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From challenging academic programs to exceptional extracurricular activities, the best public high schools in New York state provide students with the foundation they need to succeed. Whether you’re a parent looking to secure the best education for your child, or a student seeking the ideal environment to foster your academic and personal growth, this list will help you navigate the best public high schools in New York state. (Looking for more geographical specificity? Click here for the best public high schools in NYC.) Because any of these schools will provide a world-class education, this list is arranged alphabetically. Without further ado, let’s get to it.

Best Public High Schools in New York

1)

• Location: Queens
• # of Students: 525
• Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1
• Average Class Size (Chemistry): 30

BSGE’s school profile is a laundry list of impressive accomplishments. To wit, 100% of the school’s graduating seniors were admitted to colleges and universities and 10% of those seniors were admitted to Ivy League institutions. As the first public all-IB school, BSGH offers a six-year program that includes pre-IB, an IB middle years program, and the IB diploma program. As part of their program, every student develops a sense of international understanding, human rights, and responsible global citizenship.

2)

• Location: Bronx
• # of Students: 2,951
• Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1
• Average Class Size (ELA III): 31

Only in the U.S. would a high school brag about the number of Nobel Prize winners that have come through its halls. (If you’re wondering, Bronx High School of Science alumni include 9 Nobel Prize winners, 9 Pulitzer Prize winners, and 3 Turing Award winners.) At the same time, there’s little doubt that the students at Bronx Science represent a rarefied echelon of high school students. The average Bronx Science student has a commute of two hours, but, according to the school, “We’re Worth the Trip.” (I suppose it is, as one of the best public high schools in New York.)

3)

• Location: Bronxville
• # of Students: 518
• Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1
• Average Class Size (Chemistry): 21

Just outside the city (Westchester County), Bronxville High School has a strong music program to complement its excellent academic curriculum. Every year, their middle and high school bands compete in New York State School Music Association competitions, and have won gold several times. All in all, this is certainly one of the best public high schools in New York.

4)

• Location: Brooklyn
• # of Students: 735
• Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
• Average Class Size (Chemistry): 31

While I have my doubts about any school that states upfront that “three hours of homework are expected each night,” TBLS’s academics and extra-curriculars all but guarantee a great college application. Furthermore, I suppose that any student who wants to be able to read Virgil’s Aeneid in the original in their senior year of high school needs to be around like-minded individuals. So, if you’re interested in “developing holistic and well-rounded individuals with a strong sense of self,” you should check out TBLS.

5)

• Location: Brooklyn
• # of Students: 5,810
• Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1
• Average Class Size (ELA III): 33

There’s bragging, and then there’s BTHS’s “we-have-a-fully-functional-courtroom-for-mock-trial-and-law.” During their last two years at Brooklyn Tech, students can apply to one of 18 majors, including aerospace, law and society, and neuroscience. Major placement is determined by the student’s “Power Index,” which ranks every student in the school. Overall, it doesn’t sound like a pressure cooker at all. (I guess that’s the price you pay for attending one of the best public high schools in New York.)

6)

• Location: Harlem
• # of Students: 719
• Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
• Average Class Size (Chemistry): 18

Educating students from 6th to 12th grade, Columbia Secondary School aims to foster “an environment of civic and academic excellence for passionate, creative, and engaged students.” Through the school’s partnership with Columbia University, students have access to Columbia University courses, internships, and job opportunities at the university, as well as admission preference into the Double Discovery Center program.

7)

• Location: Scarsdale
• # of Students: 908 (grades 7-12)
• Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 (grades 7-12)
• Average Class Size (Chemistry): 19

With a  that recalls the halcyon days of the 90’s, Edgemont Junior-Senior HS seems like a wonderful place to spend six years of your adolescence. The Edgemont School District is frequently ranked as one of the best school districts in the nation, and some famous alumni include Rob Morrow (dropped out senior year) and Ben Schwartz.

8)

• Location: Manhattan
• # of Students: 540
• Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
• Average Class Size (ELA III): 27

ERHS leads with its commitment to diversity, acknowledging systemic discrimination and affirming its desire to provide a safe and welcoming environment for students. ERHS offers a comprehensive college-preparatory program with extensive AP offerings, electives, and opportunities for college credit. Some of its electives include Zumba, robotics, and music production.

9)

• Location: Manhattan (Lincoln Square)
• # of Students: 2,144
• Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
• Average Class Size (ELA III): 30

Renowned worldwide as the “Fame” school, LaGuardia is NYC’s only public specialized high school for the arts. Given this focus on the arts, this school has a lower ranking on academic achievement than some of the other schools on the list. That being said, with alumni like Jennifer Aniston, Nicki Minaj, and Oscar-winner Adrien Brody, this school has a proven track record of producing high-caliber talent. It’s no wonder this school is considered one of the best public high schools in New York.

10)

• Location: Manhattan
• # of Students: 579
• Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1
• Average Class Size (Chemistry): 28

High School for Math, Science, and Engineering offers a rigorous STEM curriculum, which also values knowledge and civic responsibility. Additionally, because the founders believe that German is the language of engineering, the school has an extensive German program. They’re even among only 18 US schools that regularly send their students on study trips to Germany with the .

11)

• Location: Bronx
• # of Students: 404
• Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
• Average Class Size (ELA III): 17

Founded in 2002, HSAS puts a special focus on history, particularly American history. What’s more, students are required to take three years of American history and take the AP US History exam at the end of their third year. That’s not to say HSAS neglects math or science — students can take AP Biology and AP Calculus (AB and BC) as well as participate in a wide variety of sports and clubs. At the same time, with only about 400 students, HSAH offers a more intimate high school experience.

