The top-rated high schools in Boston for 2026 are Boston Latin School (7.8/10), Quincy Upper School (6.4/10), and Boston Arts Academy (5.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 6 high schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Boston's six ranked high schools post an average composite score of 7.4/10 — a strong baseline that reflects the city's academic expectations. Quincy Upper School leads the list at 8.4/10, a full point above the field, while four other schools hold scores at or above the 7.0 mark, meaning 83% of ranked schools clear that threshold. The mix spans traditional college-prep, arts-focused, and career-pathway programs, giving families real options depending on a student's interests and goals. Boston Latin School, one of the country's oldest public schools, sits alongside newer specialized programs like Boston Arts Academy and the Kennedy Academy for Health Careers. Scores in the table reflect composite ratings built from academic performance, student outcomes, and other measurable factors. Use the sortable columns below to rank schools by the metrics that matter most to your family.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Massachusetts education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in Massachusetts. Learn about our methodology.
Boston
2,401 students · 18.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 7th–12th
Top 21% in Massachusetts
Boston
532 students · 10.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–12th
Top 48% in Massachusetts
Boston
473 students · 9.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 60% in Massachusetts
Edward M. Kennedy Academy For Health Careers (horace Mann Ch
375 students · 10.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 84% in Massachusetts · charter
Boston
445 students · 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 89% in Massachusetts
Boston
308 students · 11.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 91% in Massachusetts
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Boston Latin School is the top-rated high school in Boston with a composite score of 7.8/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
Boston has 13 high schools, including 1 charter schools. Of these, 13 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
Among 13 Boston high schools with a composite score, the average is 6.3/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Massachusetts).
Schools with enough data receive a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within Massachusetts, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Massachusetts, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Boston has 1 charter high schools in its directory. Charter schools that meet this ranking's data requirements are included alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Best schools
Massachusetts consistently ranks among the top states for public education. Explore the highest-rated schools and districts for 2026 across Greater Boston, the South Shore, and Western Mass.