2024 Best High Schools in the Rochester Area

• Rochester, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.44 out of 5  45 reviews

Junior: I've been going to the school for over 10 years and overall my experience has been amazing! I was really able to express my individuality with independent studies in the commons and all the faculty and staff encouraging creativity especially in music department. Even in the lower school a teacher let me create my own unit and help teach the class for a day. The only draw back is simply because there are so few people sometimes socially it can be difficult.... Read 45 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 515

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Brighton Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  287 reviews

Sophomore: After my first year at BHS, I must say that my expectations have been exceeded. There are great facilities and resources, and the teachers I've had care a great deal about their students. I don't eat lunch here, but from what I've heard, it's pretty bad. It's also great that there is a daily "FLEX" period where students can treat it as a free period, see a teacher for extra help, finish work.. etc. Supplemented by a rigorous and opportunistic academic curriculum, there is definitely a large emphasis on a work-life-school balance, so as long a student can handle the responsibilities that come with building their future, they will thrive here. Overall, I'm excited for the next three years!... Read 287 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,227

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Pittsford Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  191 reviews

Senior: I have had a largely enjoyable and educational six years in the Pittsford Central School District, like many of my peers. Teachers and students alike prioritize academics and post-graduation success, which I greatly value. The music and athletic programs are notably successful and competitive, while simultaneously providing students of all skills and backgrounds with opportunities to participate. My criticisms of Pittsford Mendon High school include the somewhat excessive expectations placed upon students, and the faculty's mishandling of social or cultural situations. Students are expected to take the most difficult classes possible, and as many as they can register for, rather than prioritizing their interests, career plans, and physical and mental health. Further, racial incidents within the district have been treated as an opportunity for unity and press, rather than a situation to learn from and amend. With further social progress, MHS would be an ideal school for any student.... Read 191 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 966

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Rochester, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  92 reviews

Senior: Allendale Columbia School is an excellent school with a tight-knit community. My favorite part of the Allendale community is the supportive, passionate, and caring teachers whom I can always count on for engaging conversations. Additionally, Allendale encourages students to take an active role in the community, whether through participating in a speak-up forum, holding positions in student government, or providing feedback on various school matters. The school also fosters a progressive learning environment, prioritizing collaboration and hands-on work. At Allendale, all community members know each other. While the student body comprises of diverse backgrounds and personalities, most students are uniquely special and somewhat eccentric. In comparison to the Harley School, both schools are quite similar, but the choice ultimately depends on one's interests and personal vibe. By visiting both schools, you will be able to determine which one suits you best.... Read 92 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 355

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Pittsford Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  243 reviews

Senior: High school is a challenge. Though academics are hard, I found it more difficult to find motivation to complete assignments for anything I wasn’t interested in. That’s something I hate about high school. I hate doing research on topics that are mundane and boring. I hate feeling the pressure of deadlines for things that I will never think about again after that deadline. I would just tell myself, “I’ll start tomorrow.” But that’s also something I love. School helped me break out of that mindset. That mindset hurt my grades, my pride, and my academics too much to continue. So, I made a change. Not only in school but in my personal life. In each project I find boring, I look for something interesting within it. I find motivation not because of that deadline but because of my dreams to pursue a higher education and an effort to improve my life. Thanks to school, I found the energy to make this change.... Read 243 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 877

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Rochester, NY•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  116 reviews

Senior: Mcquaid Jesuit is a very good college prep school. The campus is decent, although not as new and updated as many others. The STEM center is definitley the highlight of the campus. The preparation for college is likely its biggest strong point. They push kids hard, so everyone is pretty well off and ready for college. Those involved with the college application process are experienced, informative, and proactive. The cafeteria has amazing food, and the sports teams are dominant. This all combines with a faith-based experience that brings satisfaction to the more spiritual parts of every student.... Read 116 reviews

• grade A

• Students 811

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Rochester, NY•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  198 reviews

