2023 Best Public High Schools in Massachusetts

• Worcester, MA•

• Public School•

• 11-12

• •
  Rating 4.6 out of 5  73 reviews

Senior: Mass Academy is an amazing school! The collaborative environment and assignments that are geared toward challenge and real-world applications make being a student here an inspiring and enjoyable experience. The academics are top-notch and challenging, and everyone will help each other. With the small size of ~ 50 students per grade, you get to know each of the faculty members and your classmates personally. The faculty offer a lot of support with independent projects and the college application process. Senior year at WPI prepares you well for college. Although you are always busy as a junior, most of the projects are truly enjoyable because you get to work in a group, including when designing an app and assistive technology device. There are also great classes in the humanities and language, so students gain skills in math and science as well as writing, English, history, and Spanish/French. I would strongly consider applying here if you are interested in collaboration and challenge!... Read 73 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 100

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Lexington Public Schools, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  377 reviews

Senior: Yeah, Lexington high school is stressful. Not necessarily because of our academics (though many of our teachers are Ivy/t20 grads) but because of the students. We’re very competitive, and there’s an external drive/stress culture depending on who you hang out with. It’s very common for us to send most of our class (even the “popular” and “slacker” kids) to top schools for their major. We have no school spirit but that never mattered to me. Not many people attend football games or care about traditional high school popularity, which is refreshing. And our school is so big that you will definitely find your crowd. Finally: yes, we’re known for our bad mental health, as expected from a top high school. But many teachers are really understanding of your circumstances, so don’t be afraid to reach out to them! Overall, I’d definitely recommend LHS. I got to know so many amazing and intelligent friends and staff, while obtaining a great education.... Read 377 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,261

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Boston Public Schools, MA•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  539 reviews

Senior: Boston Latin School is undoubtedly rigorous. The curriculum and workload translate into this intense pressure that many students find difficult to bear. Of course, this rigor is helpful for students to prepare for whatever is coming next in their professional/academic careers. I have found that each course provides me with the knowledge and readiness for the path I intend to take, and BLS has given me even more opportunities to expand and grow as a student. This rigor does come with a cost, however, and it is greatly reflected in each student's mental, emotional, and physical health. Many students here understand the intense pressure that comes with this sort of environment and therefore adapt by any means necessary. The difficulty of the coursework often leads some students to neglect healthy habits and good sleep schedules, and although BLS has taken many strides in ensuring that they spread more awareness on personal care, they still have many improvements to make.... Read 539 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,483

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Weston Public Schools, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.58 out of 5  106 reviews

Alum: The experience at Weston High, I can say that it has shaped me into who I am today from the hard courses to the loud engaging lunch room it not only provided me with amazing people I can proudly call family but a lifetime supply worth of lessons I can use for such; A lifetime. Nothing is perfect but one thing that can be changed is how racial problems can and possibly should be solved. It is true that racism is indeed a touchy subject but not touchy enough to avoid the whole thing and for it to be swept under the rug. It should appropriately be discussed and handled. Weston High will forever be my home, forever a Weston wildcat!... Read 106 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 630

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Public Schools of Brookline, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  351 reviews

Senior: Brookline High School as a whole is a great experience. There are so many options for classes and electives! Most of the teachers seem to genuinely care about their students. There are so many clubs, sports, and activities- you can certainly find something you’re interested in (or make your own club!). The culture is competitive but teachers are always available to support students. As with any school, there are issues but ultimately students, teachers, administrators, and the town collaborate to make changes.... Read 351 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,035

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Newton Public Schools, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  394 reviews

Sophomore: North is pretty good, mostly because of the funding and the fact that it's in a more middle to high income area. Sometimes incidents happen but that's to be expected in a high-school. Feels safe and has cool and good classes with Kostya good teachers. The facilities are mostly clean, although sometimes there might be some shenanigans in there. School is pretty clean, sometimes the stairs are dusty but that's not a huge deal, Dean's and counselers are cool too, so overall a good school. Would recommend!... Read 394 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,073

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Belmont Public Schools, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  229 reviews

Alum: Amazing academics and college matriculation. Many high achieving students but not over the top competitive. About 18 AP classes, many honors and electives. New building is insane. Really great music and art departments for a public school, variety of well established sport teams. Hundreds of clubs, good resources available, and many nice teachers and people. Very safe. Overall, the experience is what you make of it as it is still a public high school and every school has its problems but BHS is definitely one of the best out there!... Read 229 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,309

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Sharon Public Schools, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  160 reviews

Senior: Sharon High School is an excellent school, especially in terms of academics and preparing me for applying and attending college. The school offers courses from various levels spanning from foundations to AP level. In each course there is a teacher who is very well educated and teaches the class extremely well, making the material comprehensible for every student. In addition, as an AP student at my school, I have felt prepared and received high results on my AP exams without having to do any additional studying outside of how they prepare us in class. Sharon High's counselors are also excellent because they are always there for you when you have questions, have amazing resources for every need, and provide multiple college application help sessions. My school also invites colleges from all over in the fall, letting students discover new universities without the need to travel. To conclude, Sharon High School is an excellent place for classes and college readiness.... Read 160 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,131

