2024 Best High Schools in New York

• Bronx, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  78 reviews

Parent: Our two children attended Riverdale Country School from 6th through 12th grades, and it has been our pleasure to be members of the Riverdale community for the past eleven years. Both have now graduated, and our daughter is following in her older brother’s footsteps to attend her first choice college this fall. We have loved being Riverdale parents and watching our children thrive. The school excels on so many levels — from extraordinarily qualified and dedicated teachers and school leaders who really get to know your children, to a wide range of course offerings in every subject, to all the after-school athletics and arts, and a true school spirit running through it all. Just as an example, both children had the chance to perform independent research side-by-side with a teacher/supervisor in their senior years, in areas of study they developed themselves. What an amazing experience!... Read 78 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,299

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.56 out of 5  114 reviews

Parent: We have two daughters at Chapin, both of whom started in Kindergarten, and could not be happier with the school. As parents, our desire is to help our daughters become independent thinkers who love to learn. So far, Chapin has been incredible in this regard. Chapin combines intense academics and social-emotional learning in a way that develops thoughtful, emotionally mature, successful students. The school's access to resources and extracurricular offerings is incredible, enabling the girls to try out sports and activities. Having K-12 under one roof is a real plus, especially with easy access to Carl Schurz park, Asphalt Green, and Randall's Island. Overall, we couldn't be happier with our choice of Chapin for our family!... Read 114 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 814

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Bronx, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.32 out of 5  151 reviews

Alum: The school is excellent in every regard except for the student culture. Everyone is extremely nice and there haven't been any problems with bullying, but it comes at the cost of near complete grade-centrism. Grades are so important that, in many cases, comprehension and enjoyment of the subject falls second. It creates tension and competition, and I'm pretty sure the stress took more than a few years off my life. Still, I've loved attending here and from my parent's perspective, the administration was unbelievably organized and generally very responsive to issues. Also, if you're interested in engineering like I was during high school, there were only two classes with engineering in the name. To make up I joined one of the (several) robotics teams and took all the math, physics and compsci classes I could, which were excellent, but it's a noticeable hole in the school's diverse curriculum.... Read 151 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,793

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.37 out of 5  86 reviews

Sophomore: I am receiving a truly fantastic education at Brearley, and for that I am grateful! The school provides students with valuable resources and opportunities to expand and customize their learning experience. The culture of competition can be overwhelming, but I think the stressful atmosphere is perpetuated by the students, rather than the administration. The adults I’ve interacted with at Brearley have generally been supportive and understanding, while some of the kids can be cutthroat and aggressively driven.... Read 86 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 776

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  79 reviews

Senior: Lots of opportunities to do things and the worst part was when there was the opportunity, but I could figure out how to get to it. Generally good with Financial Aid with some exceptions like having to be in a music program in order to get music lessons, but largley only being able to be in a program if you already played something. The athletic options were good, both on teams and otherwise. The art department was fantastic and many students were close with the teachers. Though other kids' experiences varied, I liked all my teachers. We learned a lot and had easy accessibility to things outside of the classroom, including trips, (moderately) job opportunities, hearing from speakers and alumni, community service, general get-to-gethers/events, and more.... Read 79 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,001

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.6 out of 5  99 reviews

Parent: The Lycée Français de New York is the humanities, literature and philosophy school par excellence, providing an outstanding preparation for university and beyond by developing critical and analytic skills in dual language and method. Student's perspective: the LFNY's strong focus on the French language, on HLP and the development of critique, coupled with continual availability and support from the teaching staff through built-in, after-class 'dialogue' (tutoring) hours, the Lycée excels in its preparation of the students' readiness for the Baccalaureate exams. In terms of student life and school spirit: regardless of their cultural origin, the students are united and bonded by the common thread of the French language. Parent's perspective: from lunch helper in Primary to participation in event committees and/or occupying a position in the APL (parent liaison to the school administration), parental involvement while voluntary is welcome and encouraged.... Read 99 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,150

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.48 out of 5  31 reviews

Parent: Incredible student and parent community, with a shared focus on educating and building strong girls.... Read 31 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 751

