2023 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

• Monmouth County Vocational School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  105 reviews

Senior: Choosing this high school was one of the best decisions of my life! From amazing teachers to peers that support and get along with each other, High Technology High School provided me with the best possible high school experience I could have asked for. The academics are rigorous but manageable, and the clubs provide great opportunities to meet and become friends with others who share your interests. The hour long lunch in the middle of every day is a perfect time to get some extra studying done as well as generally hanging out with friends. I have met so many great people by going to this school, and I believe that I changed for the better having gone here over my home high school. There are people from every walk of life and by going to this school I was able to learn so much, not just from academics but also from my fellow students.... Read 105 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 295

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Morris County Vocational School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  39 reviews

Alum: The best experience I could have possibly had in high school. Great teachers, resources, facilities, and most importantly, people. I met people here I'll never forget. At first, the schoolwork was difficult and I thought I might not be able to stay, but the community helped me get through it. I was able to thrive at AMSE thanks to that same community and would recommend it for anyone interested in STEM in the future!... Read 39 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 182

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Bergen County Vocational Technical School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  546 reviews

Junior: I am a junior at Bergen County Academies and I have had a good experience so far. The teachers at Bergen County Academies are for the most part very knowledgeable in their fields. They are willing to go above and beyond. I also appreciate the fact that the school tries to ensure college readiness through guidance seminar and an overall competitive environment. One thing that I would like to see change at Bergen County Academies is the availability of resources for students. While the school does have a lot of resources available, I feel like there could be more support for students who are struggling academically or who need extra help. Another issue students may encounter is the fact that they are locked into their chosen academy. Overall, my experience at Bergen County Academies has been positive. It is a great school with a strong focus on academics and extracurricular activities, but getting involved in those activities might be difficult due to the already extended school day.... Read 546 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,118

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Monmouth County Vocational School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  120 reviews

Freshman: I like the education and the people in the school, but the environment can be very stressful especially during important tests because everyone crams a lot of information. This also leads to a lot of people being depressed and overly stressed out about college. That is because it is an IB school and all of the classes are more rigorous and demanding. The school has some great teachers too on the bright side, especially in the science section. If you like science and you liked to pushed to the best of your abilities, I would recommend this school.... Read 120 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 315

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Union County Vocational-Technical School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  143 reviews

Senior: Magnet is a school that is very near and dear to me. Throughout my time here, I have made many friends that I will stay in touch with for the rest of my life. I relish the opportunity to interact with so many intelligent people and feel that the culture is one that stimulates growth and improvement. The teachers are above average and it feels like they truly care about their students. I would highly recommend any students in the Union County area to apply to Magnet. It will absolutely be worth it.... Read 143 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 297

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Union County Vocational-Technical School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  122 reviews

Senior: The Academy for Information Technology is a great school to attend if you are pursuing a business/information technology path as a career. You have focused vocational classes teaching business to programming languages like Java. However, the school does not provide the greatest of technological resources. Students only have Chromebooks and Desktops at the school often have their issues which makes it hard to use. Funding dedication in this area isn't the greatest. The counselors help you every step along the way in assisting your application up to college. The food here is average, not the greatest but there are secondary choices always such as hamburgers aside from the main lunch.... Read 122 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 284

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Ocean County Vocational Technical School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  170 reviews

Parent: Both of my children are MATES students. The level of education they’re receiving inside and outside the classroom is amazing! The administrators, teachers, and staff genuinely care about successfully preparing all of the students for college and beyond. I’m so thankful my children are lucky enough to attend this outstanding high school.... Read 170 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 277

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Bergen County Vocational Technical School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  252 reviews

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 252 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 677

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Middlesex County Vocational & Technical School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.51 out of 5  47 reviews

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 47 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 169

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Jersey City School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  290 reviews

Freshman: I went to Mcnair for 9th grade, when I was in lockdown. Thus, my entire freshman year was virtual, so please remember that. First of all, I want to say that the teachers are awesome. They sincerely care about the students -- not just academically, but also emotionally and socially, and in preparation for college. You also have classmates who are very focused on the college admissions process, which, depending on your worldview, is either good or bad. More me socially, I struggled at first to make friends(virtual), but then I started to reach out more to my classmates. I still keep in touch with some of them(11th grade). One thing though, is that the system is a bit rigid. I was advanced enough to take AP Stats as a freshman, but at first they put me in Geometry. My mother had to send 5 emails to let me take the placement test. Maybe its because its a bigger school compared to my old one, idk... Read 290 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 713

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Union County Vocational-Technical School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  133 reviews

