Best Schools in New York, New York
481 schools · 208 Elementary · 51 Middle · 145 High · 77 Other
Choosing a school in New York?
Use this page to compare every school in New York by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Central Park East High School
High · New York City Geographic District # 4. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
PS 124 Yung Wing
Elementary · New York City Geographic District # 2. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Bard High School Early College
High · New York City Geographic District # 1. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in New York for 2026 are Central Park East High School (9.5/10), PS 124 Yung Wing (9.2/10), and Bard High School Early College (9.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 50 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
481
347 public · 134 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$1,114,649
home value · ACS
Districts
59
serving the city
Schools
481
347 public · 134 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$1,114,649
home value · ACS
Districts
59
serving the city
Rates 9.5/10 despite 79% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.1 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among New York schools.
Top-Rated Schools in New York
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (50 of 481). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Park East High School | 9.5 / 10 |
| 2 | PS 124 Yung Wing | 9.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Bard High School Early College | 9.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Spruce Street School | 9.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts | 9.1 / 10 |
| 6 | Basis Independent Manhattan | 9.1 / 10 |
| 7 | Ballet Tech/nyc Public School for Dance | 9.0 / 10 |
| 8 | Peck Slip School (the) | 9.0 / 10 |
| 9 | The Caedmon School | 9.0 / 10 |
| 10 | Reece School | 9.0 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.6/10
- Median household income
- $130,106
- Median home value
- $1,114,649
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 68%
- Avg commute
- 31 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 24%
48% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How New York compares
New York rank
#204 of 475
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.4
above New York avg (6.2)
Median household income
$130k
139% of New York median
Schools in this city
464
Education Snapshot
New York, New YorkNew York, New York runs 481 schools across 59 districts, enrolling roughly 186,698 students. The school portfolio spans 208 elementary schools, 145 high schools, 51 middle schools, and 77 combined or alternative campuses, with 52 charter schools also active across the city. On MySchoolScout's composite scale, the city averages 6.6/10 across 464 scored schools — 0.4 points above the New York state average of 6.2/10, placing it in the above-average tier among rated cities statewide. The economic context reinforces that picture: a median household income of $110,144 sits 17% above the statewide median of $93,975, and 63% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Together, the above-average composite rating, the breadth of school-type options, and the high income and adult-education levels signal a market that outperforms the state benchmark while offering more structural variety than most other cities in New York.
About Schools in New York, New York
New York City's public school system is one of the largest and most varied in the country. Parents researching schools here face a genuine range: 346 ranked public schools spread across five boroughs, with an average score of 6.2 out of 10. That average masks significant spread — 130 schools, or 38% of the ranked total, score 7 or higher, meaning strong options exist across the city, but they require deliberate searching.
The top of the list is led by The Clinton School, a high school scoring 9.1 out of 10 — the highest-ranked public school in the city. Ballet Tech/NYC Public School for Dance, a middle school, ties that 9.1 mark, making it one of the few middle schools in any city to match the top high school score. Central Park East High School rounds out the high-scoring high schools at 9.0. On the elementary side, Professor Juan Bosch Public School and Amistad Dual Language School both earn 9.0, offering strong foundational options for younger students. Amistad's dual-language structure adds a distinctive academic model for families prioritizing bilingual education early.
The practical challenge in New York is access, not just quality. Many high-scoring schools require applications, auditions, or geographic eligibility — Ballet Tech selects for dance aptitude, not proximity. Parents should verify enrollment pathways before targeting a specific school. Neighborhood-zoned schools vary considerably in score, so families willing to navigate the city's school choice system can reach well above the 6.2 citywide average.
For parents comparing options, the 38% share of schools scoring 7 or higher gives real ground to work with. The most efficient approach: filter first by grade level and borough, then by enrollment type — zoned, screened, or specialized. Schools with dual-language programming, arts focus, or project-based curricula tend to cluster near the top of the rankings and represent the city's strongest differentiated offerings. The gap between the average school and the best school here is nearly three full points — knowing where to look matters as much as the quality is there to find.