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.67 out of 5  111 reviews

Senior: Sacred Heart is a unique school, with incredible facilities. It helps girls find their voice and encourages us to explore different paths to problem solving. Even though we are in a competitive environment, we are always supportive of each other and encourage each other to do our best. Whether it was in class or during sports, we had fun and enjoyed our time together. I’ve made a great group of diverse friends I know I will keep forever. I also feel very prepared for college. I was excited to be accepted to my top choice university. Sacred Heart has great college placement and an exceptional college counseling group. It’s been a wonderful experience, and I will be sad to leave. But, I know I always have a home at Sacred Heart!... Read 111 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 741

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.38 out of 5  60 reviews

Parent: Exceptional, phenomenal, and superb! Those are just a few words to describe our experience at The Nightingale-Bamford School. This school has delivered everything it promised during the application process, and much more. The strong, close community is a stand-out at Nightingale. We felt welcome and a sense of belonging right from the start, and this has truly allowed our daughter to thrive. The teachers are exceptional, they make strong efforts to know our daughter and challenge her in appropriate, thoughtful ways. As a result of their approach, she has gained incredible skills across the board including reading, writing, and math, and grown exponentially. At Nightingale, she has developed confidence, a strong voice, independence, and public speaking skills starting at a young age thanks to the wonderful instruction here.  She looks forward to going to school everyday - where Nightingale educates her heart and mind.  We know that she is reaching her full potential here.... Read 60 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 710

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  86 reviews

Alum: I went through Dalton's K-12 program and, overall, I think it was a great success. Up until middle school, I didn't feel challenged but learned through creative projects and collaboration with fellow classmates. My middle school experience aided me to learn the tools needed for high school with an introduction to culminating assessments (which were extremely nerve-racking at the time) but I learned the importance of them in retrospect. Unfortunately, my view of Dalton high school is skewed due to Covid19 and other tragic events in the community. Freshman year of high school was when I found my first group of friends. I was thrilled but was soon ripped away from them and isolated. Dalton stayed on Zoom from March 2020 to January 2021, switching 55-minute class times to 30 minutes and then a whopping 80. To say the least, Dalton does not handle change well - but does anyone really? Junior and Senior years were somewhat back to normal. Dalton has helped me understand what I want and need.... Read 86 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,331

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.44 out of 5  150 reviews

Parent: My son recently graduated. I am so pleased with the education he received, the friends he has made, and his overall experience. Regis takes the best of the best from the 5 boroughs and NJ/CT/Long Island. My son had boys in his class who commuted 2 hours to school each way. I was afraid that the school would be hyper-competitive with all these great students. I was surprised to find that it was the exact opposite. The boys helped one another. The students who understood the material would put together study guides or tutor the others. The atmosphere was one of Christian charity and helping others. Academically, I do not know of many, if any schools, which are better. Half of my son's class were National Merit commended or Finalists. My son has matured, has learned, and has made many great friends. I now understand why parents stay involved in this great school long after their sons have graduated.... Read 150 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 532

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.23 out of 5  31 reviews

Middle school student: Collegiate School, with its modern campus and commitment to a safe, nurturing environment, amazes me as a middle school student. It's an innovation hub with cutting-edge facilities and technology in interactive classrooms and advanced labs, fueling our curiosity. What's remarkable is Collegiate's unwavering safety dedication, prioritizing our well-being through secure access, surveillance, and vigilant staff. Safety isn't just physical; it's part of the culture, fostering diversity and discouraging bullying, creating an accepting, supportive atmosphere. Our teachers are experts and approachable mentors, guiding us through challenges and celebrating our achievements. The sense of community enriches the learning experience. In summary, Collegiate School offers a modern, safe, inspiring environment where innovation meets security, diversity thrives, and learning flourishes.... Read 31 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 656

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Rye, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.38 out of 5  118 reviews

Works Here: I've been personally and professionally satisfied as an employee at Rye Country Day School. I found the community to be welcoming and eager for a new chapter, under strong leadership. I've felt supported in my work and have had many opportunities to grow new skillsets, which is important to me in a workplace. Impressive is the first word that comes to mind when I see how successful our students are and in unique ways. Of course, RCDS students' achievements include superior academics and athletic championships. But I've been most struck witnessing the level of care, genuine passion, and commitment to causes that are important to the students, specifically with the Community Engagement Fellows, the students who were selected to attend the Student Diversity Leadership Conference, and student leaders involved in the Sustainability program. These high school students are so informed and articulate! The young leaders that RCDS fosters are going places.... Read 118 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 957

