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2020 Best Public High Schools in New JerseyAbout this List

The 2020 Best Public High Schools ranking is based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Ranking factors include state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, and high school ratings. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

1 – 25 of 485
Best Schools
485 results

  1. Bergen County Academies

    • Public School
    • Hackensack, NJ
    • 9-12
    • 473 reviews
    #1 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

    Senior: One's time spent at BCA will heavily be influenced by their academy. Even though each academy has different workloads, there are some academies with bigger workloads than others, meaning students in those academies have to sacrifice more of their time to get the same high grades as students of other academies. Some classes are geared to a specific academy, meaning students only of a certain academy are allowed to take them. However, there are many clubs, electives, societies, and sports students can take to enrich themselves in various ways. Also, the school is structured like college, having multiple free times throughout a day, allowing students to relax, have fun, take extra classes, or work on schoolwork throughout the day. BCA's student environment can get very competitive, but at end of the day all the students are respected by others. The students thrive with the help of teachers, administrators, and, of course, their peers.
    Read 473 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,098 Students
    • 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  2. High Technology High School

    • Public School
    • Lincroft, NJ
    • 9-12
    • 88 reviews
    #2 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

    Senior: Overall, my high school experience has been anything but ordinary. HTHS as a school demands hard work and dedication to your studies, and if you are not able to work at this high caliber and keep up with the rigorous coarse work, you can find yourself in a bit of trouble. All of the teachers are wonderful and supportive, and are really some of the best teachers I have every had. The students are competitive, but that is to be expected when you are thrown in a pool with so many intelligent and driven people. Although some students prefer to read their physics textbooks over having face-to-face human conversations, HTHS is charming in a nerdy way. Accommodations for health issues, however, are far and few in between which really puts a damper on all of the other positive attributes of the school. However, High Tech is still a great school full of opportunities for those willing to work hard and take on the challenge that is High Technology High School.
    Read 88 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 287 Students
    • 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  3. Union County Magnet High School

    • Public School
    • Scotch Plains, NJ
    • 9-12
    • 128 reviews
    #3 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

    Junior: Union County Magnet High School is an excellent school! The student community feels like family and the teachers are available to their students often. It’s a very safe environment both physically and emotionally. There are no sports through Magnet, but students can participate in the programs of their “sending districts”, which is nice. It would be great if they fixed the sinks in the bathrooms, but other than that there isn’t much to complain about.
    Read 128 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 304 Students
    • 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  4. Biotechnology High School

    • Public School
    • Freehold, NJ
    • 9-12
    • 107 reviews
    #4 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

    Senior: Biotechnology is a great school to learn time management and STEM. Heavy work load with both group and solo projects. Heavy emphasis on Biology. Great friends and staff. Learned a lot about how to manage my time with school work, homework and after school activities. All the after school activities are student managed with a teacher as an adviser. Many of these activities have their meetings during the lunch hour, so time management is a plus. Lunch hour is interesting in that many things are happening at once - eating, of course, is priority, but many students will practice an instrument or play ping pong. Just a real "downtime" time. Biotech is a very safe school and a great honor system. You don't have to lock your locker and you can leave your computer out, walk away from it , come back hours later, and it's still there, untouched. Overall, a great school to excel in as well as a very safe, secure environment.
    Read 107 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 323 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  5. OCVTS - Marine Academy of Technology & Environmental Science (MATES)

    • Public School
    • Manahawkin, NJ
    • 9-12
    • 135 reviews
    #5 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

    Senior: An amazing school with endless resources available for students looking to pursue any STEM-related field, not just environmental science. We have tons of students interested in everything from computer science to aerospace engineering to chemistry to physics!

    Research program is great and there's many opportunities to realize your full potential in any activity you choose to pursue.
    Read 135 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 275 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  6. Bergen County Technical High School - Teterboro

    • Public School
    • Teterboro, NJ
    • 9-12
    • 217 reviews
    #6 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

    Senior: Bergen Tech Teterboro is really a wonderful school in so many ways! It has offered me so many different opportunities to further my academic career as well as many different ways to pursue my passions. One thing I love about our school is that since we're a technical school we have majors, Digital Media for the win, we have the chance to not only learn skills that we would have to wait for college to learn, but we also have the opportunity to work with industry standard equipment and materials that prepare us for entry into the workforce. Our senior internship program also allows the seniors another opportunity to intern and get real work experience in professional settings as high school seniors!
    Read 217 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 665 Students
    • 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  9. The Academy for Mathematics, Science & Engineering