12)

• Location: Harlem
• # of Students: 738
• Student-Teacher Ratio: n/a
• Average Class Size: n/a

In some ways, this school is an outlier on this list. First of all, it’s a public (free) charter high school. Second, though it’s frequently ranked among the best public high schools in New York, it has a graduation rate of under 75%. That being said, with a minority enrollment of about 95% and a #1-ranked college readiness index, this school shows that there’s not one single route to academic success.

13)

• Location: Jericho
• # of Students: 1,251
• Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1
• Average Class Size (ELA III): 20

Located on Long Island, Jericho High School offers a rigorous curriculum that helps its students become . In a recent year, their theater program was to stage a production of Frozen. Like me, you’re probably wondering why Jericho High School’s mascot looks exactly like the .

14)

• Location: Brooklyn
• # of Students: 676
• Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1
• Average Class Size (ELA III): 23

As one of the newer selective high schools in New York City, MBHS has a smaller student population and an enviable teacher-to-student ratio. One of MBHS’ signature initiatives is its research program, in which students engage in long-term project-based investigations that support the development of quantitative and qualitative research methods and writing skills. Also interesting is MBHS’ involvement with the Nest program, which accommodates students with autism spectrum disorder. (Because everyone should have access to the best public high schools in New York.)

15)

• Location: Lower East Side
• # of Students: 1734 (K-12)
• Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1
• Average Class Size (Chemistry): 34

As the only gifted and talented school that students can attend from kindergarten through 12th grade, “NEST+M” already stands out from the rest of the schools on this list. Furthermore, as NEST+M is committed to “all forms of giftedness,” the school aims to support students’ growth as “scholars, artists, and citizens of the world.” Some of the dozens of extracurricular clubs recently offered include the Nature Club, Red Cross Club, WE Club, and Blog & Podcast Club — exactly what you’d expect from one of the best public high schools in New York.

16)

• Location: Queens
• # of Students: 498
• Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1
• Average Class Size (ELA III): 29

In a recent year, Queens High School for the Sciences at York College was ranked the best high school in New York and the 25th best high school in the country. In collaboration with York College, students at QHSS can take college classes on Saturdays (as if they didn’t have enough schoolwork). Considering how busy these students are, it’s surprising they can make any time for one of the many clubs offered at QHSS. In recent years, clubs have included the Anime Club, Basketball Club, Dance Club, Drama Club, K-Pop Club, Music Performance Club, Science Club, and Students Who Code.

17)

• Location: Staten Island
• # of Students: 1,404
• Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1
• Average Class Size (ELA III): 29

The curriculum at Staten Island Technical School is college preparatory, with an emphasis on science, math, and engineering. What’s more, their robotics team regularly advances to the semi-finals of the . At the same time, the students at SITHS are also well-rounded — the school offers over 80 extracurriculars for students to choose from, including a strong theater program. Their famous alumni include singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson and baseball player Brian Esposito.

18)

• Location: Manhattan
• # of Students: 3,258
• Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1
• Average Class Size (ELA III): 23

Founded over a century ago, Stuyvesant High School’s motto is “Pro Scientia Atque Sapientia,” which, according to Google, means “for knowledge and wisdom.” With 50% of its students qualifying for free or reduced lunch and 97% of its students taking at least one AP course, there’s no doubt that SHS is both an academic powerhouse and an engine for social mobility.

19)

• Location: Syosset
• # of Students: 2,369
• Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1
• Average Class Size (ELA III): 18

Syosset Senior High School is a bit of an outlier. While its academics might not be the best on the list, it’s absolutely fantastic for creative students. In fact, in 2002, its district was honored by the Kennedy Center for its excellence in arts education. Subsequently, Syosset High School was declared a for its excellent music program. Additionally, Syosset boasts a long list of successful creative alumni, including Natalie Portman, Judd Apatow, and Idina Menzel. It just goes to show that there are many ways to measure what constitutes the best public high school in New York.

20)

• Location: Queens (Flushing)
• # of Students: 1,333
• Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1
• Average Class Size (ELA III): 30

According to its website, the mission of Townsend Harris High School is to “foster a love of learning, to instill the habit of inquiry, and to promote an awareness of beauty in nature and in the arts.” To this end, all students in the entering class swear what’s called the “Ephebic Oath,” which culminates with a promise to “not leave my city any less but rather greater than I found it.” With nearly 84% minority enrollment, THHS aims to graduate talented students who represent the diversity of New York City.

Final Thoughts

By choosing one of the best public high schools in New York, students can set themselves on a path toward success and achievement. That means, if you’re dreaming of attending one of NYC’s specialized high schools but didn’t quite score high enough on the SHSAT, you may be eligible for the . Alternatively, if you’ve scoured the best public schools in New York State and you don’t care for what you see, try the best public schools in NYC or even the best private schools in NYC. You’re sure to find the right school for you.

Looking for more info on educational excellence? Check out the links below.

• 17 Best Performing Arts High Schools in the US
• 20 Best High Schools in North Carolina
• 20 Best Public High Schools in Texas
• Best High Schools in Florida
• 10 Best Online High Schools
• 20 Best Public High Schools in Illinois
• 20 Best Public High Schools in Maryland