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.41 out of 5  123 reviews

Junior: I have been at Avenues since the beginning (11 years!) and have become very comfortable with the people and environment. There are many things I love about Avenues, but the Global Journeys programs and Harkness-style classes are two of my favorite aspects. Just this January J-term, I went on a Global Journeys program to Senegal. In small groups, we stayed with homestay families, communicating with them in broken French and hand gestures. Through this experience, we learned more about their culture and gained confidence in dealing with unusual situations. This trip also brought my and my peers closer together—I love waving whenever I see them in the hallways! Another thing that I love about Avenues is the discussion-based classes. In English and World classes, discussing material (plot, themes, historical movements, etc) helps me formulate my ideas and speak succinctly. This skill, along with collaboration and flexibility, are fundamental strengths that I have developed at Avenues.... Read 123 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,958

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Brooklyn, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  51 reviews

Parent: I can’t say enough good things about BASIS Independent Brooklyn! Our 4 year old is in the PK-1 program at their new school location (405 Gold Street) and he’s blossoming! Caring and awesome teachers. Very thorough communication from the admin. A rock solid parent community! A great curriculum that offers a diversity of skills-building challenges (literacy, math, yoga, movement, theater, science, social emotional learning, Mandarin, just to name a few!) A plethora of after-school activities. Great location (next to a Target & Trader Joe’s). Same rigorous education but $20K cheaper than Poly Prep/Saint Ann’s etc. We met some amazing friends through this school and our son is so happy to go to school every day! In Pre-K 1 (3’s program), our son is already doing sight words and he’s staring to read simple words. The school really fosters a curiosity for learning, civic duty awareness, kindness development and a community of like-minded parent community! I can’t be happier!... Read 51 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 729

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.7 out of 5  136 reviews

Parent: The school is truly a dream. Top ranked in the country, few blocks from our apartment, on beautiful 5th Ave overlooking the MET. Most importantly, they engage, cultivate, and support their girls into a rigours education. We are happy our daughter was accepted into their limited spots; but amazed at their educational support that will make my daughter thrive. Huge highlights: First STEM program for girls, Financial Literacy through Bloomberg Terminal certification, brand new Upper School with state of the art technology. An Apple Distinguished School with ipads for students. An absolutely unreal Fabrication Lab that easily competes MIT/Caltech labs. Art and dedicated classrooms at the MET. Finally, and most importantly, a humble grace that shows how education is a gift; a gift to selflessly give back to society.... Read 136 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 768

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 31, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  785 reviews

Junior: You will be exposed to a multitude of resources during your time here and welcomed into a great community! While this school may not be for those unwilling to take on a rigorous academic experience, you will certainly be given the choices to take easier classes. The courseload can demanding at times, but most teachers are reasonable as long as you communicate with them. Ultimately, Tech will offer you many things to enhance and enrich your high school experience, but it is up to YOU to take advantage, whether that be through an internship, mentorship, sport, club, SING, etc.... Read 785 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,355

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Brooklyn, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  123 reviews

Senior: Packer Collegiate Institute, a quaint school in Brooklyn Heights, will undoubtedly prepare prospective students to take on the world and the challenges that may come. Students learn more about themselves, each other and the world in which they live. There are numerous opportunities to expand your thinking both in school and abroad which makes it great for the meek and the adventurous. There is something for everyone here regardless of your extracirricular preferences or academic strong suits.... Read 123 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 996

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 10, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  1,061 reviews

Parent: Excellent academics, almost every AP possible offered, lots of students taking post AP classes. Large school (~2800 kids), but brilliant student body with a wide range of interests and passions. This is the school where one can find high performing athletes with interests in performing arts and computers science or biology or math or physics or engineering. As one of the Specialized high school of the city, students come from all boroughs, making a 2-4 hours daily commute a regular part their 4-year high school journey. Very large number of clubs, sports, student activities. Teachers and administrators are top notch and dedicated. Perfect? Of course not, as it is after all a public school, but the Alumni foundation and the Parent Association are extremely active and generous both with time and resources to make up for what the Dept of Education budget does not cover. Go Wolverines!... Read 1,061 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,985