    • Public School
    • Rockaway, NJ
    • 9-12
    • 29 reviews
    #7 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

    Junior: It’s a great school for those wanting a STEM experience before reaching college, regardless of the fact that they may not want to pursue an engineering, or science field as their career. However, the classes are extremely rigorous, and if are not committed 101%, you should reconsider your choice to enroll. Regardless, the school is fruitful and wildly exciting because of all the like-minded students and faculty all ready to help!
    Read 29 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 101 Students
    • 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  10. Academy for Allied Health Science

    • Public School
    • Scotch Plains, NJ
    • 9-12
    • 108 reviews
    #8 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

    Senior: Allied Health is a great place to go to high school. The classes are small, and you get the best academic rigor you can get. I learned many useful skills in medicine and health, and my study skills and leadership have strengthened tremendously. Most of the specialized allied health classes are in dual enrollment with Rutgers university, so students are able to earn credits each year after they pass the test. The teachers and counselors give excellent support in learning, test prep, and applying to college. However, the curriculum can be a little constricting; I only had one elective junior year and three for senior year. I also wish there were more classes in the arts, which there are very few. Also, there are no sports teams, so students play for their town's high school. Overall, I had an amazing experience at Allied, and I would recomend middle schoolers to start looking into UCVTS if they are interested in a unique, challening high school experience.
    Read 108 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 297 Students
    • 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  11. Academy for Information Technology

    • Public School
    • Scotch Plains, NJ
    • 9-12
    • 112 reviews
    #9 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

    Parent: As a County magnet school, AIT attracts students who are eager to learn about computer science and business. The campus structure and expectations make this high school more like a college setting. As a parent I am proud that my children enjoy learning, and happy that they have found a public high school that will make them rise to meet challenges. The academic program is not easy. There is a lot of work involved in meeting the challenge of this program, but it is worth the effort!
    Read 112 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 300 Students
    • 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  12. Princeton High School

    • Princeton Public Schools, NJ
    • 9-12
    • 297 reviews
    #10 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

    Senior: Princeton High school is an academically driven institution filled with students who want to learn and succeed. The school is very good at preparing students for the success they strive for challenging but valuable courses. A majority of students take several AP classes per year while also participating in clubs and sports. I would like to see a change in school spirit since students are so involved in academics and extracurriculars, the student body is extremely independent.
    Read 297 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,610 Students
    • 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  13. Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School

    • Jersey City School District, NJ
    • 9-12
    • 249 reviews
    #11 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

    Freshman: I like the many selections of courses, the amount of APs and the good teachers that help the students with whatever they need. The school is a very good environment and it is recommended that you attend this school because it is a public school, meaning its free. Also the teams that the school offers is of a vast variety, such as swimming, baseball, track and field, basketball, volleyball, and many more!
    Read 249 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 683 Students
    • 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  14. Millburn Senior High School

    • Millburn Township School District, NJ
    • 9-12
    • 176 reviews
    #12 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

    Senior: To me personally, Millburn Senior High School provides its students a tremendous amount of room for academic challenges. Generally, a considerable percentage of students begin taking AP courses since their Sophomore years. Schoolwork can be challenging of course, as students are taking harder courses and are expected to excel. These experiences, however, help students prepare for college -- Millburn graduates may find college to be not as difficult when compared with other college students.
    Read 176 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,421 Students
    • 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  15. West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South

    • West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District, NJ
    • 9-12
    • 282 reviews
    #13 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

    Senior: Apart from the rigorous and challenging coursework offered in various STEM and liberal arts subjects, West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South offers great opportunities for students to grow outside of the academic environment by participating in extracurriculars such as sports, clubs, and theater. Giving students the opportunity to take initiative in their community by starting their own clubs after school or joining the Student Council are other prominent benefits of attending this school. Moreover, the people at WWP High School South, like the various teachers, have helped students grow their knowledge as well as other skills and traits needed for the real world in the 21st century.

    Something I would like to see change in this school is the stressful environment. There is great collaboration between students and teachers; however, I believe there is room for more collaboration between parents with teachers and parents with students.
    Read 282 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,601 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  16. Union County Vocational-Technical High School

    • Public School
    • Scotch Plains, NJ
    • 9-12
    • 205 reviews
    #14 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

    Senior: It’s a very large diverse campus! I believe that there’s a crowd/person for everyone there, no matter how different. The campus is beautiful with modern usable equipment for your specific academy. All classes are honors or above and colleges love accepting students from UCVTS. Most of the teachers are dedicated to challenging and educating their students. It’s an amazing place to attend and I 100% prefer it over going to a school in my district.
    Read 205 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 16 Students
    • 1:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  17. Tenafly High School

