Best High Schools
in New York, New York
We ranked the 143 high schools in New York with real test data. The top 25 scored between 8.1 and 9.5 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and New York education data
The short answer
The top-rated high schools in New York for 2026 are Central Park East High School (9.5/10), Bard High School Early College (9.1/10), and Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts (9.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 143 rated high schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a high school in New York?
Every high school in New York is scored 1–10 on the same four measures. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then weigh the tradeoffs a single score can't capture.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Central Park East High School
New York, NY. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Bard High School Early College
New York, NY. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts
New York, NY. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
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.
Central Park East High School
Bard High School Early College
Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts
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 with weights that vary by school level: Student Growth tracks improvement over time and counts most in elementary and middle grades. Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement measures standardized test performance in math and reading against socioeconomic expectations. Environment considers class size, spending, and attendance. College Readiness joins the composite for high schools. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. All scores are computed within New York so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 143 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Park East High School NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4 | 9.5 |
| 2 | Bard High School Early College NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 1 | 9.1 |
| 3 | Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 5 | 9.1 |
| 4 | Nyc Museum School NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.8 |
| 5 | High School for Dual Language and Asian Studies NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.8 |
| 6 | Institute for Collaborative Education NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.7 |
| 7 | Eleanor Roosevelt High School NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.7 |
| 8 | University Neighborhood High School NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 1 | 8.6 |
| 9 | Baruch College Campus High School NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.6 |
| 10 | Unity Center for Urban Technologies NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.5 |
| 11 | Talent Unlimited High School NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.5 |
| 12 | Nyc Lab High School for Collaborative Studies NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.5 |
| 13 | Clinton School (the) NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.5 |
| 14 | Urban Assembly School of Business for Young Women NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.5 |
| 15 | Fiorello H Laguardia High School NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 3 | 8.5 |
| 16 | Park East High School NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4 | 8.5 |
| 17 | Think Global School | 8.5 |
| 18 | Manhattan/hunter Science High School NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 3 | 8.4 |
| 19 | High School for Health Professions & Human Services NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.3 |
| 20 | Urban Assembly Gateway School for Technology NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.3 |
| 21 | Stuyvesant High School NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.2 |
| 22 | Essex Street Academy NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.2 |
| 23 | High School Mathematics Science and Engineering at Ccny NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 5 | 8.2 |
| 24 | Manhattan Village Academy NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2 | 8.1 |
| 25 | Fusion Academy Manhattan - Upper West Side | 8.1 |
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, Central Park East High School is the top-rated high school in New York with a composite score of 9.5/10. 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.
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 6.9/10. 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 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 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.