Blackhawk Technical College’s Beloit-Janesville Campus.
Rock University High School (RUHS), a charter school in the School District of Janesville and a partner of Blackhawk Technical College, has been named No. 20 in U.S. News & World Report's latest Wisconsin state high school rankings.
The top-ranked schools have a high number of students who scored above expectations in math, science, and reading state assessments; passed an array of college-level exams; and graduated in four years. The schools are also evaluated on college readiness, college curriculum breadth, and underserved student performance.
“We are incredibly proud to be in the top 20, which reflects the hard work and commitment of our entire school,” RUHS Principal Patty Hernandez said. “The high rankings reflect the partnership between RUHS, School District of Janesville, and Blackhawk plus the continued support from our families and our governance board.
“We have an incredible chance to continue to climb the ladder. We are helping students find and exhibit the best in themselves.”
Students at RUHS, which sits on Blackhawk’s Beloit-Janesville Campus, have opportunities to take Blackhawk classes while in high school—which can further accelerate their career paths after graduation. Since 2023, 11 graduates also have earned degrees from Blackhawk simultaneously. For the 2025-26 school year, 16 more are expected to earn degrees during their senior year of high school.
RUHS, which boasts a 100% graduation rate, currently has 98 students and offers instruction for grades 9-12. Twenty percent of the school’s student body attends through open enrollment, and the school is still accepting open enrollment applications for the second semester of 2025-26.
Quick facts about RUHS:
- 100% of students take Blackhawk courses
- The total minority enrollment is 26%
- 41% of students are economically disadvantaged
Best High Schools rankings, produced with global research firm RTI International, are available online only. Schools included in the list are ranked on their performance on state-required tests, graduation, and how well they prepare students for college, according to the U.S. News & World Report website. The full list of rankings can be viewed at www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/national-rankings.