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Newton Public Schools, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  321 reviews

Junior: I really like Newton South! The academics here are great while also demanding enough to prepare all students for higher education. The teachers are great and are accommodating and actually care about students. Unfortunately, I feel that the school culture is not really there for me, and grades seem to be cliquey in some noticeable ways. Otherwise, there is a multitude of great clubs and activities that students can join, and there are a number of sports offered at the school.... Read 321 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,869

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Acton-Boxborough Regional School District, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  249 reviews

Senior: I liked the friends and bonds that I made at Acton Boxborough. The teachers are overall very kind, generous, and want the best for you. The school events such as football and basketball games were very fun. I was very fortunate to have good friends that I could always rely on. I think an area where AB fell short was how competitive and stressful it could be. At some points, it seemed like academics were all that mattered and not the student's mental health. AB could do some more fun events for their students to be a stress release in the future. Overall, I really liked Acton Boxborough!... Read 249 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,751

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Hopkinton Public Schools, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  225 reviews

Sophomore: Hopkinton is a very academically driven school. There is not much pressure from teachers but most kids are very motivated. Teachers (for the most part) are very helpful and understanding. A good range of sports are available for boys and girls, including some very accomplished teams. The arts and music programs are very diverse, offering a wide range of choices for students. There are also many clubs on all sorts of topics. Overall, Hopkinton is a great school to be a part of. My only complaints are the social culture could be better (though it's not terrible) and the school lunches are pretty disgusting.... Read 225 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,198

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Dover-Sherborn Regional School District, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  84 reviews

Parent: Just love this school district and the value they put on education AND inclusion. Our children are heard with this new administration and how they approach balance of academic rigor and adolescent social development and mental well-being. Those who disagree care about dumb rankings like Niche, Boston & US News, and that is why our children suffer the consequences and succumb to unnecessary pressure often leading to unhealthiness, anxiety and depression. Steer clear of reviews like the one below. It’s inaccurate. As far as diversity is concerned, in these two sleepy suburb communities, the numbers mirror most towns of these sizes in race and income. Bussing children in from other communities has created success for some, but tends to add stress to the children without means as comparisons steal joy.... Read 84 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 674

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Wellesley Public Schools, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  174 reviews

Alum: Wellesley Senior High School is an excellent school exceding admirable quality in education, student well-being, student-teacher relations, and preparations for the student's next stage. Being an epitome of public schools across the country, everyone from the faculty to the student matches their best to foster a healthy, understanding environment needed for successful students. Students have access to unprecedented resources for their academic achievements, personal passions, and physical and mental well-being. The school hosts various academic competitions, clubs, and experts to further students' experiences and engage students' interests. The school even provides various academic and psychological health networks for those in need for guaranteed success. That being said, due to the success rooted in everyone's responsibility and commitment, some may not find the same accessibility as others. However, much is possible at Wellesley Senior High School with a go-getter mindset.... Read 174 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,469

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Sudbury, MA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  283 reviews

Sophomore: Unlike many high schools in the area, LS provides students with a "college-like" selection of many courses, such as English. We have about 20 courses to choose from, ranging anywhere from Expository Writing to Modern-British Literature, mostly structured as semester-long classes so students can experience a more diverse educational experience. The teachers are phenomenal, and really take advantage of the flexible curriculum to teach students more than just the required. The counseling department is also stellar, really making me feel more prepared and less stressed about college. While LS is very academically and athletically competitive, the school atmosphere is strong, and the halls are always friendly and cheerful. Overall, a great high school experience.... Read 283 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,525

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Marlborough, MA•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  267 reviews

Junior: AMSA is a public charter school founded in 2005 with a mission to provide a rigorous and challenging academic program that emphasizes math, science, and technology. The school offers a variety of advanced placement (AP) courses and earn college credit while still in high school. The curriculum emphasizes science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects. AMSA has a diverse student body and offers a variety of extracurricular activities and clubs, including athletics, music, drama, and community service. The school has a strong commitment to community service and encourages students to give back to their communities through volunteering and service projects. Overall, AMSA is known for its rigorous academic program, innovative approach to education, and commitment to community service. It may be a good fit for students who are interested in STEM subjects and are looking for a challenging and supportive academic environment.... Read 267 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 966

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Wayland Public Schools, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  153 reviews

Sophomore: Very hard classes offered, there is a huge jump between college (reg) classes vs honors for math and sciences. Sophomore year, there are four different levels of chemistry classes available, and then AP chem you can take the next year. Food is eh, but there is a very wide variety of options. There aren't many trips, nor are there a lot of school-bonding experiences. We don't have homecoming nor senior prom. There is sophomore semi-formal and junior prom (which many seniors can sometimes sneak into). From what I've heard from other students, we need better language teachers.... Read 153 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 836

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Westborough Public Schools, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  226 reviews

Senior: Being a student at Westborough Highschool was a good experience, but I just know if I were to put myself out there more it would’ve been even better. I regret not doing a sport or joining any clubs, I regret not going to as many school events as I wanted, I regret wasting my highschool years playing video games and scrolling on social media. So next year in college I definitely want to do things I never had the courage to do in highschool, joining a club, possibly a sport and going to as many college events as possible. I also had good relationships with my teachers, they were all for the most part kind and understanding, and I will of course miss them all as I graduate this year!... Read 226 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,182

