Where are the best public high schools in Pennsylvania? These 25 topped the list
Though one Centre County institution cracked the list, Pennsylvania’s top 25 public high schools are mostly located near Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, according to Niche, a site offering data on schools and colleges across the country.
Reviews and data from sources like the U.S. Department of Education, Common Core Data, Civil Rights Data Collection and more fuel Niche’s rankings. The Pittsburgh-headquartered school search platform ranks public high schools through the following broad categories:
Academics grade, which is based on state assessment proficiency, graduation rates, advanced placement courses, SAT and ACT grades, student-to-teacher ratios, college admissions and more.
Diversity grade, which is based on a student racial diversity index, parent or student surveys on culture and diversity, economically disadvantaged percentages and gender diversity.
Teachers grade, which is based on the academics grade, parent or student surveys on educators, teacher absenteeism, salary index, the portion of teachers in their first or second year of teaching, average salary and student-to-teacher ratio,
Niche breaks down its overall grades for public high schools into the following categories:
Academics grade: 60%
Culture and diversity grade: 12.5%
Parent/student surveys on overall experience: 10%
Teachers grade: 10%
Clubs and activities grade: 2.5%
Resources and facilities grade: 2.5%
Sports grade: 2.5%
Pennsylvania’s top 25 public high schools received overall grades of “A+” or better, but their strengths and achievements vary. Here’s a brief look at how the institutions compared.
25. North Penn Senior High School
Location: Lansdale, Pa.
Grades: A+ overall, A academics, A- teachers, A clubs and activities, A diversity, A college prep, B administration, A+ sports, B- food and C+ resources and facilities
North Penn Senior High School instructs 3,138 students in grades 10 through 12 with a 15-1 student-to-teacher ratio. According to recent test scores, roughly 78% of its students are proficient or better in math, while 83% are proficient or better in reading.
24. Plymouth-Whitemarsh Senior High School
Location: Plymouth Meeting, Pa.
Grades: A+ overall, A academics, A+ teachers, A- clubs and activities, B+ diversity, A college prep, A administration, A sports, A- food and B- resources and facilities
Plymouth-Whitemarsh Senior High School’s 1,503 students in grades nine through 12 produce a 14-1 student-to-teacher ratio, Niche reports. Approximately 81% of the student body is proficient or better in math, while 87% is proficient or better in reading.
23. Central Bucks High School South
Location: Warrington, Pa.
Grades: A+ overall, A academics, A teachers, A clubs and activities, B diversity, A college prep, A administration, A sports, B+ food and B- resources and facilities
Central Bucks High School South owns a 17-1 student-to-teacher ratio across 1,722 students in grades 10 through 12, Niche reports. Just about 91% of those students are at least proficient in math, while about 89% of students tested proficient or better in reading.
22. Upper Dublin High School
Location: Fort Washington, Pa.
Grades: A+ overall, A academics, A teachers, A clubs and activities, B+ diversity, A college prep, B+ administration, A+ sports, B food and B resources and facilities
Upper Dublin High School instructs 1,320 students in grades nine through 12, resulting in a 15-1 student-to-teacher ratio, Niche says. Roughly 73% of the school’s students tested proficient or better in math, while 95% tested proficient or better in reading.
21. Garnet Valley High School
Location: Glen Mills, Pa.
Grades: A+ overall, A academics, A teachers, A- clubs and activities, B diversity, A college prep, A- administration, A sports, B food and B- resources and facilities
Garnet Valley High School has a 13-1 student-to-teacher ratio across a student body of 1,546 in grades nine through 12. Recent state test scores indicate roughly 84% of students are proficient in math, while at least 87% are proficient or better in reading.
20. Bayard Rustin High School
Location: West Chester, Pa.
Grades: A+ overall, A academics, A- teachers, A clubs and activities, B diversity, A college prep, A- administration, A sports, B+ food and B resources and facilities
Roughly 1,215 students in grades nine through 12 give Bayard Rustin High School a 14-1 student-to-teacher ratio, Niche reports. Approximately 82% of the school’s students are at least proficient in math, while about 88% can say the same for reading.
19. Central Bucks High School West
Location: Doylestown, Pa.
