Jun 08, 2016 11:19 AM EDT By Marcus Vaflor, UniversityHerald Reporter

More students are choosing to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) courses. With the boom, high schools have also begun to place greater emphasis on providing a more STEM-based curriculum.

U.S. News & World Report has listed the top 10 STEM public high schools for 2016. The rankings were based on the schools' STEM-based curriculum and the rate of student participation. To be eligible for the rankings, the schools also had to be included in the Top 500 High Schools across the country.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the median pay of STEM graduates is almost twice the average salary of other occupations.

No. 1 - High Technology High School, Lincroft, New Jersey

With a STEM Index score of 98, High Technology High School offers mainly engineering courses, including civil engineering, architecture, computer integrated manufacturing, and digital electronics.

No. 2 - Early College at Guilford, North Carolina

Aside from its STEM Index score of 96, Early College at Guilford also ranks No. 1 among North Carolina high schools. Enrolled students have the chance to enlist in the Advanced Placement (AP) course and take the exams. The participation rate is 98 percent.

No. 3 - Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Virginia

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology offers a STEM-intensive curriculum which begins with its Integrated Biology, English and Technology course. Facilities include 10 specialized research laboratories for various subjects including astrophysics and oceanography. It has a STEM Index Score of 95.8.

No. 4 - BASIS Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona

The school has a STEM Index score of 95.6. It also ranks first among Arizona schools, and has an AP course work and exams participation rate of 100 percent.

No.5 - Whitney High School, Cerritos, California

With a STEM Index score of 92, Whitney High School offers students an array of honor programs and AP courses such as computer science, physics and Model United Nations.

No. 6 - BASIS Tucson North, Tucson, Arizona

BASIS Tucson North is ranked No. 2 among Arizona schools and has a STEM Index score of 89.9. Student participation rate for the AP course is 100 percent.

No. 7 - Raleigh Charter High School, Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh Charter High School has a STEM Index score of 89.8 and AP course participation rate of 96 percent. It is also ranked second among

No. 8 - International Community School, Kirkland, Washington

With a STEM Index score of 89.7, International Community school's curriculum places emphasis on international studies, humanities, world languages, the arts, sciences and math. Advanced years are offered an honors or AP course.

No. 9 - Academy of Allied Health and Science

Ranked ninth with a STEM Index score of 89.1 and 189th among high schools at the national level, Academy of Allied Health and Science offers its students the chance to take the AP course work and exams. The participation rate is 71 percent.

No. 10 - Troy High School

Troy High School has a STEM Index score of 89.1 and is ranked 432nd among high schools at the national level. Participation rate among students for the AP course is 61 percent.

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