2019 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania

Best Schools

698 results

Conestoga Senior High School
Tredyffrin-Easttown School District, PA
9-12
302
1 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania
Parent: Conestoga is supportive, inclusive and adaptable to the various levels of their students' needs. Students are offered different levels of courses and can choose the level that best supports their strengths and (weaknesses) courses that they may find more challenging. The counseling and teaching staff are supportive, encouraging and the school has a great infrastructure and resources for students to use for areas of support. They have programs in place that can both challenge students and offer additional support when needed. The school communicates with parents often and teachers and counselors are easily accessible to students when needed. Conestoga also does a great job preparing them for college. They offer AP classes if students want the option. The even offer an SAT prep class as an elective. The course selection and electives are very impressive.
Read 302 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
2,062 Students
16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
Julia R. Masterman Secondary School
Philadelphia City School District, PA
5-12
194
2 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania
Senior: Masterman has many strong qualities, especially college readiness. Not only is it very common to develop awesome relationships with teachers, but these relationships help to define your college application process. Teachers are very supportive in offering advice, recommendation letters, guidance or even just being an ear to listen to you vent. A lot of our classes are challenging but we have amazing teachers that always make time for fun. Masterman is a place for those who like to work hard and play hard! Also, our small student body makes it so that everyone is connected and it feels like one big family (through the good, the bad and the ugly of course).
Read 194 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,184 Students
21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
Radnor Senior High School
Radnor Township School District, PA
9-12
104
3 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania
Alum: Radnor is an excellent school that offers not only rigorous academics, but also a wide array of sports and extracurricular activities!
Read 104 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,177 Students
13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
Sponsored
The Sage School
Private School
Foxborough, MA
PK, K-8
4
Parent: The small size allows every child to feel valued. Advanced children are given the ability to work at their own pace and not forced to confirm to what the group is ready to learn. Open ended projects allow creative kids to stay engaged and enthusiastic about learning. The children are more individual in nature so there is no pressure to conform in general and very little to no teasing/bullying. Sadly, the visual arts program is sorely lacking. Math, Science and Humanities (History/English) are all great. Behavior management is also an issue but the latest administration has cleaned that up a lot and I feel it is an issue that is becoming a thing of the past.
Read 4 Reviews
NG
Overall Niche Grade
159 Students
5:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
Harriton Senior High School
Lower Merion School District, PA
9-12
159
4 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania
Alum: Harriton was an incredibly academically competitive school with a beautiful campus and amazing teachers and resources! The competitiveness is just because everyone expects the best from you and wants you to excel to the best of your abilities. There are a million clubs, sports, and activities to join into as well. The people are always willing to help and the teachers are genuinely some of the best I have ever had in my life. They are willing to help you out academically, socially, and mentally and emotionally.
Read 159 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,222 Students
11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
Strath Haven High School
Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, PA
9-12
235
5 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania
Senior: Strath Haven has something to offer all students. Overall, the teachers are very good and are interested in what the students are involved in outside of their classroom. The band, sports teams, theater programs and the general arts programs are very strong. When I talked to friends who are in college, they say that Strath Haven prepared them well for college!
Read 235 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,149 Students
12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
Downingtown STEM Academy
Downingtown Area School District, PA
9-12
62
6 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania
Senior: Overall, I have had an incredibly positive experience at the Downingtown STEM Academy! I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend this high school, as the opportunities it has opened up for me over the past four years are absolutely unmatched. It's one of the top public high schools in PA for a reason! The academics are rigorous, yet the teachers are incredibly supportive and will go the extra mile to ensure students are successful. I feel very well prepared for college after my experiences in the IB programme! If there is anything truly negative to say about the school, there is a very observable stress culture that lingers throughout the student body. The workload is already intense and many students face considerable academic pressures (internally and externally instigated). Fortunately, however, teachers and admin are actively working on sustaining a more positive school culture.
Read 62 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
