Best Schools in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
221 schools · 123 Elementary · 26 Middle · 38 High · 34 Other
Choosing a school in Pittsburgh?
Use this page to compare every school in Pittsburgh 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.
Fox Chapel Area HS
High · Fox Chapel Area Sd. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Marzolf Primary Sch
Elementary · Shaler Area Sd. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Upper Saint Clair HS
High · Upper St. Clair Sd. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Pittsburgh for 2026 are Fox Chapel Area HS (9.6/10), Marzolf Primary Sch (9.5/10), and Upper Saint Clair HS (9.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 144 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
221
148 public · 73 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$245,316
home value · ACS
Districts
41
serving the city
Schools
221
148 public · 73 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$245,316
home value · ACS
Districts
41
serving the city
Rates 9.3/10 despite 79% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.0 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 Pittsburgh schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +22.5 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Pittsburgh schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Pittsburgh
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 144 rated schools; 221 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fox Chapel Area HS | 9.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Marzolf Primary Sch | 9.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Upper Saint Clair HS | 9.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh Montessori K-5 | 9.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Hoover EL Sch | 9.1 / 10 |
| 6 | Mt Lebanon Shs | 8.9 / 10 |
| 7 | Pittsburgh Capa 6-12 | 8.9 / 10 |
| 8 | Jefferson EL Sch | 8.8 / 10 |
| 9 | Pittsburgh Whittier K-5 | 8.8 / 10 |
| 10 | Shaler Area HS | 8.8 / 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
- $76,809
- Median home value
- $245,316
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 49%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 58%
46% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Pittsburgh compares
Pennsylvania rank
#169 of 424
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.3
above Pennsylvania avg (6.3)
Median household income
$77k
97% of Pennsylvania median
Schools in this city
209
Education Snapshot
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaPittsburgh's K-12 landscape spans 208 schools across 41 school districts, serving approximately 81,091 students — a highly fragmented governance structure driven by the region's grid of independent boroughs and townships. The level mix leans elementary-heavy: 122 elementary schools compared to 24 middle and 32 high schools, with 30 combined or alternative campuses filling out the options. On performance, the city edges past the state benchmark — an average MySchoolScout composite rating of 6.5/10 across 194 scored schools outpaces Pennsylvania's 6.3/10 state average. Families seeking alternatives to traditional public schools can choose from 22 charter schools. Median household income sits at $81,662, just 2% below the Pennsylvania state median of $83,223, placing Pittsburgh in near-parity with the state economically. Adult educational attainment reaches 52% with a bachelor's degree or higher, reflecting a broadly credentialed resident base spread across the metro's many independent school zones.
41 districts draw attendance lines through Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is not one school system. 41 districts cut across the city limits, and the largest still holds only 38% of the public campuses.
Pittsburgh SD is the largest slice at 56 of 148 public schools — not a majority. Choosing a Pittsburgh address is choosing a district first.
Among 144 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 2.6 to 9.6 — the spread is inside Pittsburgh, not a citywide average.
22 of the 148 public schools are charters (15%), so the district split is not the whole market.
- Pittsburgh SD56 public · 38%
- Mt Lebanon SD10 public · 7%
- Fox Chapel Area SD6 public · 4%
- North Hills SD6 public · 4%
- Upper St. Clair SD6 public · 4%
About Schools in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh's public school landscape spans 148 ranked schools, giving parents a wide field to evaluate. The city average sits at 6.2 out of 10, which tells a familiar urban story: strong performers exist alongside schools that lag significantly. The encouraging number is 51 schools — 34% of the total — scoring 7 or higher, meaning parents who research carefully have real options across multiple neighborhoods and districts.
At the top of the rankings, Reserve Primary School leads all Pittsburgh public schools with a 9.6 out of 10, the highest score in the city. Upper Saint Clair High School follows at 9.4, making the Upper Saint Clair district worth a close look for families with both elementary-age and high-school-age children. Three elementary schools — Dormont Elementary, Pittsburgh Allegheny K-5, and Pittsburgh Greenfield K-8 — each score 9.1, signaling that high-performing options exist inside Pittsburgh proper, not only in surrounding suburbs.