Freshman: I love this school! I love having the opportunity to take a class specifically involving health sciences and learning more about my future career before college. This school has great a great environment and has a great curriculum. The learning experience is amazing and I feel like I learn a lot more than any of the other schools I have been. The teachers are great and even now in a virtual environment, they are trying their best to teach and be supportive of the students. I also love how this school has many amazing clubs and student life experiences. They give students a chance to try out different activities and hobbies with clubs as well as get to know more about each other. This school has many diverse students because they accept students from all over the county. It's great if you want to get to know about other cultures and interact with different people. Overall this school is amazing and I'm completely enjoying my experience, even as an online student.... Read 133 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 305

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Princeton Public Schools, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.87 out of 5  334 reviews

Sophomore: I really enjoy the school, I have been offered so many opportunities at this school, that unfortunately many other public highschools in the country do not have access to. We have an amazing, nationally ranked jazz band program, and offer a research program that mist people would only have access to in their masters level degree. It is a really good school and I'm so grateful to live in an area where I am offered this education. I would say the only large-ish issue I see is miscommunication between between the administration and students/teachers which can get confusing at times.... Read 334 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,555

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  324 reviews

Alum: I moved to New Jersey at the start of my Sophomore year of high school and really didn't know what to expect from a completely new environment that was so foreign from anything I had ever experienced. I found that the change would be an absolutely wonderful thing for me that reframed my entire view of high school education. The diversity at this school baffled me as I had come from a very white very religious state, Utah. There were people of every race, identity, social status and religious affiliation. This created such a great environment to learn because everyones differing perspectives could shed light on many subjects I would have never even considered. This school was also extremely supportive of students personal activity choices. It allowed me to thrive in choir and theatre in a safe and supportive environment that truly allowed my confidence and passion to blossom. It really was an amazing experience where I felt supported by teachers who cared about and for me.... Read 324 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,649

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Monmouth County Vocational School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  114 reviews

Junior: I really like this school because of the opportunity it gives me to study health care from every angle. I have learned about the history of medicine, standard protocols used in health care, the anatomy and physiology of the body, the impact of nutrition on the body, etc. I also enjoy attending my school because of the people at the school! My teachers make learning fascinating and support their students in any way they can, academically or otherwise. In addition, I enjoy spending time with my peers, as they encourage me to do my best academic work, serve as people who I can relate to, and make me feel like I belong at the school. One action I would take to change my school would be to enlarge its campus. The size of the campus makes the hallways feel very crowded and limits the space for students to play games and sports outside. Overall, however, the good features of the Academy of Allied Health and Science outweigh the bad ones and distinguish it from any other high school.... Read 114 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 306

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Tenafly Public School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  135 reviews

Alum: Tenafly High School was an awesome place to attend high school. Yes, we can be kinda cliquey and yes, some of us did drive fancier cars than some of the teachers and staff, but the education I received out of this place and all the friends I had here really have been outstanding. I had a few average teachers and one below average, but most of the teachers here are outstanding at what they do and you really gain a lot out of your education here whether you are a CPB (college prep equivalent), CPA (honors equivalent), Honors (high honors equivalent), or AP student. I may not have finished my college degree, but the skillset I acquired both on my own as well as here has still led me down a path of success in my adult life. Thank you Tenafly!... Read 135 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,185

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  284 reviews

Sophomore: High School North is an amazing school with wonderful facilities and education that prepares students for college. I love the students and resources here, however, there is a lot competition amongst students, making it a competitive environment. Some teachers want you to succeed, but others give you a hard time and don't want to put more effort in helping you learn. The food here is average and the sport teams are really good for individual sports, whereas team sports are not as good. This school has amazing culture and diversity, but there is always room for more diversity. One of the things I would like to see improved is the teachers themselves as some teachers put effort in teaching you, but others just expect you to know everything and you just end up learning the whole course on your own. To conclude, I completely recommend this school to anyone who isn't shy of working hard and putting in effort, because this school will prepare you for college and is full of great resources!... Read 284 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,521

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Millburn Township School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  199 reviews

Senior: Millburn is a great place to be academically, athletically, and socially challenged. Without a doubt, it's a strenuous school. The workload is tough - sometimes overbearing - but it does pay off. There are great teachers here that care about their students. My one wish for the school would be to find a way to change the perfectionist culture surrounding grades. Often, students are so stressed about getting top marks that they neglect sleep, social activities, and their mental well-being. I think the best learning environment is one where students are encouraged to do their best but their real motivation comes from a desire within to learn - not just succeed to get into that top school. I do think Millburn is placing more emphasis on the mental health of its students, and I would love to see more of it in the near future.... Read 199 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,319

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Union County Vocational-Technical School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  252 reviews

Parent: This school is amazing. Great academics, teachers are wonderful, administrators are caring and supportive of the students. This school is very diverse due to students coming from 21 districts within the county. There are no sports-students must go back to their home district for those, however, there are many clubs, Honor Society and philanthropic opportunities. Students get the opportunity to follow future career paths while excelling in academics. Seniors in UC Tech and Academy for Performing Arts get dual enrolled at Kean University and get to spend their senior year experiencing college and gaining college credits. My daughter is so happy here!... Read 252 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 18

