Best High Schools
in New York, New York
We ranked all 145 high schools in New York. The top 25 scored between 7.9 and 9.2 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and New York education data
New York City's 125 ranked high schools span an enormous range of academic profiles, from selective specialized programs to neighborhood schools serving every corner of the five boroughs. The average composite score across the list sits at 6.8/10, but half of all ranked schools clear the 7.0 mark — a sign that strong options are spread widely across the city, not concentrated in a single district or borough. American Sign Language & English Secondary School leads the rankings at 9.2/10, followed closely by Wadleigh Performing and Visual Arts at 9.1/10 and Community Health Academy of the Heights at 8.8/10. That top-to-bottom spread gives families real choices depending on commute, program focus, and fit. Use the table below to sort by score, location, or other factors to find the schools that match what matters most to your student.
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE & ENGLISH SECONDARY SCHOOL
WADLEIGH PERF AND VISUAL ARTS
COMMUNITY HEALTH ACADEMY OF THE HEIGHTS
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked New York's High Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%) measures standardized test performance in math and reading. Student Growth (20%) tracks improvement over time. Equity (15%) evaluates how well a school serves all student groups. Environment (15%) considers class size, spending, and attendance. All scores are computed within New York so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE & ENGLISH SECONDARY SCHOOL NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 9.2 |
| 2 | WADLEIGH PERF AND VISUAL ARTS NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 3 | 9.1 |
| 3 | COMMUNITY HEALTH ACADEMY OF THE HEIGHTS NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 6 | 8.8 |
| 4 | CENTRAL PARK EAST HIGH SCHOOL NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4 | 8.7 |
| 5 | WEST END SECONDARY SCHOOL NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 3 | 8.6 |
| 6 | URBAN ASSEMBLY ACADEMY OF GOVERNMENT AND LAW NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.5 |
| 7 | THINK GLOBAL SCHOOL | 8.5 |
| 8 | CLINTON SCHOOL (THE) NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.4 |
| 9 | TALENT UNLIMITED HIGH SCHOOL NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.3 |
| 10 | REPERTORY COMPANY HIGH SCHOOL FOR THEATRE ARTS NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.3 |
| 11 | MURRAY HILL ACADEMY NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.3 |
| 12 | PARK EAST HIGH SCHOOL NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4 | 8.3 |
| 13 | MURRY BERGTRAUM HIGH SCHOOL FOR BUSINESS CAREERS NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.2 |
| 14 | URBAN ASSEMBLY GATEWAY SCHOOL FOR TECHNOLOGY NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.2 |
| 15 | ACADEMY FOR SOFTWARE ENGINEERING NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.2 |
| 16 | STEPHEN T MATHER BUILDING ARTS AND CRAFTMANSHIP HIGH SCHOOL NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.2 |
| 17 | UNITY CENTER FOR URBAN TECHNOLOGIES NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.1 |
| 18 | CHELSEA CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.1 |
| 19 | BARUCH COLLEGE CAMPUS HIGH SCHOOL NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.1 |
| 20 | COLUMBIA SECONDARY SCHOOL NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 5 | 8.1 |
| 21 | FUSION ACADEMY MANHATTAN - UPPER WEST SIDE | 8.1 |
| 22 | WINCHENDON SCHOOL-NYC | 8.1 |
| 23 | BARD HIGH SCHOOL EARLY COLLEGE NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 1 | 7.9 |
| 24 | HUMANITIES PREPARATORY ACADEMY NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 7.9 |
| 25 | NYC ISCHOOL NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 7.9 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and New York education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in New York. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 High Schools in New York
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: New York's Top 10 High Schools
Choosing the Right High School in New York
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. New York's high school landscape is one of the most diverse in New York, with 145 schools spanning 59 school districts, plus 8 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best high school in New York, New York?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE & ENGLISH SECONDARY SCHOOL is the top-rated high school in New York with a composite score of 9.2/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
How many high schools are in New York, New York?
New York has 145 high schools, including 8 charter schools. Of these, 145 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in New York?
The average composite score for New York high schools is 6.8/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in New York).
How does MySchoolScout rate high schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and School Environment (15%). All scores are computed within New York, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
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 New York, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the New York high school rankings?
Yes. New York has 8 charter high schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.