2023 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania

• Philadelphia City School District, PA•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  264 reviews

Senior: Masterman's school community is very close knit and being a small school everyone knows each other. Currently there seems to be a lot of issues that has risen due to the COVID pandemic such as a shortage of teachers as well as the lack of resource. Although there are little variety in the sports and clubs at Masterman, club are fairly easy to startup if you were passionate about something. Masterman definitely prepares their students for college as well as teaching students how to handle stress.... Read 264 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,204

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Tredyffrin-Easttown School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.27 out of 5  408 reviews

Freshman: This school is super competitive, offering AP's starting from 9th grade. The school got a new renovation lately, making it seem closer to a college. Teachers and staff are super nice and encouraging and you can always open up to them about anything. The whole district is diverse and there are many opportunities such as clubs, sports, or jobs. The standard is set high and the community helps each other grow. I am super excited for them to build the new tennis courts coming in 2024! The tennis teams deserves them and have been patiently waiting a long time for it. Conestoga High School is phenomenal and if you are looking for a district to move to.. I would definitely recommend this one.... Read 408 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,318

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Radnor Township School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  147 reviews

Senior: My experience at Radnor High School was nothing else but terrific. What I love most about the high school was how easy going the students and teachers were. Going into the my freshmen year, I was new to the community so it was great for everyone who I interacted with to make me feel like Radnor was my home for the next couple of years. Another thing I love about Radnor was the teachers and how they prepare you for college and beyond. All of the staff at Radnor care about the student's future and I'm proud to say that I am forever a Red Raider!... Read 147 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,195

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Downingtown Area School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.39 out of 5  108 reviews

Senior: My experience at STEM has been amazing! I think that the culture of our school is great and makes students feel very comfortable here. Although the school is small, students get along really well. Students are often very helpful and work well together. Also, many of the teachers at STEM are very understanding and treat their students with respect, which helps to make STEM such a great experience. Since we are treated with respect and trust, we have a lot of freedom in the school and makes it more relaxed – even in an environment which can sometimes be very stressful or competitive.... Read 108 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 855

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Lower Merion School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  258 reviews

Junior: Lower Merion is a great high school, and I am certainly going to miss it when I graduate. There are a lot of people here with a variety of interests, so you will be sure to find someone with similar interests. There's a lot of amazing clubs and activities at the school, such as the theater program, LM Players (clubs could use more funding though). School spirit and sports are great and highly celebrated (ex. Dawg Pound shows off school spirit at games). Teachers are overall great, and STEM is strong. The music department is especially great! Diversity could be a little better. Facilities are pretty good, and there are a lot of resources for college and more. We have a program called lunch and learn, which is one hour in the day students can use to eat lunch anywhere in school and do work or get help from teachers. Administration could be better, because they sometimes try to hide stuff up. Overall, I love LM and I can't imagine being anywhere else!... Read 258 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,568

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Lower Merion School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  201 reviews

Sophomore: I love Harriton High School. Most teachers are helpful, but the classes here are rigorous. The art displayed around the school is especially lovely because it showcases the talented young artists throughout the school. The administration hears the students' recommendations, like our wellness days. The teachers here really push you to do your best, and they offer help if you do poorly. Although the school is mainly caucasian, they recognize minorities in our daily announcements. Black Student Union (BSU), Asian culture club, GSA, and other inclusive clubs are invited to speak every morning. The culture at Harriton is competitive; everyone expects each other to get A's, go to prestigious universities, captain clubs, etc. And most students end up in those universities. Overall, Harriton has shaped me into a hardworking individual.... Read 201 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,275

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• North Allegheny School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  753 reviews

Freshman: This is my first year in high school. North Allegheny is a district that provides its students with many resources and helps get work done. Some of its facilities may not be top-notch, but it is a great place to learn! It allows students to be prepared for their future, whatever it may be.... Read 753 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,730

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Philadelphia City School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  1,386 reviews

Sophomore: Starting from freshman year, I was greatly amazed by the school spirit, culture, and the dedication from students, teachers and families. It is a school that one must be tested into so academics is very important. However, when you arrive at the school, you will recognize that the teachers are super supportive and encourages all students to do their best and do what they like. There are dozens of clubs and activities throughout the year to incorporate everyone into the school's traditions. The school values musicians and talented students greatly that the large network of alumni supported the construction of a new building for STEM classroom, an theater/auditorium just for the musicians to perform and many more. The environment in classrooms are friendly, opened to discussion and engaging. Almost every student is dedicated to their education and so are teachers who dedicate their time to help students. If you have the opportunity to attend or visit, Central High School welcomes you!... Read 1,386 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,416

