The best high schools in New York City can vary dramatically in terms of their prestige, resources, and student body. But regardless of where you live, there is a high school out there that is perfect for you. Here are five of the best high schools in New York City.
Students in New York who are economically disadvantaged or academically underperforming may be eligible for grants to attend a college in the state. The Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) provides financial assistance to students who meet certain criteria, including being from a low-income or economically disadvantaged family.
Here are the 5 top high schools in New York City, along with their New York state and national rankings:
#1 Townsend Harris High School
Townsend Harris High School is one of the most prestigious schools in New York City.
#2 Queens High School for the Sciences
Queens High School for the Sciences at York College is the second-best high school in New York according to the 2018 rankings by the U.S.
#3 Stuyvesant High School
Stuyvesant High School, located in Manhattan, is considered to be the best high school in New York City.
#4 High School Math Science and Engineering at CCNY
The City College of New York (CCNY) is a prestigious and highly rated four-year college located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.
#5 Bronx High School of Science
Bronx High School of Science, located in the Bronx, is known as one of the best high schools in New York City
#1 Townsend Harris High School
Townsend Harris High School is one of the best high schools in New York City. The school was founded in 1899 and has a rich history. The school offers great education with plenty of opportunities for students to get involved in extracurricular activities. Townsend Harris has a strong emphasis on community service, which helps to give the students a real sense of responsibility and civic engagement. The school also has a very diverse student body, which makes it an excellent place to learn and grow.
Townsend Harris High School is one of the most prestigious schools in New York City. The school was ranked nineteenth in the national rankings by U.S. News & World Report. This ranking is based on the school’s performance on state-required tests, graduation, and enrollment rates. The school has a large number of successful alumni that continue to make a mark in their fields.
All Rankings
- #19in National Rankings
- #1in New York High Schools
- #1in New York, NY Metro Area High Schools
- #1in New York City Public Schools High Schools
- #203in STEM High Schools
SCORECARD
- 100% Took at Least One AP® Exam
- 97% Passed at Least One AP® Exam
- 99% Mathematics Proficiency
- 100% Reading Proficiency
- 98% Science Proficiency
- 100% Graduation Rate
Ranking Factors
Townsend Harris High School is one of the top high schools in New York state. The school was ranked number one in New York by Niche and was nationally ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the best high school in New York. The school has been consistently ranked among the top schools in the United States and is currently ranked number 17,843 out of 1,212 schools nationwide. Townsend Harris High School offers a variety of programs that are geared toward preparing students for college or a career. The school also has a strong arts program that provides students with opportunities to develop their creative abilities.
| RANKING FACTORS | NATIONAL | STATE |
|---|---|---|
| College Readiness Index Rank | #51 | #7 |
| College Curriculum Breadth Index Rank | #52 | #7 |
| State Assessment Proficiency Rank | #54 | #3 |
| State Assessment Performance Rank | #54 | #2 |
| Graduation Rate Rank | #1,283 (tie) | #35 (tie) |
School Data
Townsend Harris High School is one of the best high schools in New York City. It has a rich history and is known for its innovative curriculum. The school offers a variety of opportunities for students to get involved and develop their skills. It has a strong alumni network, which supports the school and helps it to continue to thrive.
| Type | Public (magnet) Secondary |
|---|---|
| Established | 1904, refounded 1984 |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | 1108 |
| Color(s) | Crimson and gold |
| Mascot | Hawks |
| Newspaper | The Classic |
| Yearbook | The Crimson and Gold |
#2 Queens High School for the Sciences
Queens High School for the Sciences is the best high school in New York City. With a consistently excellent academic record, outstanding extracurricular programs, and top-notch faculty, QHSSS is a dynamic and stimulating place to learn. The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with a focus on science, math, and engineering. The faculty are world-class experts in their fields and they are committed to helping students achieve their goals.
Queens High School for the Sciences at York College is the second-best high school in New York according to the 2018 rankings by U.S. News and World Report. The rankings consider five components of a school including academics, arts and sciences, facilities, leadership and management, and engagement with the community. Queens HSTS has been ranked #2 in all five categories. Students have access to more than 100 Advanced Placement courses that provide opportunities for college credit. The school also offers dual enrollment programs with colleges such as Columbia University and Yale University. In addition, there are many extracurricular activities available such as robotics, theatre productions, and music groups that give students the opportunity to develop skills that will be useful after they graduate from high school.