    • Tenafly Public School District, NJ
    • 9-12
    • 110 reviews
    #15 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

    Senior: While the academics and faculty are usualy very helpful and good for my classes. I would like to see less e days in the rotating block schedule, because it makes it easier for a student to manage their homework when they have more regular days that aren't packed with classes. Another thing is that with the new block schedule it is harder to find classes at the beginning of the year, so the school should set the student potal up with a schedule for each letter day so the student can find their class more easily. Although I like how the school also offers chromebooks many students damage them because they aren't being monitored. A chromebook that is missing keys will make it increasingly hard to write with and will slow down the students ability to type. I recommend that the school assign numbered chromebook so that we can find out the students that are doing this and discourage them from doing so.
    Read 110 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,193 Students
    • 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  18. Academy of Allied Health & Science

    • Public School
    • Neptune, NJ
    • 9-12
    • 95 reviews
    #16 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

    Junior: If you get in, you probably feel accomplished and excited. Just know that everyone who goes to Allied is just as smart and at least as motivated as you are. In fact, a lot of students have their lives and careers planned out in detail. Nobody gets by on their intelligence. You have to work hard every day. You won’t have the same high school experience as your friends outside of Allied. But, you will be prepared for college. And, if you have a sense of humor, you will find plenty of things to laugh at... for instance, gym!
    Read 95 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 300 Students
    • 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  19. Livingston Senior High School

    • Livingston Board of Education School District, NJ
    • 9-12
    • 343 reviews
    #17 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

    Senior: The opportunities are incredible! There are a major variety of electives that cater to your needs and interests throughout all 4 years of high school. From stagecraft to chorus to autoshop, you can get a taste of anything while at this high school. The guidance office is willing to help you get your schedule as you see fit as well! Very flexible, open minded and just a wonderful environment to be in while exploring your interests for the future
    Read 343 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,931 Students
    • 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  22. Montgomery High School

    • Montgomery Township School District, NJ
    • 9-12
    • 367 reviews
    #18 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

    Senior: Montgomery High School is filled with amazing teachers that do their best to make you successful in life. Each teacher has a different way of teaching. Some teachers encourage you to learn how to study and learn through yourself and others which is helpful to know in college and the outside world. The school is mainly focused on academics but in the past few years have been improving its extracurriculars, art and sports facilities. The township itself is a bubble that leads to students having the mindset that they won't have any real consequences if they do anything bad, however, the school has been improving each year on that topic. Overall Montgomery High School is a very academic driven school that is very safe and prepares you for college even though they could improve on preparing their students for the real world more.
    Read 367 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,640 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  23. Northern Highlands Regional High School

    • Public School
    • Allendale, NJ
    • 9-12
    • 220 reviews
    #19 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

    Senior: Northern Highlands is an exceptional school that has a vast range of resources for students across multiple disciplines. Our athletics have won awards not only for their performance on the field, track, or court, but for their sportsmanship and thus dedication. I could not give high enough praise to my coaches and other faculty members that run our programs. Highlands is very competitive, and students here tend to go to prestigious colleges; multiple AP classes are offered which helps students prepare for their transition beyond high school. Some view this competitive atmosphere as negative, but faculty are aware and work against our mental health stigma. Overall, Highlands goes to great lengths to make sure its students are happy and healthy.
    Read 220 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,352 Students
    • 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  24. Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics, & Engineering Technologies

    • Public School
    • Edison, NJ
    • 9-12
    • 40 reviews
    #20 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

    Junior: The academics at the school are amazing, and so are the teachers. They are very understanding and open to your opinions. However, I would like to see more diversity and more opportunities in sports and the arts. High school sports are something that you see throughout almost all high schools throughout America, but in the Academy, there's only one sport (soccer). We are studying almost all the time (and therefore, sitting), so it'd be great to get some more physical activity and get more sports into the Academy (football, volleyball, etc.).
    Read 40 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 159 Students
    • 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  25. Marine Academy of Science & Technology

    • Public School
    • Highlands, NJ
    • 9-12
    • 125 reviews
    #21 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

    Junior: The Marine Academy of Science and Technology(MAST) is an outdoor high school campus located on one of New Jersey’s beaches. For future Marine Biology or Marine Science majors, there is no better hands on experience. Both on the shore itself, and on our 65 foot research vessel, the R/V Blue Sea. MAST is a welcoming school, and it’s students are committed to academic integrity, honor, courage, commitment, and learn valuable leadership skills through the Navy Junior ROTC program. Good luck on your application!
    Read 125 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 282 Students
    • 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  26. Communications High School