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  202 reviews

Senior: The teachers here are very good, they know what they are talking about and they are dedicated to what they do. The school does a good job preparing you for college, but the atmosphere at the school is extremely competitive. There is a heavy emphasis on academics and succeeding which places pressure on the students but overall the school is great!... Read 202 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,334

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  296 reviews

Senior: Srath Haven is an amazing school! The counselors are very helpful in college preparation and are always there to answer questions. The majority of the staff is friendly and welcoming. The only thing that isn't the best is that there is barely any diversity amongst the students and, particularly the teachers. Strath Haven would become an even better school if they hired more diverse staff.... Read 296 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,243

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Fox Chapel Area School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  314 reviews

Alum: I really enjoyed my time at Fox Chapel. Teachers are very passionate and there are lots of people at FC who help students access opportunities (in particular, the QUEST office and faculty administrators are really helpful). Even through online classes, I received a great education here and learned a lot. However, FC has some issues with diversity and student culture. Some students face racism here and AP classes in particular aren't very diverse, limiting the perspectives and viewpoints expressed in class discussions, etc. I do think the district is making plans to improve in these areas, but this is just something to take into account.... Read 314 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,303

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Central Bucks School District, PA•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  421 reviews

Junior: Central Bucks High School East is overall an amazing school. There is a wide range of classes offered including many APs and diverse electives to choose from. A Lunch and Learn program was implemented this year where students have an hour break in the middle of the day to eat lunch and choose what to do with their time. They could meet with teachers to make up tests or ask questions, complete homework or group projects, or simply chat with their peers. CB East provides students with amazing extracurriculars such as many sports teams and clubs. In addition, the teachers and staff are helpful and pride themselves in their abilities. This excellent school creates a perfect environment for anyone's high school experience.... Read 421 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,498

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Upper St. Clair School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  281 reviews

Senior: The education that I have received since Kindergarten until now, as a senior in high school, has been outstanding. Teachers in all subject areas demonstrate a clear understanding of their materials and subject matter. The only issue that I have had with Upper St. Clair High School is bullying. I find that students often are not disciplined as they should be when they make harmful comments that could be constituted as bullying to other students. Otherwise, USCHS has provided me with a very well-rounded education. I feel extremely prepared for college in the fall because of it.... Read 281 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,367

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Mt. Lebanon School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  379 reviews

Senior: "Welcome! You belong here! Happy orientation!" shouted countless members of the high school Link Crew as I walked under the 2021 Freshman Orientation signs leading to the school gym. With music blasting, balloons floating, and faces smiling, my first day of high school started to feel less scary. From that very first step, I was welcomed into the Mt. Lebanon High School family and community. My High School creates a strong sense of home through its compassionate teachers, social clubs, inspiring Arts program, and more. Everyone who walks through its doors will find a place where they fit in and can discover their true self. Our teachers go above limits to ensure that each student is challenged and ready to accomplish their goals. Now, as I am getting ready to venture outside my high school community and meet countless new people and new challenges, I will use the lessons of resilience, compassion, and determination that I learned to be the best version of myself.... Read 379 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,801

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Great Valley School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  159 reviews

Senior: Great valley High school is a great public school! Teachers are caring, students are mostly friendly, education is high quality with many opportunities.... Read 159 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,367

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Wissahickon School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.87 out of 5  263 reviews

Junior: During my time at Wissahickon I realized how fortunate I was. This school has great academics and amazing sports and sports facilities. Granted our football team is horrible but I personally blame that on the couch. There’s a variety of sports to play from golf to wrestling and even ice hockey. I’ll give the food a B+ but it’s nothing too exciting. There are really great teachers here who care, still the occasional teacher who probably would be better off not teaching. I would definitely recommend this school, unless you can afford private, Wiss is a good option.... Read 263 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,426

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• State College Area School District, PA•

• 8-12

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  535 reviews

Alum: State College Area High School is an incredible public school with very expansive opportunities one may find in a University, just offered for high school students (AP, IB, Honors, College Prep, Regular, etc levels you pick yourself). There are 6 languages other than English you can gain credit in, many music and athletic related activities, computer science programming, agriculture, specified science electives that count for credit, Penn State Commute program to take in-person college classes/research opportunities, etc. The school is very large, with average graduating classes of about 700 students, and while there are many hard working and gifted staff members, mental health awareness and psychological help are very lacking. As a student, if you have an mental health issue, you either solve it yourself, proactively tell the counselors/staff what you need, or ask for help with the risk of counselors diagnosing you in a less than 12 minute convo, leading to improper support.... Read 535 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,370

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Derry Township School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  273 reviews