Freshman: I genuinely have loved every second being at Mercy, and sending your daughter here is definitely a gift everyone deserves. I will say though if your daughter doesn’t have great grades in your typical public school, she might not excel here. As someone who had all grades above a 98% at public school, now I average around a 90%. Although the school is very challenging, I feel like I learn a lot more being given more homework, and getting good grades feels much more rewarding. The people are genuinely so sweet - staff and students, and they are all very welcoming. The teachers are very qualified and they are really helpful when you advocate for yourself and ask. In general Mercy pushes for your daughter to grow more independent and be able to go out and conquer challenging tasks on her own, and they really do it amazingly. Overall I would definitely recommend this school!... Read 198 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 786

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Penfield Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.87 out of 5  287 reviews

Senior: Penfield has a wide variety of talented teachers that are always willing to help students with their homework and schoolwork along with helping them to succeed in their academic career. The classes offered fit in with most peoples needs and there is something for everyone. The administration at the high school do their best to make everyone feel welcome and have an inclusive community. The sports and music programs are excellent and provide extra opportunities outside of the classroom. Lastly, there a club and/or extracurricular that fits everyone interests and provide students with the chance to get involved in many ways.... Read 287 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,377

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Rush-Henrietta Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.54 out of 5  250 reviews

Senior: Rush-Henrietta truly defines what is it to be a melting pot of diversity. Coming from a small county school I felt lost in my identity, seeing students and teachers like me helped me grow confidence in my self-image and learning. The school's more than 50 clubs and activities give students more opportunities to connect with students like them. The educators at Rush-Henrietta embrace diversity and are open to new ideas and backgrounds. Trasnphering to this school was the best decision I have ever made, I have never felt more welcomed into a school than I have here. I am proud to be a Royal Comet!... Read 250 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,228

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Webster Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  248 reviews

Junior: Overall it’s been pretty great! Despite going hybrid in freshman year, it’s been a good experience. Schroeder does a relatively good job at starting to prepare students for classes, and we have many ap, honors and dual enrollment classes which are all great opportunities. Our sports teams are involved and our marching band is fantastic!... Read 248 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,286

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Spencerport Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  180 reviews

Alum: Spencerport prepared me for what I needed in college and beyond. They offer programs to meet students where they are at, regardless of academic or individual status. I feel that I was offered many opportunities to pursue different hobbies or passions. There were robotics teams, theatre programs, cheerleading, golf, and more. The teachers became near parents to a lot of the students, and I only really had one or two throughout my entire time that I disliked. I felt safe at school, which is becoming a luxury. However, there is definitely a lack of diversity and I do not feel that the school has used its resources to support marginalized communities to the best of its abilities.... Read 180 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,105

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Hilton Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  229 reviews

Senior: The teachers at this school/throughout the district are really what made it the wonderful learning environment it was. You could tell that they cared both that you learned in their class/that you felt like you had a space there. They also made the effort to get to know you as a person, and I really appreciated that. As one of the only black students in a predominantly white district, it was hard to feel seen, or fit in with other kids (they could do/say things that were racist, without even realizing it). The counselors and support staff at the school, as well as all the volunteer parents and event coordinators, and especially the librarians, made sure to put in the extra work to put together events, and get the budget to create spaces where me/other marginalized students felt included and welcomed. The students were okay.... Read 229 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,427

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Fairport Central School District, NY•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  341 reviews

Senior: Many amazing teachers and connections to be made! Sometimes play a game of portraying how diverse and great Fairport is, when it's not quite the case. Nevertheless a strong community, although bubbled, clicky and suburban. Wonderful opportunities if you are able to take advantage of them, but without a doubt more can be done to connect students with the tools and environments they need to succeed and feel belonging. A positive feeling, but again certain costs as well.... Read 341 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,299

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Canandaigua City School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  147 reviews

Sophomore: Well, I just finished freshman year, going into sophomore year. Im excited for the courses I put in my schedule for next year, no studies halls, and Im pushing health back a year to take 4 art courses, Ceramics 1, Ceramic 2, Sculpture and 2-D, I took 3-D the last semester of freshman year. I also enjoy the theater program, working a tech member, I am excited to work more shows. There are some small things that could be fixed, but overall, its a great place, awesome teachers, even if you dont have the same ones as others, most teachers are awesome and have an overall awesome vibe. Big school, and Im excited to keep learning from there. -Jose Button... Read 147 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,070

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Victor Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  267 reviews

