August 26, 2025

New York City Metro Area Dominates High School Rankings

News Summary

The New York City metro area has once again showcased its educational excellence, securing a significant number of top spots in U.S. News & World Report’s latest high school rankings. With over 1,000 ranked high schools, this region stands out as the best in the nation, particularly highlighted by Queens High School for the Sciences at York College ranking 25th nationally. Other accolades include impressive graduation rates and AP exam pass rates across various schools, reflecting the region’s dedication to high-quality education and student success.

New York City

U.S. News & World Report has unveiled its annual ranking of America’s best high schools for the academic year 2025-2026, highlighting the New York City metro area’s remarkable performance. The region, which also includes parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, boasts over 1,000 ranked schools, more than any other metropolitan area in the nation. Notably, 41% of these schools have achieved a place in the top quarter of the national rankings.

Leading the list in New York is Queens High School for the Sciences at York College, which ranks 25th nationally. This institution is distinguished by its exceptional 100% graduation rate and an impressive 99% of students passing at least one Advanced Placement (AP) exam. The top ten high schools in New York City and Long Island are as follows:

1. Queens High School for the Sciences at York College, Queens
2. High School Math Science and Engineering at CCNY, Manhattan
3. Stuyvesant High School, Manhattan
4. Staten Island Technical High School, Staten Island
5. Bronx High School of Science, Bronx
6. High School of American Studies at Lehman College, Bronx
7. Brooklyn Latin School, Brooklyn
8. Brooklyn Technical High School, Brooklyn
9. Success Academy High School of the Liberal Arts, Manhattan
10. Townsend Harris High School, Queens

In Long Island, the highest-ranking schools included:

1. Jericho Senior High School
2. Garden City High School
3. Great Neck South High School
4. Manhasset Secondary School
5. Wheatley School (Old Westbury)
6. Cold Spring Harbor High School
7. Syosset Senior High School
8. Herricks High School (New Hyde Park)
9. Harborfields High School (Greenlawn)
10. Roslyn High School

The national rankings compiled by U.S. News assess nearly 18,000 public high schools across the United States. Factors influencing the rankings include college preparedness, state test scores in subjects like math, science, and reading, as well as performance on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams, graduation rates, and outcomes for underrepresented student groups.

The highest-ranking school in America is BASIS Tucson North, located in Arizona. The report also sheds light on New Jersey’s impressive educational landscape, as 40% of its high schools made it into the top quarter of the national rankings. Among the notable New Jersey schools are:

High Technology High School in Lincroft, which ranked 27th nationally
Bergen County Academies at 41st
Edison Academy Magnet School at 59th
Dr. Ronald E. McNair High School at 77th

Additionally, the Success Academy High School of the Liberal Arts has earned a place as the ninth best school in New York City, notable for its different admissions approach as it does not require students to take the Specialized High School Admissions Test. Recent performance data shows that Success Academy students have consistently outperformed their public school counterparts on state exams, with pass rates that are nearly double that of other schools. Success Academy operates a system of 59 schools and currently enrolls approximately 22,000 students, whereas the New York City Department of Education oversees about 1.1 million students across 1,800 schools.

This extensive ranking and analysis provide valuable insights into the state of high school education within the New York City metro area and beyond. The data speaks to both the successes and challenges faced by schools as they strive to prepare students for post-secondary opportunities and future careers.

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Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER

NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.

STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER

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