2019 Best Public High Schools in the Hartford Area

Best Schools

98 results

Glastonbury High School
Glastonbury School District, CT
9-12
419
1 Best Public High Schools in Hartford Area
Senior: The overall experience at the high school has been great! I've met so many new and interesting people while attending GHS. There are many clubs for students with a wide variety of interests to enjoy. As with most high schools there are good and bad teachers but in my experiences the vast majority of my teachers have been fantastic!
Read 419 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
2,037 Students
14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Simsbury High School
Simsbury School District, CT
9-12
297
2 Best Public High Schools in Hartford Area
Senior: Overall the school was a quality experience for me. My classmates were kind and devoted to studying, while many of the teachers I had were very enthusiastic about helping students learn. The art department in particular encouraged me to follow my dreams of becoming a concept designer. The curriculum of classes are typically thorough and up to date, supplemented by passionate teachers who more often than not will stay after to help you learn. The school body tends to conflate good grades with good self worth, so the drive to succeed is incredibly high. However, the school is in a majority white neighborhood. There are diversity initiatives such as the ABC House to encourage a more colorful student population, but the majority demographic in the district is white.
Read 297 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,423 Students
13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Conard High School
West Hartford School District, CT
9-12
294
3 Best Public High Schools in Hartford Area
Senior: I loved that all of the teachers were always willing to stay after school and help me with whatever I needed. I also enjoy the fact that it is so easy to get involved and make friends because everyone is so welcoming. I wish that Conard had better food because I have had to bring lunch every day since Freshman year in order to eat! I hope that Conard stays exactly the way it is, but I hope that freshman become more involved so that the school can keep gaining a better reputation.
Read 294 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,540 Students
14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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St. Luke's School
Private School
New Canaan, CT
5-12
158
Junior: I love St. Luke's. The teachers are all welcoming and supportive. You are always able to have a conversation with them, about school or other topics. The academics are profound! The variety of classes you can take is incredible. Sports are not the strongest at St. Luke's because the students here focus on this academics. A number of college counselors help you through the process, which eases up the tensions a little. Overall, the school is an A+, for its academic standards and overall comforting and supportive atmopshere.
Read 158 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
565 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Avon High School
Avon School District, CT
9-12
179
4 Best Public High Schools in Hartford Area
Alum: The problem with Avon High School is that you get an excellent (really, stupendous) education but in banal surroundings and in the context of a worldview that your path in life is to get in to college. Now I took 4 AP courses but I also took the formerly lowest level courses in the sciences and many electives [A school strength; a very wide diversity of courses taught by interesting and dedicated teachers that has only expanded since I graduated]. My AP classes were incredible thanks to my instructors and the discussion-based class set-up and are an excellent outlet for any student hyper-interested in a certain subject. Now I see all of this, in the broad light of day 3 years later, as an amazing stepping stone for college (at least compared to many of my college peers) but at the time it didn't feel like it since Avon has so little superficial charm other than the landscape, making our uppity, but not pretentious, attitude difficult to justify.
Read 179 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,038 Students
13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Farmington High School
Farmington School District, CT
9-12
220
5 Best Public High Schools in Hartford Area
Senior: The overall school and experience is pleasant. The academics are excellent as Farmington really pushes their students to exceed in all aspects. However there isn’t much diversity as seems to be the pattern in Connecticut, and the facility itself is falling apart in more than one way. People are nice which is always a good thing, but often times this is lost because of the stressful pressure put on students.
Read 220 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,220 Students
12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Hall High School
West Hartford School District, CT
9-12
188
6 Best Public High Schools in Hartford Area