• Student-teacher ratio 1:1

• Monmouth County Vocational School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  149 reviews

Sophomore: I applied here because I liked the kinship between the students. That's the best part about MAST is the way everyone's really helpful and nice and considerate. It was definitely a culture shock to go from a middle school environment of backstabbing and lies to a place where everyone wants to do good things and be good people. The food is awesome! And it is a lot of homework and can get overwhelming but the teachers are really understanding and engaging and literally, EVERYONE goes to extra help. The NJROTC stuff isn't that bad either. If you end up not liking it, just keep your uniform in good shape, your shoes shiny, and know your inspection facts and basic drill moves and you'll be fine. Marine Bio is the hardest freshman class for most, followed by CAD. Make lots of study guides and flashcards for Marine Bio and download whatever software you use for CAD on your home computer. Science is a huge part of MAST, so make sure you really love the subject before joining. Awesome school!... Read 149 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 283

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Northern Valley Regional High School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  194 reviews

Junior: Most teachers are very supportive and eager to teach. There are many support and resources, such as the Wellness Center, counselors open to discussing anything, math centers in-school and virtually after-school, and writing centers. Everyone is pretty friendly, and it's easy to find a club or group for something you enjoy. If not, you can make a club!... Read 194 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,023

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Allendale, NJ•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  251 reviews

Junior: I've been at Highlands for a bit over 2 years now. I'm a very academic-heavy student, and I love that Highlands enables that very well. We have acceleration courses over the summer for those who qualify, Honors and AP level courses in every subject, and even special advancement programs. For people who love school and learning, this is the place to go. The school culture can be a bit dry, but it does create an environment very conducive to learning and socializing. Of course there are also plenty of negatives. Our school is not very diverse at all, with extremely few students of color or first generation students. Courses are very rigorous compared to other schools, and grades aren't the easiest to maintain. There are some teachers that aren't especially good or understanding, and the administration is heavily biased towards sports rather than academics. Even with all of these flaws, learning at Highlands has been overall very enjoyable, and preps for college very efficiently.... Read 251 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,364

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Livingston Board of Education School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  365 reviews

Junior: This school is above average, however, half the bathrooms in the school are in poor condition. All sports besides football are pretty good and are full of different and diverse people. The food is average cafeteria food such as chicken tenders and french fries. Teachers are very hit or miss. Some teachers are on power trips, are generally just bad, want to prepare you for college, don't care about their students, are super sweet, or are ranting about the class being an HONORS level course. The Music & Arts programs are very well done and are incredibly interesting however are run by a few teachers.... Read 365 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,947

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Ridgewood Public School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  242 reviews

Senior: This school goes above and beyond to prepare you for higher education, all while providing you with the tools to become the best version of yourself. This school is everything you could ever want, all you need to do is to be willing to put in the work. The motto, "A tradition of excellence", is tangible. The culture is very competitive and driven by the incentive of success. There are wonderful academic, athletic, and art programs. The teachers are elites in their field and can help students learn concepts in a plethora of ways. There is no doubt that everyone who graduates from here can easily change the world. Let's go Maroons!... Read 242 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,775

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Bernards Township School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  251 reviews

Senior: ACADEMICS: People in the reviews are complaining too much about how hard the academics are... there's nothing wrong with our academics. Y'all just need to apply yourself! And we have plenty of options for every level of difficulty, from regular to Honors to AP. FACULTY/ADMINISTRATION: Generally excellent teachers who help you get through. Few bad apples here/there but that's inevitable. School board makes some bad decisions now and then though. CLUBS/ACTIVITIES: Lots of options. Whether you're an artsy kid, a sporty kid, a band kid, or a STEM kid, there's something for you, and you'll enjoy it. I've heard school spirit's apparently lacking compared to other schools, but how would I know? DIVERSITY: We have people of all races, heritages, and LGBT categories here. We're pretty tolerant I guess. SAFETY: We're in, like, one of the safest towns in America. Besides, we have a pretty strict visitor policy, and even implemented an ID system starting this year. FOOD: Average I guess.... Read 251 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,794

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Summit Public School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  163 reviews

Sophomore: Summit High School is an exceptional educational institution in Summit, NJ. The faculty is highly knowledgeable and dedicated to providing students with a challenging and rewarding academic experience. The curriculum is diverse and offers a range of opportunities for students to explore their interests and talents. The school also provides a supportive environment for extracurricular activities, including sports, music, and theater. The facilities are modern and well-maintained, providing students with a comfortable and stimulating learning environment. Overall, Summit High School is an outstanding school that prepares students for success in college and beyond.... Read 163 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,152

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1