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 25, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  696 reviews

Sophomore: I'm a sophomore at Townsend Harris, and my experience has been great! I really like that every year there are some school "holidays" that are special to our school only! The school was quite challenging academically since it required me to change my studying habits (I used to procrastinate a lot). The classes were nice. You could choose if you wanted to choose AP classes. But during freshman year you get automatically put into Pre-AP World History. Then in sophomore year, it's required to take AP World History. The students, teachers, and staff are all friendly! There are so many extracurriculars too, so if you're looking to do stuff in your free time there are a lot of options. The sports department is great too because of the variety. There's basketball, soccer, table tennis, badminton, handball, swimming, and many more!... Read 696 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,347

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• New York City, NY•

• Online School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.81 out of 5  31 reviews

Parent: We have been at Avenues Online for 4 years, and it has been a life-changing experience for our entire family. The faculty is extraordinary - brilliant, caring, and gets to know your child extremely well. The curriculum is outstanding and incorporates current events and real-world problems. The schedule is very flexible, and with no classes on Fridays, we are able to travel for sports and significant outside activities. The proprietary platform really helps connect the kids and teachers and is a central place where all of their work is one place. We could not be any happier and feel extremely lucky to have found AON!... Read 31 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 200

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.63 out of 5  54 reviews

Parent: My son was accepted at all the top schools in the city, and he chose Browning hands down. A large part of his rationality is how rigorous the curriculum is, but the biggest influence is how much fun he had during his tour. My wife and I are happy with his choice, particularly after we spoke with current parents and after we attended the Speaker Series. We love how small school is with only 35 boys per grade! The after school programs are excellent. Our son is working towards becoming an Eagle Scout outside of school and he finds enough time to fit it all in. Browning is excellent in fostering independence and self-advocacy. In addition, developing their diversity and inclusion practices have been an impressive endeavor particularly after over 100 years of tradition. Browning is focused on school's mission of nurturing boys and their surrounding community so they thrive in whatever they choose to take on in the future.... Read 54 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 410

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Mamaroneck, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  109 reviews

Parent: FASNY is a blessing! We have been in the high school for 2 years now, and we couldn’t ask for anything better. Their International Baccalaureate program is superior to none. The faculty and administration are engaging with every student and parent. Their PTA has many fun events to build community and school spirit throughout the year. Your children could not have a better steppingstone and guidance for acceptance into any college in the world. I highly suggest you contact FASNY admissions if you are seeking a great school for your child. Our child travels to and from Mamaroneck from the Upper West Side to attend, because we all feel it is worth it. And although most live within the Mamaroneck area, there are several like us who’s child commutes, as do a few faculty!... Read 109 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 741

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  96 reviews

Parent: We joined UNIS for 6th grade right in the middle of the pandemic. Our daughter was excited about it but her experience has exceeded her expectations and for us, as parents, it's been a seamless, joyful journey. Students come from very diverse backgrounds with the same academic ambition which creates a nice blend of personalities, skills and talents. Teachers are dedicated to the success of the students, offering 1:1 when needed, taking a very individualized approach so everybody feels included and listened to. While the virtual set up might have been a challenge, the level of professionalism and consistency over the months has helped tremendously. Our 6th grader did not have the joy to experience the in person connection with the full classroom until April, yet she definitely received a best in class academic education. I really like this school and I have recommended it to many parents since we started. No regret move!... Read 96 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,426

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Tarrytown, NY•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.24 out of 5  80 reviews

Alum: I began attending Hackley in the sixth grade and remained there through the end of my high school career. With such great academic resources at your disposal, it's hard to not garner great college readiness. That being said, near-college level stress on children definitely creates a stress-inducing atmosphere. While this may be perceived as preparing kids for the real world, providing few mental health resources and being in the predominantly white, affluent bubble of Hackley does anything but that. Very grateful for the great opportunities the school afforded me both in and out of the classroom, particularly through travel, which was covered by my hefty financial aid. I would make sure families considering Hackley (particularly families of color or little financial means) know that the adjustment may take a toll on your student.... Read 80 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 855

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1