Best High Schools
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
We ranked all 89 high schools in Philadelphia. The top 25 scored between 7.0 and 8.6 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Pennsylvania education data
Philadelphia's 68 ranked high schools span a meaningful range of quality, with the average composite score sitting at 6.2 out of 10. That gap between the middle of the pack and the top tier is worth paying attention to: Hill Freedman World Academy leads all schools with an 8.6, followed closely by Bodine William W HS at 8.4 and The Science Leadership Academy at Beeber at 8.1. Lankenau HS and Science Leadership Academy round out the top five. Twenty schools — 29% of the ranked total — score 7 or higher, meaning strong options exist across the city, but they require some digging to find. The table below lets you sort by composite score, academics, and other dimensions so you can zero in on what matters most for your student. Use the filters to narrow by neighborhood or school type and identify the best fit from a genuinely competitive field.
Hill Freedman World Academy
THE CREFELD SCHOOL
Bodine William W HS
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Philadelphia'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 Pennsylvania so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hill Freedman World Academy Philadelphia City SD | 8.6 |
| 2 | THE CREFELD SCHOOL | 8.6 |
| 3 | Bodine William W HS Philadelphia City SD | 8.4 |
| 4 | The Science Leadership Academy at Beeber Philadelphia City SD | 8.1 |
| 5 | Lankenau HS Philadelphia City SD | 8.0 |
| 6 | Science Leadership Academy Philadelphia City SD | 7.9 |
| 7 | Motivation HS Philadelphia City SD | 7.7 |
| 8 | Academy at Palumbo Philadelphia City SD | 7.6 |
| 9 | WEST CATHOLIC PREPARATORY H.S. | 7.6 |
| 10 | TECH Freire CS Charter TECH Freire CS | 7.5 |
| 11 | Central HS Philadelphia City SD | 7.5 |
| 12 | Philadelphia Learning Academy - West Philadelphia City SD | 7.4 |
| 13 | ANTHONY WAYNE ACADEMY | 7.4 |
| 14 | National Constitution Center HS Philadelphia City SD | 7.3 |
| 15 | Franklin LC Philadelphia City SD | 7.3 |
| 16 | INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL | 7.3 |
| 17 | MERCY CAREER & TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL | 7.2 |
| 18 | LIGUORI ACADEMY | 7.2 |
| 19 | Randolph A. Philip Area Vocational-Technical High School Philadelphia City SD | 7.1 |
| 20 | Overbrook HS Philadelphia City SD | 7.1 |
| 21 | The U School: Innovative Lab Philadelphia City SD | 7.1 |
| 22 | Mastery CHS-Lenfest Campus Charter Mastery CHS-Lenfest Campus | 7.0 |
| 23 | Sayre William L MS Philadelphia City SD | 7.0 |
| 24 | Northeast HS Philadelphia City SD | 7.0 |
| 25 | Creative and Performing Arts Philadelphia City SD | 7.0 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Pennsylvania education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in Pennsylvania. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 High Schools in Philadelphia
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Philadelphia's Top 10 High Schools
Choosing the Right High School in Philadelphia
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Philadelphia's high school landscape is one of the most diverse in Pennsylvania, with 89 schools spanning 83 school districts, plus 14 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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Hill Freedman World Academy is the top-rated high school in Philadelphia with a composite score of 8.6/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
How many high schools are in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?
Philadelphia has 89 high schools, including 14 charter schools. Of these, 83 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Philadelphia?
The average composite score for Philadelphia high schools is 6.2/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Pennsylvania).
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 Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Philadelphia high school rankings?
Yes. Philadelphia has 14 charter high schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.