789 Students
14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
North Allegheny High School
North Allegheny School District, PA
9-12
676
7 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania
Senior: North Allegheny is the best place for arts, athletics, and most importantly, academics. With success in all three of these crucial areas, North Allegheny is known to be one of the best school in the nation. North Allegheny does not only focus on these factors, but they also focus on students' future. The teachers and administration prepare students to excel in college and be prepared for the future outside of the bubble we are said to live in. Overall, this district has readied me for life outside of high school by focusing on the most important things to succeed.
Read 676 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
2,693 Students
15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
Lower Merion High School
Lower Merion School District, PA
9-12
217
8 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania
Senior: Lower Merion High School has a program for minority students to get them prepared for College and the world we might not be fully prepared for. Unlike some schools Lower Merion has very high standards they push kids, so they can achieve their highest goals. It is a somewhat diverse environment considering is a predominately white school, and is placed #9 of best high school in America. It is a safe school with many activities for students to participate, and feel comfortable
Read 217 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,440 Students
12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
Fox Chapel Area High School
Fox Chapel Area School District, PA
9-12
279
9 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania
Alum: I consider myself very lucky to have been able to not only go to Fox Chapel's high school but also elementary and middle schools. Fox Chapel has great opportunities for all different kinds of students. Incredible art classes, business classes, and other areas that are helpful to future college students. Being that I am now going to be a sophomore in college, I credit a lot of my picking schools and my major to the classes, teachers, and experiences I had at FC!
Read 279 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,404 Students
13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
- 2019 Best Public Middle Schools
- 2019 High Schools with the Best Teachers
- 2019 Best Public High Schools for STEM
Unionville High School
Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, PA
9-12
176
10 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania
Junior: Unionville needs more student spirit. They force the students into activities such as the lip dub and additional spirit rallies, but they lower our excitement. Also, there is poor diversity and food. All the food is overpriced. But, the academics at Unionville are unrivaled, and there is a variety of Honors and AP classes to take. The library/librarians are also very helpful and full of resources. However, there is a lack of funding towards music/theater/musical, partially because of the emphasis on sports at Unionville. Administration is okay, as there are some that are good, and some that are bad. The teachers at Unionville overall are great, especially the science teachers. Unionville is unparalleled in academics, but needs more diversity and culture.
Read 176 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,314 Students
15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
Mt. Lebanon Senior High School
Mt. Lebanon School District, PA
9-12
308
11 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania
Parent: Mt. Lebanon Sr. High School offers excellent academic challenges and incredible support of the arts. The majority of teachers are invested in their students' achievements, beyond the emphasis on test scores. I have no doubt that my kids will be ready for college! The lack of diversity in the student body, staff and administration is troubling.
Read 308 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,735 Students
15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
Wissahickon Senior High School
Wissahickon School District, PA
9-12
226
12 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania
Senior: Wissahickon High School is an all-around excellent high school in terms of academics. The teachers, classes, curriculum, etc. are all top-notch and have been known statewide, and even nationwide, for efficiently preparing their students for college. However, the school does have some downsides. For one, despite adding a brand new pool, some parts of the school are in bad physical shape. Wissahickon often has problems with poorly-kept bathrooms, cockroaches, and even sometimes rats in the hallways. On top of that, the overall school spirit of Wissahickon is often seen as poor as well. Those two aspects notwithstanding, though, Wissahickon is a good-quality institution.
Read 226 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,345 Students
12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
Central High School
Philadelphia City School District, PA
9-12
1,143
13 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania
Senior: Central is a melting pot for so many different cultures, ideas, and people! We are the best because we are not only academically driven students, but we have the MOST school spirit of any public high school in Pennsylvania. The faculty and staff is great, the teachers give every ounce of information to the students, and the students are prepared ACADEMICALLY and SOCIALLY for their next level of education. If you are thinking about coming to Central, come for a shadow day. I promise that after one day, you’ll understand what it means to be a lancer.
Read 1,143 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
2,241 Students
40:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
Hershey High School