The performance gap between the city's top and bottom schools is substantial. A 6.2 average pulled against multiple schools in the 9s means a meaningful portion of the district falls below that midpoint. Families cannot assume neighborhood proximity equals school quality here. District boundaries matter enormously, and Pittsburgh's patchwork of independent suburban districts — Upper Saint Clair, Dormont, and others operate separately from Pittsburgh Public Schools — adds another layer to sort through.
Practically, parents should filter searches by district boundaries before assuming which school serves their address. The concentration of top-scoring elementaries is a useful signal: if strong early grades are the priority, Pittsburgh Allegheny K-5 and Pittsburgh Greenfield K-8 show that high performance exists within the city limits. Families planning through high school should weigh Upper Saint Clair's 9.4-rated high school against commute and residency requirements. With 34% of ranked schools clearing the 7-out-of-10 threshold, Pittsburgh rewards parents who compare specifically rather than decide by zip code alone.
Elementary Schools
123 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 297 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 9.5 |
| 2 | 339 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.3 |
| 3 | 283 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.1 |
| 4 | 317 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.8 |
| 5 | 138 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.8 |
| 6 | 626 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.7 |
| 7 | 253 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.6 |
| 8 | 549 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.4 |
| 9 | 106 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.4 |
| 10 | 357 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.3 |
Show all 123 elementary schools in Pittsburgh
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
26 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 960 students · 6th–8th | 8.7 |
| 2 | 619 students · 5th–6th | 8.5 |
| 3 | 378 students · 6th–8th | 8.3 |
| 4 | 601 students · 6th–8th | 8.0 |
| 5 | 260 students · 6th–8th | 8.0 |
| 6 | 619 students · 7th–8th | 8.0 |
| 7 | 631 students · 6th–8th | 7.8 |
| 8 | 530 students · 6th–8th | 7.7 |
| 9 | 648 students · 6th–8th | 7.5 |
| 10 | 276 students · 6th–8th | 7.0 |
Show all 26 middle schools in Pittsburgh
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
High Schools
38 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,280 students · 9th–12th | 9.6 |
| 2 | 1,301 students · 9th–12th | 9.4 |
| 3 | 1,789 students · 9th–12th | 8.9 |
| 4 | 826 students · 6th–12th | 8.9 |
| 5 | 1,174 students · 9th–12th | 8.8 |
| 6 | 583 students · 9th–12th | 8.4 |
| 7 | 345 students · 9th–12th | 8.0 |
| 8 | 577 students · 9th–12th | 7.7 |
| 9 | 610 students · 6th–12th | 7.7 |
| 10 | 564 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 |
Show all 38 high schools in Pittsburgh
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
34 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,029 students · Kindergarten–12th | 8.2 |
| 2 | 59 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 7.4 |
| 3 | 149 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 7.4 |
| 4 | 785 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.3 |
| 5 | 517 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.0 |
| 6 | 50 students · 3rd–12th | 5.3 |
| 7 | 57 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.1 |
| 8 | 711 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.6 |
| 9 | 104 students · 4th–12th | 4.6 |
| 10 | 182 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.0 |
Show all 34 other schools in Pittsburgh
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · 221 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 38 ZIP codes
Median Income
$76,809
Median Home Value
$245,316
Median Rent
$1,173/mo
Population
696,585
College Educated
49%
Homeownership
58%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
13.6%
Community Profile
Pittsburgh has a median household income of $76,809. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $245,316, with a median rent of $1,173/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.6%. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Pennsylvania
- Elementary
- 123
- Middle
- 26
- High
- 38
- Other
- 34
Resources
School Districts (41)
Manchester Academic CS
1 school · 389 students
Urban Pathways 6-12 CS
1 school · 309 students
Urban Academy of Greater Pittsburgh CS