Elementary Schools
208 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 500 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.2 |
| 2 | 450 students · Pre-K–8th | 9.1 |
| 3 | 351 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.0 |
| 4 | 283 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.8 |
| 5 | 600 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.7 |
| 6 | 247 students · Kindergarten–4th | 8.7 |
| 7 | 534 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.6 |
| 8 | 330 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.6 |
| 9 | 803 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.6 |
| 10 | 362 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.6 |
Show all 208 elementary schools in New York
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
51 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 116 students · 4th–8th | 9.0 |
| 2 | 549 students · 6th–8th | 8.9 |
| 3 | 427 students · 6th–8th | 8.8 |
| 4 | 328 students · 6th–8th | 8.8 |
| 5 | 231 students · 6th–8th | 8.8 |
| 6 | 1,007 students · 6th–8th | 8.5 |
| 7 | 710 students · 6th–8th | 8.5 |
| 8 | 258 students · 6th–8th | 8.4 |
| 9 | 364 students · 6th–8th | 8.4 |
| 10 | 369 students · 6th–8th | 8.3 |
Show all 51 middle schools in New York
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
High Schools
145 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 489 students · 9th–12th | 9.5 |
| 2 | 549 students · 9th–12th | 9.1 |
| 3 | 219 students · 9th–12th | 9.1 |
| 4 | 479 students · 9th–12th | 8.8 |
| 5 | 369 students · 9th–12th | 8.8 |
| 6 | 479 students · 6th–12th | 8.7 |
| 7 | 540 students · 9th–12th | 8.7 |
| 8 | 481 students · 9th–12th | 8.6 |
| 9 | 472 students · 9th–12th | 8.6 |
| 10 | 266 students · 9th–12th | 8.5 |
Show all 145 high schools in New York
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
77 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 574 students · Pre-K–12th | 8.5 |
| 2 | 1,846 students · Kindergarten–12th | 8.2 |
| 3 | 299 students · Kindergarten–12th | 8.0 |
| 4 | 388 students · Pre-K–12th | 7.8 |
| 5 | 1,613 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.6 |
| 6 | 1,178 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.5 |
| 7 | 1,054 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.2 |
| 8 | 303 students · 9th–11th | 6.9 |
| 9 | 1,553 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.4 |
| 10 | 966 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.0 |
Show all 77 other schools in New York
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in New York
New York, New York · 481 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 42 ZIP codes
Median Income
$130,106
Median Home Value
$1,114,649
Median Rent
$2,500/mo
Population
1,581,465
College Educated
68%
Homeownership
24%
Avg Commute
31 min
Poverty Rate
14.6%
Community Profile
New York has a median household income of $130,106. It is a well-educated community where 68% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,114,649, with a median rent of $2,500/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.6%. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New York
- Elementary
- 208
- Middle
- 51
- High
- 145
- Other
- 77
Resources
School Districts (59)
AMBER CHARTER SCHOOL EAST HARLEM
1 school · 312 students
HARBOR SCIENCE AND ARTS CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 238 students
JOHN V LINDSAY WILDCAT ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 397 students
HARLEM PREP CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 793 students
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 1
26 schools · 9,896 students
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 2
119 schools · 55,421 students
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 3
43 schools · 19,335 students
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 4
29 schools · 11,690 students
HARLEM VILLAGE ACADEMY WEST CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 574 students
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 5
28 schools · 8,945 students
KIPP STAR COLLEGE PREP CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 681 students
NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 6
45 schools · 17,940 students
HARLEM CHILDREN'S ZONE PROMISE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 1,178 students
OPPORTUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 379 students
NYC SPECIAL SCHOOLS - DISTRICT 75
59 schools
GIRLS PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL OF NEW YORK
1 school · 206 students
MANHATTAN CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 182 students
HARLEM LINK CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 339 students
FUTURE LEADERS INSTITUTE CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 297 students
HARLEM CHILDREN'S ZONE PROMISE ACADEMY II CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 1,054 students
HARLEM VILLAGE ACADEMY EAST CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 388 students
NYC AUTISM CHARTER SCHOOL EAST HARLEM
1 school · 38 students
KIPP INFINITY CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 1,846 students
DEMOCRACY PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 616 students
NEW HEIGHTS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 712 students
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-HARLEM 1
1 school · 1,553 students
EQUITY PROJECT CHARTER SCHOOL (THE)
1 school · 1,100 students
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-HARLEM 4
1 school · 217 students
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-HARLEM 2
1 school · 237 students
ST. HOPE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 186 students
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-HARLEM 3
1 school · 656 students
DREAM CHARTER SCHOOL EAST HARLEM
1 school · 992 students
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-HARLEM 5
1 school · 793 students
DEMOCRACY PREP HARLEM CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 1,012 students
NEW YORK FRENCH-AMERICAN CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 296 students
INWOOD ACADEMY FOR LEADERSHIP CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 950 students
INNOVATION CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL
1 school · 409 students
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-UPPER WEST
1 school · 1,001 students
EAST HARLEM SCHOLARS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 897 students
BROOME STREET ACADEMY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL
1 school · 354 students
KIPP NYC WASHINGTON HEIGHTS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 773 students
GLOBAL COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 549 students
NEIGHBORHOOD CHARTER SCHOOL OF HARLEM
1 school · 596 students
DEMOCRACY PREP ENDURANCE CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 634 students
MANHATTAN CHARTER SCHOOL II
1 school · 66 students
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-UNION SQUARE
1 school · 1,006 students
EAST HARLEM SCHOLARS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL II
1 school · 400 students
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-HELL'S KITCHEN
1 school · 462 students
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL - WASHINGTON HEIGHTS
1 school · 541 students
SCHOOL IN THE SQUARE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 566 students
NEW YORK CITY CHARTER SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
1 school · 238 students
WHIN MUSIC COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 420 students
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-HARLEM 6
1 school · 247 students
NEW VISIONS CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE HUMANITIES IV
1 school · 205 students
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL-HUDSON YARDS
1 school · 396 students
ZETA CHARTER SCHOOL - INWOOD
1 school · 668 students
HARLEM VILLAGE ACADEMY WEST 2 CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 224 students
KIPP BEYOND CHARTER SCHOOL
1 school · 274 students
AMBER CHARTER SCHOOL INWOOD
1 school · 145 students
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in New York
Top metros statewide by school count.