Alum: The school has excellent academics, great sports and fabulous arts programs to give every student something to do. There is a wide range of language classes available for students to take, including Latin, Chinese, Spanish and French! All the teachers are awesome, and they are truly invested in the students growth and learning. Teachers are always willing to put in extra work to help a student succeed, no kid is forgotten about in the classroom. This school helped prepare me for college in so many ways, making the transition very easy. The classes are difficult but manageable, they really hep prepare the students for college from the beginning of 9th grade.
Read 188 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,463 Students
15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Connecticut International Baccalaureate Academy
East Hartford School District, CT
9-12
125
7 Best Public High Schools in Hartford Area
Niche User: Our international students that have attended and currently attend this school have felt welcomed by the entire school community, been offered a quality education, and were given multiple opportunities to excel both in high school and their college years beyond. We highly recommend this school to future international and domestic parents and students.
Read 125 Reviews
A
Overall Niche Grade
192 Students
15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Academy of Aerospace & Engineering
Public School
Windsor, CT
6-12
88
8 Best Public High Schools in Hartford Area
Senior: In my time in this school, since the beginning of 6th grade to my senior year, I have only been met with kindness, intelligence, and a fantastic community. Almost every teacher treats their job as not an obligation, but as a privilege. The faculty in the office are always warm and inviting, and the academics are to die for. I love this school with all my heart, but no school is perfect. We have our faults here at AAE, and we work endlessly to eradicate them. But the uniform thing sucks.
Read 88 Reviews
A
Overall Niche Grade
702 Students
13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Canton High School
Canton School District, CT
9-12
75
9 Best Public High Schools in Hartford Area
Alum: Canton High School is just your average small town high school. There's not much to say besides that the teachers and staff members genuinely care about their students. It makes you feel much more welcome and safe knowing you are cared for. I wished that there were more opportunities to try new classes without any downsides. Most of the students in Canton have lived there for their whole lives, which could be both good and bad since gossip spreads like wild fire. The town is very safe and the security in the school is satisfactory, cameras in the halls, automatic locks on all doors, etc. Overall Canton is a great school, everyone is full of school spirit and a love for sports. The only problem was how the students acted towards others, like
I mentioned earlier; it's a small town and a small school.
Read 75 Reviews
A
Overall Niche Grade
488 Students
14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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- 2019 Best Public Middle Schools
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South Windsor High School
South Windsor School District, CT
9-12
169
10 Best Public High Schools in Hartford Area
Senior: My experience with South Windsor high School was 5 star beginning with my teachers. They knew just how to impart knowledge and how to motivate students to learn. No student is left behind. Each is helped to work up to his/her capacity and overcome any educational and social barriers to self fulfillment.
The School itself a wonderful environment in which to study and interact with classmates. From its bustling corridors to is modern library, it allows students to study learn and thrive.
I loved the fact the South Windsor High School thrives on diversity and allows all of its students to shine and be themselves.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my high school and all of the fond memories given to me by its faculty, classmates, support staff and my classmates.
Read 169 Reviews
A
Overall Niche Grade
1,318 Students
12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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University High School of Science and Engineering
Hartford School District, CT
9-12
111
11 Best Public High Schools in Hartford Area
Parent: My son has had a great experience at UHSSE. Mostly, the academic opportunities that are afforded to the kids at UHSSE are incredible, allowing the kids to earn college credits and actual college experience from University of Hartford. Sports are difficult, first and foremost because we don't have our own gym for practices. Secondly, there aren't enough kids at our school to support full teams, so we have to partner with other schools to create them, which does not allow for camaraderie and often hurts chemistry, but I suppose that we should just be thankful that we have a sports program these days!

