2023 Best High Schools in Lancaster County

• Lititz, PA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.46 out of 5  82 reviews

Junior: I am a current student at Linden hall and I can say that this school teaches you values that all of us should have. You are safe in your surroundings and can explore different parts of yourself! This is my third year attending this school and each day I get to learn new traditions. There are so many different cultures, and this school is filled with so many different beliefs and values. You never know what you may see next! Studying can be hard, but you have the support of teachers who value your understanding of the class material.... Read 82 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 127

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Lancaster, PA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  31 reviews

Parent: My 3 children attended LCDS from K through graduation, and it was an amazing experience. The academic level of all grades is the perfect challenge that they needed. They played 3 sports year-round, participated in music, art and theatre, and basically did it all! When they started college, they each felt that it was LCDS in it's 13th year. They were so ready for the challenges of the great colleges they attended. They took the regional bus from Berks County to go there, and that was a plus too, as there was a sports bus (or late bus) every day. I tell everyone I know what a wonderful school it is. The teachers are fabulous, the environment and building/grounds are beautiful. I went to public school, so I know how that feels. This is so much better, in my opinion. I highly recommend this school to all. My kids did get some financial aid, too, so that is available if you qualify for it. Love this place!... Read 31 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 593

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Manheim Township School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  243 reviews

Junior: As a transfer student, I was incredibly worried about how I would integrate myself in the school community mid-pandemic. One of my teachers reached out to me two days before my official start of school, asking me questions of the pronunciation of my name, what I had learned in my previous school, the best way to catch me up, and whether or not I was comfortable with being introduced to the class. All my other teachers showed the same level of consideration toward my circumstances and welcomed me into the school with open arms. My student guide was patient with my questions and continues to wave hello to me in the hallways. This level of friendliness and kindness was astounding and my mental health greatly improved after a few months in school. The school is always clean and tidy, and the staff are always helpful. I couldn't ask for anything better!... Read 243 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,841

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Leola, PA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.57 out of 5  44 reviews

Senior: Overall, Veritas is a great place to go to school, and I've enjoyed my years there! Veritas is very different from other schools. It's small, but that's a good thing because students can have closer, more meaningful friendships. The small class sizes at Veritas also become like family. When compared to public schools, our sports, theatre, and music programs are small, but that makes it easy for anyone interested to join in. And, Veritas has many talented athletes, actors, and musicians who have done amazing things! What Veritas teaches is also very different from other schools: 2nd-7th graders take Latin as a base for learning other languages later, and Veritas also teaches Bible, History, Literature, and Theology in one class structure called Omnibus. Math and science classes are also solid and engaging, and dual enrollment courses for college credit are available for juniors and seniors. The teachers at Veritas are excellent, and they know how to make learning seem easy and fun!... Read 44 reviews

• grade A

• Students 369

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Hempfield School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  291 reviews

Alum: My time at Hempfield was overall very enjoyable. The student body is very diverse, both ethnically and ideologically. If you find the right people to hang out with, you will have a great time there. My teachers and counselors were all very supportive of their students and there was always someone to go to if you needed something. Hempfield is also a school that recognizes the benefits of the art and music programs, and these departments rarely receive budget cuts. Hempfield prepares students well for college by encouraging students to advocate for themselves, while giving a little more teacher encouragement than you would find at college. The school offers a wide range of unique clubs and extracurricular activities that appeal to students of all kinds. Hempfield offers many Advanced Placement classes in each core subject as well as foreign languages, computer science, art, and others. Overall, I would classify Hempfield as a good academic and cultural environment for students.... Read 291 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 2,159

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Lancaster, PA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  115 reviews

Parent: We have been part of Lancaster Mennonite School for 6 years and are delighted with the education for our children. Their Spanish Immersion program is outstanding, as are the teachers in the program; my children are bilingual, thanks to this program! We appreciate the focus the school gives to holistic education, including makerspace and hands on opportunities in their classes. We appreciate the global education mindset of the school. We have experienced teachers to be very caring and are grateful to be part of a safe and stimulating school community.... Read 115 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 605

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Penn Manor School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.58 out of 5  330 reviews

Alum: This high school prepared me very well for college! The content I learned in my years there was higher standard that prepared more for more intense college work. I was also impacted by many kind and caring teachers who were passionate about their subjects and were good at teaching and helping students learn. Overall there could have been better administrative policies to help with student issues and safety and promotion of clubs. School cleanliness and food could have been improved however the school is newly renovated and I have not been back to see the improvements. All in all I am glad I attended Penn Manor and although it wasn't the best at times it well prepared me for my future academic career.... Read 330 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,674

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Lampeter-Strasburg School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  199 reviews

Sophomore: I love my high school because of the students and teachers! The people are wonderful, and you can tell that people really care. I feel like I am getting a solid education and will be prepared for the years to come as I live my life in the "real world". There isn't much that I would change, but I do think that it would be very cool if we could somehow involve business within the school system. Perhaps this could look like students having opportunities to start and maintain businesses while giving other students a chance to invest or purchase from them.... Read 199 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 972