Queens High School for the Sciences at York College 2022 Rankings
Queens High School for the Sciences at York College is ranked 25 in the National Rankings. Schools are ranked on their performance on state-required tests and how well they prepare their students for college. QHSS consistently outperforms other schools in New York City and is one of only a handful of high schools in the country that is nationally ranked in every subject area. This success can be attributed to the rigorous curriculum, supportive staff, and rich extracurricular opportunities that are available to its students.
All Rankings
- #25 in National Rankings
- #2 in New York High Schools
- #3 in New York, NY Metro Area High Schools
- #2 in New York City Public Schools High Schools
- #248 in STEM High Schools
SCORECARD
- 100% Took at Least One AP® Exam
- 100% Passed at Least One AP® Exam
- 99% Mathematics Proficiency
- 100% Reading Proficiency
- 99% Science Proficiency
- 100% Graduation Rate
Ranking Factors
Since 1992, Queens High School for the Sciences at York College has consistently placed among the top 1,200 high schools in the nation. In 2016, QHS was ranked as the best high school in New York by U.S. News & World Report.
In addition to national rankings, QHS also ranks highly statewide. In 2017, QHS ranked 5th out of 1,212 schools statewide on The Daily News annual list of “Best High Schools in New York.”
QHS is a selective school and enrolls a relatively small number of students each year – just over 1,100 students this past year – but the quality of education they receive is exceptional nonetheless.
| RANKING FACTORS | NATIONAL | STATE |
|---|---|---|
| College Readiness Index Rank | #1 (tie) | #1 (tie) |
| College Curriculum Breadth Index Rank | #44 | #3 |
| State Assessment Proficiency Rank | #138 | #9 |
| State Assessment Performance Rank | #77 | #6 |
| Graduation Rate Rank | #1 (tie) | #1 (tie) |
School Data
School profile information is based on government data.
| Another name | QHSS or QHSSYC |
|---|---|
| School type | Public, selective school |
| Established | 2002; 20 years ago |
| Oversight | NYC Department of Education |
| School number | 687 |
| CEEB code | 332549 |
| Principal | Ana De Jesús |
| Teaching staff | 27.01 (FTE) (2018–19) |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Gender | Co-educational |
| Number of students | 475 (2018–19) |
| Student-to-teacher ratio | 17.59:1 (2018–19) |
| Color(s) | Red White Black |
| Mascot | Cardinal |
| Publication | Veritas (literary magazine) |
| Newspaper | The Cardinal |
#3 Stuyvesant High School
Stuyvesant High School, located in Manhattan, is considered to be the best high school in New York City. The school has a rich history and has produced many successful professionals, including Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Billionaire businessman Michael Bloomberg. The school’s selective admissions process ensures that only the best students are able to attend.
Stuyvesant High School is located in Manhattan and has a rich history. The school was founded in 1847, making it one of the oldest high schools in New York City. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP article. offers students unique opportunities to gain college credit while still attending high school. Additionally, Stuyvesant offers a variety of extracurricular activities which allow students to connect with each other and explore their interests.
Stuyvesant High School 2022 Rankings
Stuyvesant High School is the best high school in New York City according to the 2022 rankings released by The Daily Beast. The publication analyzed data from more than 1,200 schools across the country and awarded points for academics, college readiness, extracurriculars, and diversity. Stuyvesant scored highly in all categories with a total of 990 points. This makes it the only high school in New York City to crack the top 10 on all counts. Other top-notch schools include Bronx Science (10th), Brooklyn Technical HS (8th), Hunter College HS (7th), and Manhattan School of Music (6th).