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Concord, MA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  207 reviews

Alum: Overall, I had a really positive experience in high school. Academically I utilized my resources and made the most out of what was given to me. I found hobbies and clubs that I liked through the extracurriculars. I think the school is very well funded and highly educated. We had lots of opportunities that were not available to other school districts. For that same reason, I think it is very clear that there administrative gaps between consequences and actions.... Read 207 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,316

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Westwood Public Schools, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  226 reviews

Senior: My experience at Westwood High School has been eventful and innovative. Westwood has consistently challenged me to be my very best and push myself to new limits. Regarding education, teachers are completely invested in their students and provide the school with meaningful instruction. The community at Westwood is inclusive and encouraging. Although there isn't a lot of diversity, as a Muslim girl, I feel incredibly welcomed by everyone. The friends and connections I have formed at school will last a lifetime and are incredibly important for my mental health. Additionally, Westwood High School always acknowledges how students are struggling with the workload and how that affects their performance. In order to limit this effect, the district provides students with accessible resources such as therapy and yoga classes. Overall, my experience living in Westwood for most of my life has been extremely rewarding.... Read 226 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 993

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Needham Public Schools, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  265 reviews

Junior: Overall, my experience at NHS has been a relatively good one! I've never had significant problems with my teachers, although some are definitely better at teaching than others. However, that can be said about most schools. I'm incredibly grateful for the open-campus policy as it gives students more freedom to choose a place they are able to better focus or accommodate their needs. That said, Needham, which can be labeled as a "liberal" town, still has its fair share to do in combating racism and other forms of discrimination. While being a white-dominated school itself does not warrant any problems, I have personally witnessed the more covert prejudice that runs within the student population. It's subtle, but it's there. Luckily, from what I've heard from friends, the school offers many great guidance counselors. Students can go there to discuss future plans or anything that's bothering their minds, and I think the school does an adequate job of providing mental health resources.... Read 265 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,670

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Westford Public Schools, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  302 reviews

Alum: Westford Academy (WA) was an amazing high school. I truly felt like I was being well prepared for college course work and expectations. All the teachers at WA were really passionate about teaching students and cared about every student's success. There were a numerous clubs and activities to join and the school promoted a safe and positive learning environment. WA is well known for its great academics but it also encourages students to engage in extra curricular activities like sports and music. Overall, WA is an amazing, well-rounded school and have had the best four years there!... Read 302 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,645

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Harvard Public Schools, MA•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  72 reviews

Alum: I loved the people, and the education itself was incredible. I was challenged and supported academically in order to better succeed in college. I loved the teachers, and their willingness to help you in any way they could really was apparent. As an alumni now, I am proud to say that I went to such a well rounded school, and their initiatives to promote diversity and empowerment really added to my takeaways, and experience as a whole. One thing that I did not love about Bromfield was that it was often strict and biased on expectations. For example, we had a dress code that was often only directed towards female students. Additionally, if you were a star student or athlete, you were often exempt from punishment or rules, or had a slap on the wrist, whereas for anyone else, the consequences would have been much greater. All in all, this is a very minor issue in comparison to the many positive aspects of the school. They strive for greatness, and they give us the opportunities to do so.... Read 72 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 593

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Winchester Public Schools, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.6 out of 5  154 reviews

Senior: I've attended Winchester Public Schools my entire life. I feel the academic rigor of Winchester High School is quite high and I appreciate the quality of education I receive there. They are making a lot of efforts to add more elective classes. However, I feel the administration at WHS is not great. They show little interest in student voices and often are difficult to work with. The guidance counselors are good but they are overworked; we need more of them.... Read 154 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,403

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Shrewsbury Public Schools, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  407 reviews

Junior: Attending Shrewsbury High School is not a unique experience, it's a means to an end. Like any other school, it has strengths and weaknesses. Some teachers are amazing, some classes are constantly engaging; some teachers probably should've considered a different profession, and some classes make it a struggle not to fall asleep. Our school is very academically focused and mainly directs attention towards gifted students rather than those who need help. The environment of the students can be very toxic due to the general pressure to pursue a stem related field. Pursuing the arts or humanities is generally not supported. The school mainly directs its money towards sports, leaving most other clubs poorly organized and less popular. The town of Shrewsbury is generally well off, which contributes to pressure of students to go to prestigious colleges and be successful monetary wise. The student population is diverse, but doesn't address it, and the staff is not diverse at all.... Read 407 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,873

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Northborough, MA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  242 reviews

Senior: Overall, my experience at Algonquin Regional High School was very good. The majority of teachers and faculty members were extremely helpful and pleasant to work with over my years at the school. Whether it was an academic or personal issue, I always felt that there was a teacher or guidance counselor that I could reach out to for support. I also recognized the commitment to academics at Algonquin and the variety of specialized courses offered prepares students for what they want to focus on in college. Although Algonquin has put effort into this issue, there is definitely more that can be done to promote inclusivity and kindness within the school.... Read 242 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,355

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1