Best High Schools
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
We ranked the 82 high schools in Philadelphia with real test data. The top 25 scored between 6.6 and 8.8 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Pennsylvania education data
The short answer
The top-rated high schools in Philadelphia for 2026 are Science Leadership Academy (8.8/10), The Crefeld School (8.6/10), and Academy at Palumbo (8.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 82 rated high schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a high school in Philadelphia?
Every high school in Philadelphia 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.
Science Leadership Academy
Philadelphia, PA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
The Crefeld School
Philadelphia, PA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Academy at Palumbo
Philadelphia, PA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
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.
Science Leadership Academy
The Crefeld School
Academy at Palumbo
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 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 Pennsylvania so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 82 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Science Leadership Academy Philadelphia City SD | 8.8 |
| 2 | The Crefeld School | 8.6 |
| 3 | Academy at Palumbo Philadelphia City SD | 8.3 |
| 4 | Central HS Philadelphia City SD | 8.3 |
| 5 | Parkway Center City Middle College Philadelphia City SD | 8.2 |
| 6 | Bodine William W HS Philadelphia City SD | 8.2 |
| 7 | Masterman Julia R Sec Sch Philadelphia City SD | 8.0 |
| 8 | HS of Engineering & Science Philadelphia City SD | 8.0 |
| 9 | The Science Leadership Academy at Beeber Philadelphia City SD | 8.0 |
| 10 | Swenson Arts and Technology High School Philadelphia City SD | 7.8 |
| 11 | Girls HS Philadelphia City SD | 7.6 |
| 12 | West Catholic Preparatory H.s. | 7.6 |
| 13 | Tech Freire Cs Charter TECH Freire CS | 7.5 |
| 14 | Gamp Philadelphia City SD | 7.5 |
| 15 | Creative and Performing Arts Philadelphia City SD | 7.5 |
| 16 | Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush Philadelphia City SD | 7.4 |
| 17 | Anthony Wayne Academy | 7.4 |
| 18 | National Constitution Center HS Philadelphia City SD | 7.3 |
| 19 | International Christian High School | 7.3 |
| 20 | Franklin Towne Chs Charter Franklin Towne CHS | 7.2 |
| 21 | Mercy Career & Technical High School | 7.2 |
| 22 | Liguori Academy | 7.2 |
| 23 | The Workshop School Philadelphia City SD | 7.0 |
| 24 | Multicultural Academy Cs Charter Multicultural Academy CS | 6.7 |
| 25 | Hill Freedman World Academy Philadelphia City SD | 6.6 |
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, Science Leadership Academy is the top-rated high school in Philadelphia with a composite score of 8.8/10. 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.
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 5.7/10. 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 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 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.