All Rankings
- #36 in National Rankings
- #3 in New York High Schools
- #4 in New York, NY Metro Area High Schools
- #3 in New York City Public Schools High Schools
- #27 in STEM High Schools
SCORECARD
- 93% Took at Least One AP® Exam
- 91% Passed at Least One AP® Exam
- 100% Mathematics Proficiency
- 100% Reading Proficiency
- 99% Science Proficiency
- 99% Graduation Rate
Ranking Factors
Stuyvesant High School was ranked as the best high school in New York by U.S. News & World Report in their 2018 edition of America’s Best High Schools. The magazine uses a “tiered” system, with Tier 1 representing the top 5% of schools nationally and Tier 5 representing the bottom 5%. Stuyvesant was ranked as Tier 1 and is one of only seventeen schools nationwide to be rated in this category. The magazine also rates Stuyvesant as one of the most diverse high schools in the country, with more than 60% of students coming from minority backgrounds.
| RANKING FACTORS | NATIONAL | STATE |
|---|---|---|
| College Readiness Index Rank | #96 | #15 |
| College Curriculum Breadth Index Rank | #117 | #14 |
| State Assessment Proficiency Rank | #32 | #2 |
| State Assessment Performance Rank | #75 | #5 |
| Graduation Rate Rank | #1,636 (tie) | #54 (tie) |
School Data
School profile information is based on government data.
| School type | Selective school |
|---|---|
| Motto | Latin: Pro Scientia Atque Sapientia (For knowledge and wisdom) |
| Established | 1904; 118 years ago |
| School district | New York City Department of Education |
| School number | M475 |
| CEEB code | 334070[4] |
| NCES School ID | 360007702877 |
| Principal | Seung Yu |
| Faculty | 154.52 (on FTE basis) |
| Enrollment | 3,344 |
| Student-to-teacher ratio | 21.64 |
| Color(s) | Red, blue, white |
| Athletics conference | PSALM |
| Mascot | Pegleg Pete |
| Nickname | Stuy |
| Team name | Pegleg’s |
| USNWR ranking | 25 |
| Newspaper | The Spectator |
| Yearbook | The Indicator |
| Nobel laureates | 4 |
#4 High School Math Science and Engineering at CCNY
The City College of New York (CCNY) is a prestigious and highly rated four-year college located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. CCNY’s Mathematics Science and Engineering program ranks fourth in New York according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2018 “Best Colleges” rankings. This high ranking reflects the excellent quality of CCNY’s mathematics, science, and engineering courses and the opportunities that students have to gain advanced placement course credits. Furthermore, the career-focused curriculum includes important internship and job opportunities that give students real-world experience. The program also offers unique opportunities for study abroad, such as an annual summer semester in China, which helps students develop fluency in Mandarin.
CCNY, known for its outstanding undergraduate and graduate programs in the arts and sciences, offers rigorous yet challenging math and science program. The high school offers an A-grade in math and science, with five Advanced Placement (AP) classes offered in both subjects. In addition to the AP courses, CCNY also offers two Honors level classes: calculus AB and calculus BC.
The math and science curriculum at CCNY is based on the New York State Standards and includes rigorous coursework in mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, and engineering. In addition to strong math skills, students are expected to develop critical thinking skills as they explore complex scientific theories.
The CCNY math program is divided into three strands: pre-calculus through real analysis; calculus I-IV; and differential equations.
High School Math Science and Engineering at CCNY 2022 Rankings
The City College of New York (CCNY) is a prestigious and highly rated four-year college located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. CCNY’s Mathematics Science and Engineering program ranks fourth in New York according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2018 “Best Colleges” rankings. This high ranking reflects the excellent quality of CCNY’s mathematics, science, and engineering courses and the opportunities that students have to gain advanced placement course credits. Furthermore, the career-focused curriculum includes important internship and job opportunities that give students real-world experience. The program also offers unique opportunities for study abroad, such as an annual summer semester in China, which helps students develop fluency in Mandarin.
All Rankings
- #38 in National Rankings
- #4 in New York High Schools
- #5 in New York, NY Metro Area High Schools
- #4 in New York City Public Schools High Schools
- #206 in STEM High Schools
SCORECARD
- 100% Took at Least One AP® Exam
- 98% Passed at Least One AP® Exam
- 100% Mathematics Proficiency
- 100% Reading Proficiency
- 98% Science Proficiency
- 99% Graduation Rate
Ranking Factors
The City College of New York (CCNY) is a top-rated institution providing rigorous and challenging math and science courses that have favorably positioned the school to compete nationally and statewide. CCNY’s math and science courses consistently rank high nationally, as well as statewide. For example, in 2018, CCNY’s math courses ranked 9th nationally and 2nd statewide. Additionally, CCNY’s engineering courses also rank high nationally and are in the top tier for selectivity. In 2018, CCNY’s engineering programs ranked 10th nationally and 1st statewide. These rankings underscore the quality of education that students can receive at CCNY.
