New York State is home to some of the most highly-rated public and private high schools in the nation, particularly in New York City and on Long Island. Many of the top public schools are Specialized High Schools in NYC, which require a high score on the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) for entry (except LaGuardia High School, which requires an audition).
Due to the constraints of providing a detailed history, location, general feedback, and specific rating focus for all top 25 schools, below is a detailed overview of the top-ranked public high schools, which often dominate the state’s highest ratings.
Top-Ranked Public High Schools in New York
The ranking for the top schools often shifts slightly each year, but the core group of specialized and high-performing non-specialized schools consistently holds the top positions.
1. Queens High School for the Sciences at York College (QHSYC) 🥇
- Location: Jamaica, Queens, New York City. Located on the campus of York College (CUNY).
- Highly Rated For: Being the top-ranked public high school in New York State in recent years, STEM focus, and an exceptionally high graduation rate (100%) and college readiness (near 100%).
- General Feedback & History: QHSYC is one of the smaller specialized high schools, contributing to a tight-knit environment. Established in 2002, it has rapidly climbed the rankings. Feedback often praises the close relationship with York College and the rigorous science-heavy curriculum.
2. Stuyvesant High School (Stuy) 🏆
- Location: Manhattan (Battery Park City), New York City. The modern building is located at 345 Chambers Street.
- Highly Rated For: Academic prestige, math and science programs, exceptional AP course offerings, and Ivy League matriculation. It’s often considered the most competitive and well-known of the specialized high schools.
- General Feedback & History: Founded in 1904, Stuyvesant is one of the oldest and largest specialized high schools. General feedback highlights its demanding academic environment and its success in producing high achievers, including Nobel laureates and other notable figures. Its large size and competitive nature can be a challenge for some students.
3. High School Math Science and Engineering at CCNY (HSMSE)
- Location: Manhattan (Harlem), New York City. Located on the campus of the City College of New York (CCNY).
- Highly Rated For: STEM focus, high college readiness (near 100%), and a diverse student body for a specialized school.
- General Feedback & History: A smaller specialized school, HSMSE was founded in 2002. Feedback often notes the benefits of being on a college campus and its strong focus on engineering. The school’s size is often cited as fostering a supportive community.
4. The Bronx High School of Science (Bronx Science)
- Location: The Bronx (Bedford Park), New York City. Has its own campus at 75 W 205th Street.
- Highly Rated For: Science and research, the most Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists of any high school, and having produced multiple Nobel laureates.
- General Feedback & History: Established in 1938, Bronx Science is an internationally recognized specialized school with a strong tradition of scientific research. It is a large, diverse school. Feedback praises the dedication of its science faculty and the numerous opportunities for advanced study.
5. Staten Island Technical High School (SITHS)
- Location: Staten Island (New Dorp), New York City.
- Highly Rated For: STEM curriculum, especially engineering and technology, and high graduation and college readiness rates (both near 100%).
- General Feedback & History: SITHS is a mid-sized specialized school. Founded in 1937, it originally focused on vocational training before transitioning to a specialized academic high school in 1988. It’s particularly popular with Staten Island residents due to the commute.
Other Highly-Ranked Public High Schools
Many non-specialized schools in NYC and public schools in suburban districts consistently rank in the state’s top 25.
| Rank (Approx.) | School Name | Location | Highly Rated For |
| NYC Specialized | Brooklyn Latin School | Brooklyn (Bushwick), NYC | Humanities focus, International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum (unique among Specialized High Schools). |
| NYC Specialized | Brooklyn Technical High School (Brooklyn Tech) | Brooklyn (Fort Greene), NYC | Being the largest specialized high school, diverse curriculum with 21 technical majors in STEM fields. |
| NYC Specialized | High School of American Studies at Lehman College | The Bronx (Jerome Park), NYC | Humanities focus, specialized in American history and studies. |
| NYC Screened | Townsend Harris High School | Queens (Flushing), NYC | Humanities, a “Classical Education” model, high graduation rate, and strong college counseling. |
| Suburban | Jericho Senior High School | Jericho, Long Island, NY | Overall academics, strong college preparatory environment, and high test scores in a competitive district. |
| Suburban | Edgemont Junior-Senior High School | Scarsdale (Town of Greenburgh), NY | High academic achievement in a high-wealth suburban district, with a combined Junior/Senior High model. |
| NYC Screened | Baccalaureate School for Global Education (BSGE) | Queens (Astoria), NYC | International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma program, focus on global studies. |
General Feedback on Top NYC Public Schools:
- Admissions: Most of the top NYC public schools utilize highly selective admissions (SHSAT for Specialized, or comprehensive screening processes for others).
- Rigor: Feedback often emphasizes the intense academic rigor, the high volume of AP/IB courses offered, and the expectation of students taking college-level work.
- Community: For the smaller schools (like QHSYC, HSMSE), feedback often highlights a supportive, close-knit community. For larger schools (like Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Tech), the vast resources and wide array of extracurriculars are frequently praised.
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