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Lititz, PA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  10 reviews

Senior: Lititz Christian is a small school where everyone knows everyone! All classes are small, the home room size can range from 10-20 students per grade, and it's easy to get one on one with a teacher. the teachers show that they care about you. Almost any teacher is willing to sit and talk to you.... Read 10 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 257

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Mountville, PA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  6 reviews

Parent: We started out homeschooling then switched to public school. It didn't take long for the struggles to begin - grades fell with no support in sight because my children "weren't failing" & character development wasn't even on the radar because discipline was viewed as "too negative". We switched to Dayspring & the transformation in my children is astounding. The depth of character they have, their excitement about going to school, the effort they put into their work...this doesn't scratch the surface of the growth I see in my kids. The teachers are dedicated to seeing their students succeed. This is a classical Christian education & there is a system in place for biblical worldview development, which I have not seen in any other Christian school in Lancaster. The school requires each 11th-grade student to participate in a course that walks them through deciding what profession they will choose after high school & through the college application process. Tuition assistance is available.... Read 6 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 348

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Conestoga Valley School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.64 out of 5  309 reviews

Senior: My entire academic journey at Conestoga Valley was amazing. They provided me with the resources I needed when I needed them. The same can't be said for some teachers, though. As with the high school's various qualities, they were average and above average in some areas. Lunch, as always, can be more substantial and nutritious. However, if there were one thing I would change or modify, it would be the CV's administration. Slow to respond, distasteful attitudes, and unwilling to change, they should consider what the student body wants, not just what they want.... Read 309 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,280

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Lancaster, PA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  165 reviews

Alum: Lancaster Catholic is a place to truly build your academic career and flourish. It is the best school in the area if you are college focused and want to be fully prepared for your future. Some of the students are snotty, and it can be hard to find true, genuine friends. However, the education you receive is totally worth it. As a third generation student, Catholic High was set in stone for me from the moment I was born. The beauty of Lancaster Catholic is that there are so many opportunities to succeed, and if you WANT to fail you really have to try! The teachers and staff love the students more than anything, and will bend over backwards to help a struggling teen. There are a handful of teachers that truly deserve the world, too. It may be a small private school, but it has so much to offer.... Read 165 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 600

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Donegal School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  151 reviews

Alum: Donegal is a very small district that allows teachers to connect more with their students. Although Donegal lacks many sports like volleyball, golf, and lacrosse, they still offer likable alternatives. Most teachers are great, but there are some who aren't as adequate. As for preparation for college, high schools need to do a better job at 'preparing students' for college, because their idea of college is very dated and not at all helpful. Other than that, Donegal is a great school to attend. The food is good, extracurriculars are good, and teachers are good. However, they do lack certain curriculum, like home ec and development classes as well as French.... Read 151 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 904

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Elizabethtown, PA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  17 reviews

Parent: My daughter received an excellent education that taught her how to be a critical thinker and to apply biblical concepts to her education, activities and relationships. She was challenged daily by her educators to be the best she could be. The educators and administration and supportive and truly take an interest in the lives of the students in the school. The small classes allow for the development of strong relationships. I would recommend this institution to any parent seeking a loving Christian environment for their child(ren).... Read 17 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 456

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Lancaster, PA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  29 reviews

Alum: I loved being in a small, private school that integrated Christian teaching into every class! The teachers and staff were inspiring Christian influences in my life, and I was able to have deeper mentor-like relationships with them beyond just academics. Also, the school in general was run very well by compassionate and reasonable leaders within the administration. Having recently welcomed a new head of school I'm excited to see some of his new innovations and ideas for different parts of the school move the school forward and produce more Christ-like students.... Read 29 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 365

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Ephrata Area School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.64 out of 5  217 reviews

Sophomore: The school itself does its best with what it's given(low budgeting). Parent involvement is slim to none. Many of the students cheat their way through class and have little motivation to strive to earn their grades. Bullying and drug use are rampant throughout the school. The food isn't awful, and there are many options for children who cannot afford lunch. What the school does do a good job at is implementing their counselors and encouraging their LRG program that in the long term is very helpful. Overall, it's just a regular high school honestly.... Read 217 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 1,315

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Cocalico School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  256 reviews

Junior: As a current high school junior who has been a part of the Cocalico school district since kindergarten, I can honestly say there is nowhere I would rather have gotten my education. Cocalico is an absolutely wonderful school district with a safe, positive environment, responsible and caring students, and excellent staff who are always willing to help students, even if it means going the extra mile. I have had so many amazing opportunities with my education and interests, and I feel that the hard work of Cocalico staff, as well as all of the outstanding resources available to students, have thoroughly prepared me for college and a career. Cocalico has wonderful programs and extracurriculars for every student, regardless of their interests, but as a musician, I can attest to my school's fantastic music program, which is perfect for anyone considering a career in the arts. Additionally, challenging and highly interesting classes have been available to me which have pushed me to succeed.... Read 256 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 997