The administration is amazing and the teachers are terrific. My son has had great academic success and owes it to the incredible staff at UHSSE. Overall, a great high school experience!
Read 111 Reviews
A-
Overall Niche Grade
431 Students
15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Wethersfield High School
Wethersfield School District, CT
9-12
180
12 Best Public High Schools in Hartford Area
Senior: Overall, I've had a pretty good experience here at Wethersfield High School. Throughout all my years here, I've met many great people, made new friends, met a few awesome teachers, and most importantly, I've learned so much. WHS is a good high school for people who are into sports, because our school is heavily involved in sports and our teams usually perform very well. Wethersfield High School is also great in terms of diversity. There are many types of students that attend, from white, black, hispanic, asian, and a whole variety of ethnicities. I'd say WHS is a perfect school for any time of student, and it's been a fun journey.
Read 180 Reviews
A-
Overall Niche Grade
1,185 Students
14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Bristol Central High School
Bristol School District, CT
9-12
129
13 Best Public High Schools in Hartford Area
Alum: What I really liked about Bristol Central was the sports. I was involved in track and field. We didn't normally call each other a team, we were a family. Everybody supported each other as family would. The team motto was "Family". What I would like to see change at Bristol Central is the amount of effort that is put into helping students get ready for college. I felt as if there wasn't very much help in preparing us for college. I was lucky enough to be in a program called AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination). Throughout my four years of high school I was prepped for life in college. We were taught a better way to take notes, how to manage our time for our classes, how to stay organized, etc. Prior to starting high school only a handful of students were chosen to be in the program. I feel that if there was a better way for students to have the experience I had, then there will be more students ready for/ going to college.
Read 129 Reviews
A-
Overall Niche Grade
1,167 Students
15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Rocky Hill High School
Rocky Hill School District, CT
9-12
118
14 Best Public High Schools in Hartford Area
Senior: I have had a great experience at Rocky Hill High School . The teachers, faculty members and all my coaches have always been very supportive to me since I started as a freshman. The relationships that I have formed will always carry with me throughout my college years and beyond. The sports of football, wrestling, and lacrosse that I have played at the high school have been a tremendous experience. This is a small community but the fans and support that players receive is far from small. Academically I have challenged myself and was named to the National Honor Society my junior year. My teachers have always been available if I needed to stay after for any questions and have always been flexible with me being in sports. They give us confidence to be the smartest student we can be and to push ourselves beyond what we think we can do and for that I am grateful .
Read 118 Reviews
A-
Overall Niche Grade
705 Students
12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Southington High School
Southington School District, CT
9-12
251
15 Best Public High Schools in Hartford Area
Senior: Southington high offers a warm and welcoming environment that offers a lot of activities. One can chose between a numerous amount of clubs and extra curricular activities. But the biggest craze is the sports! Built around an amazing football program, Southington is full of competitive sports with a rich history of winning.
Read 251 Reviews
A-
Overall Niche Grade
1,967 Students
13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Cromwell High School
Cromwell School District, CT
9-12
55
16 Best Public High Schools in Hartford Area
Alum: High School is obviously a very controversial stage in an adolescents life and for me I had my ups and downs through my career at Cromwell High School. I'd like to say that attending Cromwell High School is what made me who I am today because I learned so much there, from friends, teachers, classes and so on. Overall, my experience there was amazing and I appreciate the time I had spent at Cromwell High School!
Read 55 Reviews
B+
Overall Niche Grade
578 Students
12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Lewis S. Mills High School
Regional School District No. 10, CT
9-12
180
17 Best Public High Schools in Hartford Area
Senior: I will not lie, Mills is not very diverse. However, I have loved my experience and although I might not be a particular fan of some of the people, teachers, or stresses, I feel it has undoubtedly prepared me for the future. The teachers for the most part are exceptional and often form strong bonds with students that last after their short time at mills. As far as academics and workload, they are more advanced than some other schools but overall fitting with the level of the classes chosen; demanding if you take higher level classes and less demanding if you don't.
Read 180 Reviews
B+
Overall Niche Grade
778 Students
13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Bolton High School
Bolton School District, CT
9-12
76
18 Best Public High Schools in Hartford Area
Senior: I have only been attending Bolton High School for 2 years, but in these 2 years I have grown a lot in academic education. Since Bolton is a very small school and there are only 70 students in my grade I was able to connect with my teachers and receive help whenever I needed it. Another thing that is great about Bolton is that whenever you try out for a sport there are most likely not going to be any cuts so you'll make it! This keeps students self-esteem high and helps them stay fit. However, my school does not have enough school spirit, and I would like to see that grow. There are also a lot of cliques in Bolton, which prevent everyone from being friends and sometimes causes bullying. Overall, I am very grateful to have attended Bolton High and will miss it.
Read 76 Reviews
B+
Overall Niche Grade
307 Students
10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Newington High School
Newington School District, CT
9-12
182
19 Best Public High Schools in Hartford Area
Senior: Newington High School is a positive and nurturing school environment. I feel continuously challenged with my classes and feel that the current administration cares greatly about the student body. There are a wide variety of clubs and activities to get involved with, whether you are athletic, artistic, or otherwise. They take pride in keeping the school clean and providing resources such as laptops, a Student Assistance Center, and a Peer Tutoring Club. We also have a great counseling department and school psychologist/social worker available to students if needed. I feel like I have had a great overall experience these last 4 years at NHS!
Read 182 Reviews
B+
Overall Niche Grade
1,266 Students
14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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East Granby High School
East Granby School District, CT
9-12
91
20 Best Public High Schools in Hartford Area
Senior: My experience at East Granby High School is extremely hands on. Due to the fact that we are the smallest public school system in Connecticut, classes sizes are very small allowing individual assistance to each student. The teachers within the school have always been helpful and understanding with both school work and personal problems. A change East Granby could make is healthier lunches and more respect to the arts programs within the school. Overall, East Granby High School is an excellent school with wonderful staff and a close community.
Read 91 Reviews
B+
Overall Niche Grade
264 Students