Derry Township School District, PA
9-12
207
14 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania
Senior: Hershey is a very safe school with an accepting community and great educational opportunities. Anyone who has the opportunity to enroll in this school district should jump at the opportunity! All of the teachers are great and care for each student.
Read 207 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,126 Students
14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
Great Valley High School
Great Valley School District, PA
7-12
113
15 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania
Alum: GV is a great high school. I had an excellent four years here, despite the massive amount of homework teachers gave. This school is the perfect mix between being competitive and being relaxed - it just depends on the type of student you are or want to be. Sports are a big priority while sometimes activities like those in the music dept come second. Relatively diverse for the Main Line area, which is cool. Overall, pretty cool teachers, lots of clubs and activities, and nice students. Prepares students well for college if they take a lot of
Honors and AP classes.
Read 113 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,239 Students
13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
Upper St. Clair High School
Upper St. Clair School District, PA
9-12
227
16 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania
Alum: I enjoyed going to school at Upper St. Clair High School. The teachers cared about your grades and your direction when you graduate. The school is very safe and food in the cafe was excellent with a lot of choices for lunch. Colleges seem to take notice when they hear you're from Upper St. Clair High School and they really want you to attend their colleges/universities. Excellent college readiness.
Read 227 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,376 Students
16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
Council Rock High School - North
Council Rock School District, PA
9-12
240
17 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania
Senior: Council Rock School North is phenomenal high school. The curriculum offers tons of AP and honors courses as well as accelerated and academic courses. Enough variety to challenge most students. The teachers are knowledgable, dedicated and available. We have incredible sports teams and clubs and a great sense of school spirit. The high school is located in a charming historic town within walking distance to everything. I feel luck to live in a community where the public is so highly regarded!
Read 240 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,724 Students
15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
Central Bucks High School - South
Central Bucks School District, PA
10-12
329
18 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania
Senior: Central Bucks High School South has so many classes to offer that are directed towards specific fields, like anatomy, forensics, business classes, computer classes, and many more! This school prepares you for college by making the students strive for success and the want to learn.
Read 329 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,798 Students
17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
State College Area High School
State College Area School District, PA
8-12
463
19 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania
Senior: State High is a wonderful school academically; there is something for everyone to enjoy. They have an extensive Career and Technical Center, more class offerings than some colleges, and a beautiful new building. The teachers work well with students and are (for the most part!) easy to get along with. An awesome place to learn!
Read 463 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
2,288 Students
12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy
Erie City School District, PA
9-12
323
20 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania
Senior: At Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate academy, students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement course work and exams. The AP participation rate at Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy is 77 percent. The student body makeup is 42 percent male and 58 percent female, and the total minority enrollment is 24 percent. Collegiate also has a friendly and accepting environment. They follow a rule of pride, honor, and respect
Read 323 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
771 Students
17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
Central Bucks High School - East
Central Bucks School District, PA
10-12
330
21 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania
Senior: C B East is a very academically competitive school. For the most part, everyone is committed to their schoolwork and tries their best to succeed in class. This competitiveness is not necessarily cut-throat, but in some instances it can be. The teachers are phenomenal. They take pride in the success of their students, and most enjoy getting to know students personally. Kids can be clique-y, but it's not hard to find your group. There are opportunities for many interests, and people usually find friend groups from within sports and clubs. Logistically, East is a nightmare. Only seniors can drive to school, and the parking lot has only one entrance and one exit, making the morning and afternoon drives an absolute mess. I live about 8 minutes away, and it takes me around 25 minutes to get to school when I drop off my sister down the road at Holicong.
Read 330 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,644 Students
17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
North Penn Senior High School
North Penn School District, PA
10-12
555
22 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania
Senior: I loved the available academics, the teachers, the opportunities, and the culture! Sports are a big thing here, especially football. It was awesome being able to go with all of my classmates to watch the games! There are also many options for your school day, especially when you are a senior. You can take away lunches (with parent permission) so that you can squeeze in that one extra class you've been dying to take, or in your senior year you can opt to come in a period late, or leave a period early, to catch some extra sleep or to start working earlier in the day, earning some extra cash. The administration is always approachable and ready to help the students with course selection and college application processes, and the multitude of honors and AP level courses allows students to perform at their full academic extent. There are also so many clubs and extracurricular activities that anyone can find something to be active in.
Read 555 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
2,985 Students
15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
Review Your School
Haverford Senior High School
School District of Haverford Township, PA
9-12
253
23 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania
Senior: Haverford High is a very nice school to learn at, almost all of the teachers are very kind, understanding, and good at what they do. They also almost all offer after school times that you can ask for help if you are struggling in a subject. Haverford also offers a wide variety of sports and clubs, so everyone can find an extracurricular activity that they enjoy. Unfortunately a lot of emphasis is put on the football team and achievements from other clubs or sports is often undershadowed, but I wouldn’t necessarily say this is the administrations fault.
Read 253 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,709 Students
14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
Quaker Valley High School
Quaker Valley School District, PA
9-12
200
24 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania
Senior: Quaker Valley is very special. It challenges every stereotype ever created by movies and pop culture. I have never had a teacher that wasn't dedicated to their students. The staff is so friendly and caring that they seem more like friends than authority figures - they don't lose any respect from students, though. The students are hard-working, busy, and dedicated to everything they do. Most students take high level honors and AP classes, participate in sports, arts, or other extracurricular activities, and are extremely social and friendly. Our music department is highly regarded and most students are involved in some way or another. Our athletic department is very successful, most teams making it to state playoffs, and competitive, but also inclusive. Our football team just won their first state championship after being predicted to not win one game this season! I am so lucky to be a Quaker.
Read 200 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
633 Students
13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
New Hope-Solebury High School
New Hope-Solebury School District, PA
9-12
98
25 Best Public High Schools in Pennsylvania
Senior: New Hope-Solebury is a great school equipped with caring teachers, involved faculty, and an abundance of supplies. I truly feel challenged and prepared to enter college.
Read 98 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
532 Students
12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
Sponsored
CATS Academy Boston
Private School
Braintree, MA
9-12
13
Alum: Diversity is the best thing about it. Students who attend CATS are intersting and ambitious young people. I had an amazing time making friends. Some of the teachers are truly great, they are ready to go above and beyond to help students achieve their goals. On the other hand, there are some teachers who are really unkind and unhelpful. The principle and the student affairs departnment, as well as most of other saff including dorm parents is horrific. They are people who are having personal issues and are not healthy for school environment. Of course, there are exceptions. I personaly had a great dorm parent, and I wish other students can get the same experience.
Read 13 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
420 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes
Sponsored
Germantown Friends School
Private School
Philadelphia, PA
PK, K-12
53
Middle School Student: Academics are very good. Diversity could be improved. Teachers are wonderful. We have plenty of security guards to keep us safe. The school works very hard to create a open and welcoming environment. Sports are good but not great, the coaches are not very educated in the sports they coach. The food selection is very wide and it is good quality and healthy, however it is VERY overpriced (chicken and pasta was $9.25) Facilities could use improvement. In old buildings heat and air conditioning is poor and bathrooms are disgusting.
Read 53 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
1,017 Students
8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
View Nearby Homes

1 of 28

Conestoga Senior High School

Julia R. Masterman Secondary School

Radnor Senior High School

The Sage School

Harriton Senior High School

Strath Haven High School

Downingtown STEM Academy

North Allegheny High School

Lower Merion High School

Fox Chapel Area High School

Unionville High School

Mt. Lebanon Senior High School

Wissahickon Senior High School

Central High School

Hershey High School

Great Valley High School

Upper St. Clair High School

Council Rock High School - North

Central Bucks High School - South

State College Area High School

Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy

Central Bucks High School - East

North Penn Senior High School

Haverford Senior High School

Quaker Valley High School

New Hope-Solebury High School

CATS Academy Boston

Germantown Friends School