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Warwick School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  241 reviews

Alum: Overall, it was amazing. I had many teachers that were very supporting and helpful. Each of them wanted me to succeed in my high school career. They also were understanding, supportive and accommodating concerning my hearing loss. Many of the academic courses assisted me in choosing my path of mechanical engineering technology. I fluctuated between the different fields of engineering, but the many hands-on classes allowed me to decide on the specific field I wanted to pursue.... Read 241 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 1,283

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Pequea Valley School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.53 out of 5  124 reviews

Senior: In my opinion, I think this school is a great school, and has definitely become much better over the past few years. There is a lot of freedom when it comes to picking classes, which allows people to be better prepared for their desired career path. Most of the staff are great, and the students are all pretty good kids. There's little violence, and the security does a good job of preventing and stopping it. Our sports are well funded, and most of them do pretty good on average. The laptops are honestly really helpful, and make the learning experience a bit more engaging. My only complaint (which is admittedly completely subjective) is that the actual school building is quite small. I'd be interested in seeing the school building expanded to offer more classes, but I understand that getting funding can be difficult. The actual school grounds are quite big, so that helps compensate.... Read 124 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 481

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Eastern Lancaster County School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.58 out of 5  163 reviews

Senior: Growing up in Lancaster County I think many people actually take our school for granted and complain when we all should be praising. Garden Spot has amazing teachers that truly want to make a difference in your education and in your life! It’s a wonderful environment where students are truly cared about and have the ability to get involved with many clubs and activities. Safety is always put first in addition to seeing students grow and prosper. A high level of education is given yet it’s not all about teaching to a test or to the curriculum. Teachers actually care about what is going on in every students life and gets to know us on a personal level. Many teachers have students create short term and long term goals for themselves and they help us all to achieve them. Garden Spot sets students up for college success but also encourages other paths after graduation like the work force, technical schools, internships, etc. The culture is inclusive and students are truly valued.... Read 163 reviews

• grade B

• Students 936

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Manheim Central School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.31 out of 5  175 reviews

Senior: I love the teachers at Manheim Central High School and their willingness to invest in the students and their welfare. The academics are very rigorous and challenging enough for me but also allow those who struggle in school to get the attention they need. Our athletics department is very strong as well as our music and art departments, displaying a very well-rounded school. However, the building has not been renovated in about twenty years, so the interior is not very attractive. The school also lacks air conditioning except in a few rooms, and the science wing especially gets very hot during the early and later months of the school year.... Read 175 reviews

• grade B

• Students 972

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Elizabethtown Area School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.48 out of 5  140 reviews

Senior: Throughout my time at Elizabethtown Area High School, I have experienced a variety of different situations that helped me learn, grow, and, most of all, adapt. The teachers are a huge plus, especially in the English department. Every student will give you a different perspective of each class, but almost all can find positive things to say. The business department has less than ten classes, and while the art department is very talented, it does not offer as large of a variety as nearby districts. Etown is rurally located, which shows in their lacking diversity numbers. The district has recently increased efforts to ready students for their life after high school, and prides itself on being the first high school in the country to use the Leader in Me program, which is popular in elementary schools, at the high school level. Overall, I believe if you are ready to overcome adversity and work hard, EAHS provides you with the skills you need to survive.... Read 140 reviews

• grade B

• Students 1,236

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Morgantown, PA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.38 out of 5  26 reviews

Parent: We love CCS! It is definitely a place where your student can grow and learn. Class sizes are small and teachers are devoted to their student's success. They are always available to students and very responsive to emails and requests for help. Grace is extended and students learn to navigate life with the support of Godly leaders, modeling Christlike character, supporting them in their individual journeys. For a small school, they offer a variety of electives and have a full sports program that our student has thoroughly enjoyed. We highly recommend CCS!... Read 26 reviews

• grade B

• Students 268

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Lancaster School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  350 reviews

Senior: There's so much to do and so many opportunities to take advantage of at McCaskey. McCaskey pays for your dual enrollment, SATs, they help you connect with different people for your desired career path and offer great scholarships and school tours. There's great diversity and such an amazing experience. There's many other opportunities; cosmetology, building trades, health careers, internships and more.... Read 350 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 2,680

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Solanco School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.5 out of 5  103 reviews

Alum: I was very involved at Solanco High School before I graduated. With my involvement, I was able to connect very closely with students, faculty, and administration. The administrators strived for students to be prepared to go out to the workforce, trade school, community college, or a four-year institution. Solanco Highschool welcomed students from all kinds of backgrounds creating a diverse community where all students were and truly felt accepted. Finding clubs and academics that suited the student was very easy as there was a class or a club for everything from agriculture to gaming. I am thankful that I was able to graduate from such a great school like Solanco Highschool as it prepared me for all aspects of my college career and in life.... Read 103 reviews

• grade C+

• Students 1,098

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1