This study compared selected musical, educational, and social characteristics of high schools ranked highest in "Newsweek" and "U.S. News & World Report." Questions addressed were (a) How are the top-ranked schools similar or different in educational, musical, and social characteristics? (b) What music courses are offered at each high school? (c) What types of performances do the music classes present each year? (d) What (if any) are the qualifications for students to be enrolled in music classes at each school? (e) How many students are enrolled in each school and in the corresponding music classes? (f) How do the music programs reflect each school in general? Results of questionnaires indicated music programs were a viable curricular component of each school, including the International Baccalaureate and science, technology, engineering, and math campuses. Most schools and their music programs were educationally and culturally diverse. Music curricula were varied and considered important to the total school environment.