Sophomore: The academic programs at Victor Senior High School are commendable. The curriculum offers diverse subjects and opportunities for students to explore various fields of interest. The teachers are knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects, which enhances the learning experience. This school also offers many extracurricular activities, including sports teams, clubs, and performing arts groups allowing students to pursue their interests, and develop their talents. The school encourages student participation and provides resources and support for these activities. The school facilities at Victor Senior High School are well-maintained and provide a conducive environment for learning, with a welcoming and inclusive community. Overall, my experience at Victor Senior High School has been positive. The school offers a well-rounded education, supportive teachers, and a variety of extracurricular activities, providing a solid foundation for academic and personal growth.... Read 267 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,364

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Honeoye Falls-Lima Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  146 reviews

Alum: Great teachers and extracurriculars and lots of focus on making sure students are successful. Not enough advanced classes for advanced track students (I.e. only offers Calculus AB instead of both AB and BC). Also, more focus on building school spirit rather than diminishing it by forcing unnecessary rules on all students. Seniors should have more privileges because there is nothing that really separates them from any other grade... Read 146 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 683

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• West Irondequoit Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  213 reviews

Senior: Overall I’ve had a great experience will the district and am happy to have grown up in such a nurturing community. That being said I still see room for growth. There is definitely room to expand elective programs such as the business and technology departments so that more students are exposed to those opportunities. The diversity of the student body and staff could also be approved upon, as more perspectives would allow for improved learning.... Read 213 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,142

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Rochester, NY•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  168 reviews

Senior: I liked the Aquinas community and their emphasis on teaching “goodness, discipline, and knowledge”. Aquinas is like a family and that allows for a positive, healthy environment to learn and work in.... Read 168 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 773

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Gates-Chili Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  236 reviews

Senior: Gates Chili High School has excellent academics and teachers, with many AP and dual credit classes. Unfortunately, computer science is lacking with only a couple courses and suffers from a lack of interest from students.... Read 236 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,151

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Hilton, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Senior: I have had a wonderful experience at Lake Ontario Baptists Academy. The staff is personable and diligent about seeing students succeed. I was also challenged by the academics. Being such a small school you do forfeit some of the extra activities, resources, and some of the college preparation that comes with a larger school. However, the integrity and the bond that we have in our school is worth more to me than all the extras.... Read 1 review

• grade A minus

• Students 53

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• East Irondequoit Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  349 reviews

Alum: I like that Eastridge has many different types of people and personalities, as well as supportive and personable teachers. I rarely had a teacher I couldn’t connect with in some way, and they all had classes where I made friends for life. One of my classmates is going to be my roommate for college! Our athletic facilities are amazing and offer great opportunities for athletes. Coaches are experienced and motivational, some that I will never forget. One thing I didn’t like about Eastridge is the Circle Days. Many students didn’t talk or open up like the school had hoped, and it basically became a waste of 20 minutes where I would sit and do nothing. Other than that I don’t have any issues with the school itself, and am glad to have spent my years of highschool at Eastridge.... Read 349 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 852

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Churchville-Chili Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.61 out of 5  251 reviews

Senior: Churchville Chili offers a number of challenging courses and programs that help prepare you for college. Their teachers are invested in their students' education and future. There are also a number of extracurricular activities to get involved in, including clubs, sports, and other events. Overall, the high school is pretty updated and the track and pool are both newer additions to the school.... Read 251 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 1,174

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Webster Central School District, NY•

• 8-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  158 reviews

Senior: The art program is phenomenal! On top of this a majority of the teachers are actually there for their students and care about either academic issues along with the student's personal issues as well.... Read 158 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 1,264

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Gananda Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  72 reviews

Alum: I really enjoyed my time at this school! I have made lasting relationships with teachers, and I feel like I was well prepared for college.... Read 72 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 237

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Rochester, NY•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  49 reviews

Senior: Bishop Kearney is a great atmosphere where you actually can gain an outstanding education. It has made a decline since I have been here since freshman year. Yes, the academics is a great aspect of the school, but I feel as if the attention should go towards the student body especially. The better opinions and voices that get a chance to be heard from the students the better the overlook and legacy of Kearney will appear in the future.... Read 49 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 305

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1