1 school · 343 students
City CHS
1 school · 564 students
Propel CS-Braddock Hills
1 school · 723 students
Young Scholars of Western Pennsylvania CS
1 school · 298 students
Urban Pathways K-5 College CS
1 school · 291 students
Propel CS-Northside
1 school · 358 students
Penn Hills CS of Entrepreneurship
1 school · 498 students
Propel CS-Pitcairn
1 school · 210 students
Propel CS-Hazelwood
1 school · 225 students
Passport Academy CS
1 school · 99 students
Young Scholars of Greater Allegheny CS
1 school · 300 students
Propel CS-Homestead
1 school · 535 students
The New Academy CS
1 school · 67 students
Propel CS-McKeesport
1 school · 315 students
Propel CS-East
1 school · 335 students
Propel CS-Montour
1 school · 798 students
Environmental CS at Frick Park
1 school · 1,035 students
Provident CS
1 school · 325 students
Catalyst Academy CS
1 school · 258 students
Life Male STEAM Academy CS
1 school · 73 students
Avonworth SD
4 schools · 1,973 students
Baldwin-Whitehall SD
4 schools · 4,484 students
Bethel Park SD
8 schools · 4,021 students
Brentwood Borough SD
4 schools · 1,127 students
Carlynton SD
3 schools · 1,330 students
Chartiers Valley SD
4 schools · 3,522 students
Fox Chapel Area SD
6 schools · 4,181 students
Keystone Oaks SD
5 schools · 1,911 students
Mt Lebanon SD
10 schools · 5,492 students
Woodland Hills SD
5 schools · 3,191 students
Northgate SD
3 schools · 1,065 students
Penn Hills SD
3 schools · 3,016 students
North Allegheny SD
11 schools · 8,554 students
North Hills SD
6 schools · 4,648 students
Pittsburgh SD
56 schools · 19,769 students
Plum Borough SD
5 schools · 3,580 students
Shaler Area SD
7 schools · 3,801 students
West Jefferson Hills SD
5 schools · 3,403 students
Upper St. Clair SD
6 schools · 3,967 students
Other Major Cities in Pennsylvania
Top metros statewide by school count.
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 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
How many schools are in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania?
Pittsburgh has 221 schools, including 148 public and 73 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked school in Pittsburgh on MySchoolScout is Fox Chapel Area HS with a composite score of 9.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked elementary school in Pittsburgh on MySchoolScout is Marzolf Primary Sch with a composite score of 9.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked middle school in Pittsburgh on MySchoolScout is Dorseyville MS with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best high school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked high school in Pittsburgh on MySchoolScout is Fox Chapel Area HS with a composite score of 9.6/10.
How many school districts serve Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania?
Pittsburgh is served by 41 school districts: Manchester Academic Cs, Urban Pathways 6-12 Cs, Urban Academy of Greater Pittsburgh Cs, City Chs, Propel Cs-Braddock Hills, Young Scholars of Western Pennsylvania Cs, Urban Pathways K-5 College Cs, Propel Cs-Northside, Penn Hills Cs of Entrepreneurship, Propel Cs-Pitcairn, Propel Cs-Hazelwood, Passport Academy Cs, Young Scholars of Greater Allegheny Cs, Propel Cs-Homestead, The New Academy Cs, Propel Cs-Mckeesport, Propel Cs-East, Propel Cs-Montour, Environmental Cs at Frick Park, Provident Cs, Catalyst Academy Cs, Life Male Steam Academy Cs, Avonworth Sd, Baldwin-Whitehall Sd, Bethel Park Sd, Brentwood Borough Sd, Carlynton Sd, Chartiers Valley Sd, Fox Chapel Area Sd, Keystone Oaks Sd, Mt Lebanon Sd, Woodland Hills Sd, Northgate Sd, Penn Hills Sd, North Allegheny Sd, North Hills Sd, Pittsburgh Sd, Plum Borough Sd, Shaler Area Sd, West Jefferson Hills Sd, Upper St. Clair Sd.
What is the education level in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania?
According to Census data, 49% of adults in Pittsburgh have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania?
The median household income in Pittsburgh is approximately $76,809 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania?
Yes, Pittsburgh has 73 private schools alongside 148 public schools. The top-rated private school is The Campus Laboratory School of Carlow University with a score of 9.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Pittsburgh is 11.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania?
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.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Pennsylvania Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.