10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Berlin High School
Berlin School District, CT
9-12
171
21 Best Public High Schools in Hartford Area
Senior: My overall high school experience has been truly rewarding. I have surrounded myself with a diverse group of friends who all have different strengths and talents. My teachers have been very helpful, they treat you not only as a student, but as a person. They understand high school is tough and that home life can be stressful as well. They show much personality within their teaching. I have decided to do something completely unlike of me my Senior year and do the school musical. I was welcomed with open arms and met new people that I would have never gotten the chance to talk to before! I am overall very pleased with my high school experience and wouldn't doubt that many students would agree with my statement.
Read 171 Reviews
B+
Overall Niche Grade
953 Students
12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Middletown High School
Middletown School District, CT
9-12
240
22 Best Public High Schools in Hartford Area
Senior: Middletown High School has been far more than a school for me in the past four years. It has been a second home, an adventure, and a place I have come to love. Middletown High School is a welcoming place that offers not only amazing opportunities through its myriad of classes but also through it wide selection of clubs and athletic teams. Beyond that, the fellow students I had the pleasure of attending this wonderful school were not only accepting but welcoming and always pushing each other to be our best. I can confidently say because of MHS that I am ready for college and I have no concerns about succeeding in school. I wish every teen could experience the intense pride and welcoming environment MHS has provided for me! While I am looking forward to graduation and the next exciting chapter that college will be in my life, I will always hold onto my Blue Dragon roots.
Read 240 Reviews
B+
Overall Niche Grade
1,202 Students
13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Windsor High School
Windsor School District, CT
9-12
212
23 Best Public High Schools in Hartford Area
Senior: Windsor High School is a diverse school which has students come from around the world. Windsor High School help the students take their chances in their future and brings a lot of opportunities to students to enrich education. Windsor High School known as the second house for the students which showed by the warmth of the teachers who are disposable to help students all the time by their enthusiasm, and the devotion of the staffs are securities, the cleaning workers, the polices. Windsor High School not only educates the students how to bright their career and their future by the salutary lessons but also teach them to be responsible, respectful in behavior, to be a good person, an useful citizens to develop the country. Windsor High School brings everyone together and each member in Windsor High School will shine by their own talents.
Read 212 Reviews
B+
Overall Niche Grade
1,096 Students
9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Plainville High School
Plainville School District, CT
9-12
94
24 Best Public High Schools in Hartford Area
High School Senior: As graduation approaches in the upcoming month I look back at my four years at Plainville High School and with a open heart I am thankful to have been surrounded by such amazing and positive people. Although there are many different cliques in high school and not everyone is close our grade is united and we bring people together when it is necessary to do so. My principal Mr. Steven Lepage is by far one of the most supportive and caring individuals within our building. Every morning on our morning announcements we receive a quote to help us get through our school day. With his support and dedication our school runs profoundly with many clubs and activities. If I could rewind back to my freshman year and redo my last four years over again I wouldn't change a thing about my school or my classmates. GO BLUE DEVILS!
Read 94 Reviews
B+
Overall Niche Grade
744 Students
12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Portland High School
Portland School District, CT
9-12
65
25 Best Public High Schools in Hartford Area
Niche User: High school was an amazing time for me; I made so many friends and grew close with some of my teachers. I learned a lot while having fun! Portland High School didn't feel like a waste of time and I looked forward to coming to school and learning something everyday, as well as communicating with friends! There was always extra help if you needed it, the faculty were awesome, and the guidance office always helped students no matter what! If I could do it all over again, I would!
Read 65 Reviews
B
Overall Niche Grade
384 Students
12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Charlottesville Catholic School
Private School
Charlottesville, VA
PK, K-8
7
Parent: Our family LOVES CCS! Our two boys went through CCS and are much better young men and students as a result. The overall environment at the Catholic School is exceptional. Academically, the students are encouraged, supported, and pushed to do their very best in the classroom. The teachers do an amazing job of reaching each student individually which translates into a trusting, caring, and successful school experience for the student, the parent(s), and also the teacher. In and out of the classroom the teachers and staff also do an extraordinary job of instilling discipline, self-respect and respect for others, thoughtfulness, and a sense of community and personal responsibility. Our boys continue to excel each and every year both as students and as young men in our community and I believe those valuable traits are a direct result of the foundation, mentorship, and guidance that they received as students at the Charlottesville Catholic School.
Read 7 Reviews
NG
Overall Niche Grade
337 Students
15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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New Canaan Country School
Private School
New Canaan, CT
PK, K-9
9
Parent: We have three children in their fifth year at New Canaan Country School and I'm also an alum. I cannot say enough good things about it! The teachers are engaged, delivering a curriculum that is hands-on and appropriately challenging, preparing students well for competitive high schools. The teachers really get to know your kids. They take joy in their successes and work with you to help them succeed. Daily sports, broad exposure to the arts, a wide range of extracurriculars, and many opportunities for leadership and service throughout the journey – all of these enhance the core academic experience to create students who are well-rounded, intellectually curious and socially aware. The strong sense of community helps teach manners / respect for others, community values and social skills. The beautiful 80-acre campus becomes part of the curriculum as the children tap maple trees for syrup or explore the woodlands in science. I could go on … Love this place!
Read 9 Reviews
NG
Overall Niche Grade
600 Students
6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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1 of 4

Glastonbury High School

Simsbury High School

Conard High School

St. Luke's School

Avon High School

Farmington High School

Hall High School

Connecticut International Baccalaureate Academy

Academy of Aerospace & Engineering

Canton High School

South Windsor High School

University High School of Science and Engineering

Wethersfield High School

Bristol Central High School

Rocky Hill High School

Southington High School

Cromwell High School

Lewis S. Mills High School

Bolton High School

Newington High School

East Granby High School

Berlin High School

Middletown High School

Windsor High School

Plainville High School

Portland High School

Charlottesville Catholic School

New Canaan Country School