Senior: For the most part, the teachers at Hershey High School are wonderful. Many of them enjoy what they do and will consistently go out of their way to assist students. On the other hand, there are a few that are notoriously unlikeable or unhelpful. The good absolutely outweighs the bad though! As for the students, Hershey kids are known to have higher socioeconomic statuses. Coupled with a lack of diversity, it is definitely a school where people will feel insecure or even be outcasted. But this is also an issue that is found all across the nation. Hershey High School is overall a decent school– I am satisfied with my education, and I anticipate I will graduate with far more positive memories of my time here than negative memories.... Read 273 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,209

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Central Bucks School District, PA•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  357 reviews

Senior: Wow! I have so many things I could say about CB West. CB West feels like my second home. I am always there. I was cheerleader all throughout high school so I was always staying after school for practices and games we cheered at. We are supporting our football team, and our men's and women's basketball teams. We have many talented athletes that come through CB West and it is awesome to see them thrive once they graduate. Regarding academics at CB West, we have many intelligent students. CB West offers many honor level and AP level classes that get up filled up pretty quickly. Students at CB West strive to be the best when it comes to their studies and are looking for a bright future. The staff and faculty at CB West are the best of the best. They have so much love, support and kindness toward each and every student no matter of their background. The teachers are always willing to stay after class and help students that may be falling behind. They make sure every student is successful!... Read 357 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,491

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• West Chester Area School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  320 reviews

Freshman: Rustin High School has been amazing! Due to the unprecedented conditions of 2020 and 2021, I haven't been able to have the true high school experience since I am only a Freshman. I hope next year will be different as a whole. Even though I didn't have the opportunity to receive the full high school experience yet, Rustin is receiving five stars for how it is handling the situation. We are only moving in one direction in the hallways and we have a certain stairwell for up and one for down. The teachers are doing a great job managing the roomers and the zoomers and in the building, we have block scheduling and cohorts. It is a lot to manage and I give them the utmost respect for doing so.... Read 320 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,278

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Garnet Valley School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  344 reviews

Senior: I recently transferred to Garnet Valley; however, I quickly adapted to the school with the help of the fantastic school staff and student body. I would recommend this school district to other students due to my wonderful experience there! If students and parents want to develop a unique and everlasting relationship with the culture of a school, definitely come study at Garnet. The usual experience of a high school is entirely different on the Valley's campus by being exciting and exquisite. Students will have a hard time encountering this environment elsewhere. Finally, I would recommend the school for the hardworking and solid values it taught me. If an individual wants to develop these values, look at the Garnet Valley School District because they will not regret it.... Read 344 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,549

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• School District of Upper Dublin, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  271 reviews

Alum: Excellent academics, extracurricular activities, and facilities! The Upper Dublin community of teachers and staff ensure that students are provided with the resources and opportunities necessary to succeed as they prepare for their future. Even after graduating, many of the teachers have offered additional guidance in my college education.... Read 271 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,331

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Central Bucks School District, PA•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  415 reviews

Alum: I love all the teachers at CB South. Every single one of the teachers that I have had during my 3 years there truly cares about the students and loves their job. The atmosphere at the school was always good which made me want to go to school every day. The variety of extracurricular activities allowed anyone to find a club they would be interested in. The building is very pretty and clean. Teachers like to decorate their rooms, so each room has its own unique character. Overall, great school, and I miss it! Go Titans!... Read 415 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,736

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Colonial School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  364 reviews

Senior: Overall, I've had a very good experience at Plymouth Whitemarsh. The course selection is amazing, as well as many of the professors that teach them. The cafeteria is beautiful, a new gym has just been put in, and the numbers of clubs/activities to join is through the roof! However, my school could do a better job at helping kids that are a little less privileged than others. I have had some trouble handing in assignments due to not having a printer and at certain times not having internet access at all, and have received bad grades due to lateness despite explanations I gave about my situation. The AVID program I'm a part of is a great way for students to get help, but informing all teachers of individual people who need an extra helping hand would go a long way. Several teachers have helped me though, even going as far as to purchase me another book-bag when mine was falling apart. This shows, though is has imperfections, PW is a great school for any student's secondary education.... Read 364 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,503

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• North Penn School District, PA•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  662 reviews

Senior: There are so many incredible opportunities offered at North Penn. Between clubs, classes, and teachers and staff that help find resources and connections, students are given many chances to take steps towards their career and interests. Both the engineering and the art department are amazing, with amazing teachers and resources. I would like to see more young, engaged teachers that are passionate about their subject. I would also like to see the admin and counselors do more to listen and help the students in troubles with classes, teachers, or events. Some policies are unfair and far too strict, so it would be good to see them revisit them or look closer at the "why" of any given situation (e.g. vapes, fights, voting for school-promoted contests). Overall an amazing school where students can grow and engage with others!... Read 662 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,020

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1