Kings Priory School has been named the best state secondary school in the North East in this year's Real Schools Guide.
The comprehensive guide, which ranks schools based on 51 different key measures, put the Tynemouth school ahead of 2018 winner, Gateshead's Emmanuel College, in second.
Last year's top school, St Mary's Catholic School, in Newcastle fell to seventh place.
Teachers at the academy, formed in 2013 by the merger of an independent school and the town's community primary, say they offer a "commitment to educating the whole child", from their first day in reception until they leave aged 18.
The Christian faith school was described as "Good" by Ofsted inspectors in 2019, who praised the school's "compassionate" teachers and "highly effective" leadership, as well as the above-average exam results.
"Pupils focus well on their studies, care for each other and are well prepared for the next stages in their education, employment or training," inspectors noted.
Find out how good your school is using our interactive search tool.
In their "vision, values and ethos" for the school, its leaders say "every pupil is challenged to excel at all they do" while a "relentless focus on high academic achievement" is balanced with enrichment programmes including music and outdoor learning.
Describing the school on its website, head Philip Sanderson said: "Every visitor to Kings Priory School tells me that the first thing they notice as you step onto either site is the warmth, energy and positivity of both staff and pupils, whether they are four or 18 years old.
"That is because we try our very best to foster relationships marked by kindness, tolerance and respect.
"With these values underlying what we do together, pupils are encouraged and empowered to be ambitious and creative, exploring their learning in real depth and pushing themselves to unlock their full potential to excel in a wide variety of pursuits."
The Real Schools Guide 2020, compiled by Reach's data unit, aims to give a far more comprehensive picture than traditional league tables.
It takes into account 51 different data points - including not just GCSE results and Attainment 8 scores but also factors like Progress 8, pupil-teacher ratios and absence rates.