Featured Rankings
See our in-depth rankings with interactive maps, score breakdowns, and school spotlights.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in New York, New York
How many schools are in New York, New York?
New York has 481 schools, including 347 public and 134 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in New York, New York?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in New York is 6.6 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in New York, New York?
The top-ranked school in New York on MySchoolScout is Central Park East High School with a composite score of 9.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in New York, New York?
The top-ranked elementary school in New York on MySchoolScout is PS 124 Yung Wing with a composite score of 9.2/10.
What is the best middle school in New York, New York?
The top-ranked middle school in New York on MySchoolScout is Ballet Tech/nyc Public School for Dance with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best high school in New York, New York?
The top-ranked high school in New York on MySchoolScout is Central Park East High School with a composite score of 9.5/10.
How many school districts serve New York, New York?
New York is served by 59 school districts: Amber Charter School East Harlem, Harbor Science and Arts Charter School, John V Lindsay Wildcat Academy Charter School, Harlem Prep Charter School, New York City Geographic District # 1, New York City Geographic District # 2, New York City Geographic District # 3, New York City Geographic District # 4, Harlem Village Academy West Charter School, New York City Geographic District # 5, Kipp Star College Prep Charter School, New York City Geographic District # 6, Harlem Children's Zone Promise Academy Charter School, Opportunity Charter School, Nyc Special Schools - District 75, Girls Preparatory Charter School of New York, Manhattan Charter School, Harlem Link Charter School, Future Leaders Institute Charter School, Harlem Children's Zone Promise Academy II Charter School, Harlem Village Academy East Charter School, Nyc Autism Charter School East Harlem, Kipp Infinity Charter School, Democracy Preparatory Charter School, New Heights Academy Charter School, Success Academy Charter School-harlem 1, Equity Project Charter School (the), Success Academy Charter School-harlem 4, Success Academy Charter School-harlem 2, St. Hope Leadership Academy Charter School, Success Academy Charter School-harlem 3, Dream Charter School East Harlem, Success Academy Charter School-harlem 5, Democracy Prep Harlem Charter School, New York French-american Charter School, Inwood Academy for Leadership Charter School, Innovation Charter High School, Success Academy Charter School-upper West, East Harlem Scholars Academy Charter School, Broome Street Academy Charter High School, Kipp Nyc Washington Heights Academy Charter School, Global Community Charter School, Neighborhood Charter School of Harlem, Democracy Prep Endurance Charter School, Manhattan Charter School II, Success Academy Charter School-union Square, East Harlem Scholars Academy Charter School II, Success Academy Charter School-hell's Kitchen, Success Academy Charter School - Washington Heights, School in the Square Public Charter School, New York City Charter School of the Arts, Whin Music Community Charter School, Success Academy Charter School-harlem 6, New Visions Charter High School for the Humanities IV, Success Academy Charter School-hudson Yards, Zeta Charter School - Inwood, Harlem Village Academy West 2 Charter School, Kipp Beyond Charter School, Amber Charter School Inwood.
What is the education level in New York, New York?
According to Census data, 68% of adults in New York have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in New York, New York?
The median household income in New York is approximately $130,106 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in New York, New York?
Yes, New York has 134 private schools alongside 347 public schools. The top-rated private school is Basis Independent Manhattan with a score of 9.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in New York, New York?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in New York is 10.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in New York, New York?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Public Schools in New York 2026: Top Districts from NYC to the Suburbsbest schools
- Best Schools in New York, NY — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Student-Teacher Ratio by State: Complete 2026 Rankingsdata insights
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, New York State Education Dept., and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.