    • Public School
    • Wall, NJ
    • 9-12
    • 127 reviews
    #22 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

    Alum: One of my best decisions ever was attending Communications High School. As a Freshman, I was exposed to many different opportunities that many students don't get till they are seniors. I learned many abode programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, and InDesign. I traveled on multiple field trips to gardens and museums. I got to make award winning films, be published in newspapers, and construct my own TV show. The teachers prepared me for college work. They care so deeply for the needs of their students and will go to great lengths to see them achieve. I am so grateful for such an amazing experience!
    Read 127 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 320 Students
    • 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  27. Ridge High School

    • Bernards Township School District, NJ
    • 9-12
    • 213 reviews
    #23 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

    Senior: Ridge is definitely one of the more prestigious public high schools out there. From its academics, to sports, to extracurricular activities of every type, this school and its people always strive for excellence. I honestly do not think I could have been better prepared for college applications and with all of the opportunities to give back to the community available for students, my resume has never looked better. The students and teachers there are all wonderful, dedicated, and talented individuals. The only problem that I could say about the school is that with the prestige that it has earned itself from its reputation, there also comes a lot of pressure, specifically on students, to succeed, which has proven to be detrimental to the mental and physical health of students there, and while it is being addressed in recent years, remains to be a consistent problem within the student body.
    Read 213 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,884 Students
    • 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  28. West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North

    • West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District, NJ
    • 9-12
    • 238 reviews
    #24 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

    Junior: My experience at High School North has been very good. High School North offers a variety of different clubs and sports, both competitive and recreational. Additionally, the school makes sure that the students are the first priority, rather than teachers or parents. Most importantly, High School North excels in academics, specifically all STEM subjects. However, there is room for improvement, especially for the teachers. Often times, teachers will give assignments, rather than teach the subject matter. Although many kids are able to do well regardless of whether or not the teacher teaches, kids who need proper lessons often suffer. Furthermore, there is immense pressure on kids to follow science-based and technology-based career paths. As a result, there is minimal focus on the visual and performing arts.
    Read 238 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,448 Students
    • 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  29. Summit Senior High School

    • Summit Public School District, NJ
    • 9-12
    • 155 reviews
    #25 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

    Alum: I very much enjoyed my time at Summit Senior High School. It's a place where you grow and learn to step outside your boundaries, whether you're ready or not. They push you to achieve your full potential, to strive for greatness in your future endeavors. The administration and staff do care a lot for their students, and always try to make the learning environment as comfortable as possible. They will push you, and the work load isn't light, but through all of that you will be able to obtain the skills if/when you decide to pursue a higher level of education. The classrooms are kept mostly clean, and the building is in very good shape. There's always renovations, whether it be inside of the building or outside on the field. I never felt anxious or nervous about coming into school every morning. The teachers leave it entirely up to you about getting work done. It basically teaches you to be responsible for yourself and not to procrastinate, which are VITAL tools for college.
    Read 155 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,192 Students
    • 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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    Loudoun School for Advanced Studies

    • Private School
    • Ashburn, VA
    • 6-12
    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 58 Students
    • 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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    Cape Henry Collegiate

    • Private School
    • Virginia Beach, VA
    • PK, K-12
    • 67 reviews

    Parent: An AMAZING school! Our family switched from a Greenbrier private school to Cape Henry this year – by far the best decision I’ve made for my kids in terms of education and growth. Cape Henry Collegiate embodies the essence of Christian principles although it is not a religious school. They welcome every religion, every color, and host a robust exchange program with students from numerous countries not to mention a vast amount of students of NATO civilian and military staff in the area. However, it was the NEXUS program that sold me! The NEXUS program is the ONLY ONE in the State of Virginia. The program incorporates science and research, enabling students in every grade to experience different cultures in countries around the world. Cape Henry Collegiate students, teachers, and parents are honed in on ensuring every student succeeds. It is a culture of collective positive reinforcement and truly supportive of the students’ individuality and personal growth.
    Read 67 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 949 Students
    • 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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    Falls Church City Public Schools

    • School District
    • Falls Church, VA
    • 8 reviews

    Junior: I would like more sensitivity training for the teachers and admin. A large portion of the junior class participates in a slave ship "simulation" in their history class. As the only black student in the class, I went through a major depressive episode after that. The teachers are not very good at being aware of differences of other students, particularly students of color, and how to foster an environment of not being sought out because they are an ''other".
    Read 8 Reviews

    • 2,677 Students
    • 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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