| RANKING FACTORS | NATIONAL | STATE |
|---|---|---|
| College Readiness Index Rank | #45 | #5 |
| College Curriculum Breadth Index Rank | #47 | #5 |
| State Assessment Proficiency Rank | #99 | #5 |
| State Assessment Performance Rank | #157 | #12 |
| Graduation Rate Rank | #1,494 (tie) | #49 (tie) |
School Data
School profile information is based on government data.
| Type | Selective school |
|---|---|
| Established | 2002 |
| Principal | Sean Dolce |
| Faculty | approx. 53 |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Number of students | 492 |
| Team name | Dragons |
#5 Bronx High School of Science
Bronx High School of Science, located in the Bronx, is known as one of the best high schools in New York City. The school has a diverse population and offers a variety of programs that appeal to students. The school also has a rich history and is known for its strong academics. In addition, Bronx HSOS offers numerous opportunities for extracurricular involvement, including clubs and sports teams.
The Bronx High School of Science has been ranked fifth in New York according to the 2018 Best High Schools Rankings released by The Washington Post. This is an impressive accomplishment for a high school in the Bronx, and it is reflective of the quality of education that students have access to here.
Advanced Placement (AP) coursework and exams are available at Bronx HS of Science, which allows students to obtain college credit while still in high school. This program offers a world-class education, and it is especially valuable for students who want to pursue higher education opportunities later on.
If you are looking for a top-tier high school in New York City, then you should definitely consider enrolling your child here at Bronx HS of Science.
Bronx High School of Science 2022 Rankings
Bronx High School of Science is ranked 41 in the National Rankings. Schools are ranked on their performance on state-required tests, graduation, and h. The school has a 98% graduation rate and a 95% matriculation rate. It has also been recognized as one of the best high schools in New York City.
All Rankings
- #41 in National Rankings
- #5 in New York High Schools
- #6 in New York, NY Metro Area High Schools
- #5 in New York City Public Schools High Schools
- #29 in STEM High Schools
SCORECARD
- 97% Took at Least One AP® Exam
- 95% Passed at Least One AP® Exam
- 100% Mathematics Proficiency
- 100% Reading Proficiency
- 99% Science Proficiency
- 100% Graduation Rate
Ranking Factors
Bronx High School of Science is one of the best high schools in New York according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Out of 1,212 schools in New York ranked by NAEP, Bronx HSoS scored at or above the national average in reading, math, and science. The school also performed better than most schools in New York City and statewide.
| RANKING FACTORS | NATIONAL | STATE |
|---|---|---|
| College Readiness Index Rank | #73 | #11 |
| College Curriculum Breadth Index Rank | #48 | #6 |
| State Assessment Proficiency Rank | #69 | #4 |
| State Assessment Performance Rank | #152 | #11 |
| Graduation Rate Rank | #1,298 (tie) | #37 (tie) |
School Data
School profile information is based on government data.
| Other names | Bronx ScienceScience |
|---|---|
| Type | Selective school |
| Motto | “Inquire, Discover, Create” |
| Established | 1938 |
| Founder | Morris Meister |
| School district | NYCDOE Region 10 |
| School number | X445 |
| NCES School ID | 360008701922 |
| Principal | Rachel Hoyle |
| Teaching staff | 137.47 (on an FTE basis) |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | 2,983 (2019–2020) |
| Student-to-teacher ratio | 21.66 |
| Color(s) | Green and Gold |
| Athletics conference | PSALM |
| Nickname | Wolverines |
| Newspaper | The Science Survey |
| Yearbook | The Observatory |
| Affiliation | National Consortium of Secondary STEM School |
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the best high school in New York is undoubtedly Stuyvesant High School. With a rich history and impressive alumni list, Stuyvesant is the perfect place for students looking to pursue a career in the arts or sciences. With its challenging curriculum and vibrant community, Stuyvesant is sure to challenge and inspire its students. It’s clear that this prestigious institution knows what it takes to educate future leaders.
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