Grades: A+ overall, A academics, A teachers, A clubs and activities, B- diversity, A college prep, A- administration, A+ sports, B+ food and B- resources and facilities
Yet another representative of the Central Bucks School District, this school offers a 15-1 student-to-teacher ratio spread across 1,507 students. A recent batch of standardized tests indicates about 94% of Central Bucks High School West’s students are at least proficient in math, while about 83% are at least proficient in reading.
18. Hershey High School
Location: Hershey, Pa.
Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A teachers, A- clubs and activities, B+ diversity, A college prep, B administration, B+ sports, A- food and B- resources and facilities
Ranked the best public high school in Dauphin County, Hershey High School instructs 1,128 students in grades nine through 12 and offers a 14-1 student-to-teacher ratio. At least 90% of the school’s students are proficient or better in math, while at least 91% are proficient or better in reading
17. State College Area High School
Location: State College, Pa.
Grades: A+ overall, A academics, A+ teachers, A clubs and activities, B diversity, A college prep, A- administration, A+ sports, A food and B resources and facilities
Representing Centre County among Niche’s best public high schools in Pennsylvania, State College Area High School holds a 12-1 student-to-teacher ratio across 2,436 students. Recent test scores indicate at least 90% of the school’s students are proficient or better in math, while at least 85% are proficient or better in reading.
16. Wissahickon Senior High School
Location: Ambler, Pa.
Grades: A+ overall, A academics, A teachers, B+ clubs and activities, A- diversity, A college prep, B+ administration, B+ sports, C food and C+ resources and facilities
Wissahickon Senior High School offers a 13-1 student-to-teacher ratio across 1,467 students in grades nine through 12. Roughly 81% of the school’s students are at least proficient in math, while about 91% can say the same for reading, Niche reports.
15. Great Valley High School
Location: Malvern, Pa.
Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A teachers, B clubs and activities, B+ diversity, A+ college prep, B administration, B+ sports, B- food and C+ resources and facilities
Roughly 1,402 students in grades nine through 12 attend Great Valley High School, prompting a 15-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Recent standardized test scores indicate at least 88% of the school’s students are proficient or better in math, while about 96% are proficient or better in reading.
14. Mt. Lebanon Senior High School
Location: Pittsburgh, Pa.
Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers, A clubs and activities, C+ diversity, A college prep, B+ administration, A sports, A food and B resources and facilities
Out in Pittsburgh, Mt. Lebanon Senior High School instructs 1,820 students in grades nine through 12 and holds a 15-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Roughly 85% of the school’s students are proficient or better in math, while at least 93% of students are proficient or better in reading.
13. Upper St. Clair High School
Location: Pittsburgh, Pa.
Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers, A clubs and activities, B- diversity, A college prep, B+ administration, A+ sports, A- food and B- resources and facilities
Another Pittsburgh-area school, Upper St. Clair High School owns a 14-1 student-to-teacher ratio across its body of 1,315 students in grades nine through 12. Recent standardized test scores indicate at least 91% of students are at least proficient in math, while 96% are at least proficient in reading.
12. Central Bucks High School East
Location: Doylestown, Pa.
Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A teachers, A- clubs and activities, C+ diversity, A college prep, A- administration, A+ sports, B+ food and B- resources and facilities
Central Bucks High School East holds a 14-1 student-to-teacher ratio across 1,385 in grades 10 through 12. The school’s most recent batch of standardized test scores indicate roughly 93% of students are at least proficient in math, while at least 90% are proficient or better in reading.
11. Fox Chapel Area High School
Location: Pittsburgh, Pa.
Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers, A clubs and activities, B- diversity, A college prep, B administration, A sports, B food and B resources and facilities
Roughly 1,309 students in grades nine through 12 attend Fox Chapel Area High School near Pittsburgh, prompting a 14-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Just about 87% of the school’s students are proficient or better in math, while approximately 90% are proficient or better in reading.
10. Strath Haven High School
Location: Wallingford, Pa.
Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers, A- clubs and activities, B diversity, A+ college prep, B+ administration, A sports, C+ food and C+ resources and facilities
Ranked the second-best public high school in Delaware County, Strath Haven High School owns a 14-1 student-to-teacher ratio spread across 1,210 students in grades nine through 12. According to recent standardized test scores, roughly 74% of those students are proficient or better in math, while 88% can say the same for reading.
9. Unionville High School
Location: Kennett Square, Pa.
Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A teachers, A clubs and activities, B- diversity, A+ college prep, B- administration, A+ sports, A- food and B- resources and facilities
Roughly 1,348 students in grades nine through 12 attend Unionville High School, which has a 14-1 student-to-teacher ratio, Niche reports. Approximately 93% of the school’s students are proficient or better in math, while about 96% of students are at least proficient in reading.
8. Central High School
Location: Philadelphia, Pa.
Grades: A+ overall, A academics, A teachers, B+ clubs and activities, A+ diversity, A college prep, B+ administration, B sports, C+ food and C- resources and facilities
This Philadelphia-based magnet school instructs 2,381 students in grades nine through 12 with a student-to-teacher ratio of 24-1, Niche reports. Recent standardized test scores indicate about 98% of Central High School’s students are at least proficient in math, while 99% are proficient or better in reading.
7. North Allegheny High School
Location: Wexford, Pa.
Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers, A clubs and activities, B diversity, A+ college prep, B+ administration, A+ sports, B+ food and B- resources and facilities
Out near Pittsburgh, North Allegheny High School teaches 2,698 students in grades nine throgh 12, resulting in a 15-1 student-to-teacher ratio. According to Niche, recent test scores suggest 81% of the school’s students are at least proficient in math, while about 91% are at least proficient in reading.
6. Harriton Senior High School
Location: Rosemont, Pa.
Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers, A clubs and activities, B diversity, A+ college prep, A- administration, B+ sports, A- food and B resources and facilities
Harriton Senior High School owns an 11-1 student-to-teacher ratio spread across 1,261 students in grades nine through 12, Niche reports. Recent standardized test scores indicate 85% of the school’s students are at least proficient in math, while 94% are at least proficient in reading.
5. Lower Merion High School
Location: Ardmore, Pa.
Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A teachers, A+ clubs and activities, A- diversity, A+ college prep, A- administration, A+ sports, A- food and B resources and facilities
Ranked the best public high school in Montgomery County, Lower Merion High School instructs 1,721 students in grades nine through 12 with a 13-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Roughly 87% of the school’s students are at least proficient in math, while about 95% can say the same for reading.
4. Downingtown STEM Academy
Location: Downingtown, Pa.
Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers, B+ clubs and activities, A- diversity, A+ college prep, A- administration, B+ food and B resources and facilities
This top-rated magnet school holds a 14-1 student-to-teacher ratio while instructing about 883 students in grades nine through 12, Niche reports. Recent standardized test scores suggest at least 95% of Downingtown STEM Academy’s students are proficient or better in math, while virtually all students are proficient or better in reading.
3. Radnor Senior High School
Location: Radnor, Pa.
Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers, A- clubs and activities, B+ diversity, A+ college prep, B+ administration, A sports, A food and B- resources and facilities
Radnor Senior High School covers 1,165 students in grades nine through 12 while offering a 13-1 student-to-teacher ratio. At least 89% of the school’s students are proficient or better in math, while about 92% can say the same for reading.
2. Conestoga Senior High School
Location: Berwyn, Pa.
Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers, A clubs and activities, B+ diversity, A+ college prep, A- administration, A+ sports, B+ food and B- resources and facilities
Conestoga Senior High School instructs a whopping 2,335 students in grades nine through 12 with a 16-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Approximately 91% of the school’s students are at least proficient in math, while about 92% are proficient or better in reading, according to recent testing data.
1. Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School
Location: Philadelphia, Pa.
Grades: A+ overall, A+ academics, A+ teachers, C- clubs and activities, A diversity, A+ college prep, B- administration, B- sports, C- food and D- resources and facilities
Ranked first among Niche’s list of “Standout High Schools in America,” this magnet school instructs 1,180 students between grades five through 12 with a 22-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Recent standardized test scores indicate at least 95% of the school’s students are proficient in math and reading.
