2023 Best Public Schools in Newton Highlands

• Newton Public Schools, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  325 reviews

Alum: Attending Newton South High School was a transformative experience for me. The school's diverse student body created a rich tapestry of cultures and perspectives, fostering an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere. Academically, Newton South High School exceeded my expectations. The dedicated and knowledgeable teachers pushed me to reach my full potential, challenging me to think critically and develop a thirst for knowledge. The school offered a wide array of courses, from advanced math and science to humanities and the arts. The rigorous curriculum prepared me well for college and beyond. Beyond the classroom, Newton South High School provided ample opportunities for personal growth and enrichment. The extracurricular activities were diverse and abundant, catering to various interests and passions. Whether it was joining the robotics club, participating in the school play, or engaging in community service projects, there was always something for everyone.... Read 325 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,869

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Needham Public Schools, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  265 reviews

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

• grade A+

• Students 1,670

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Needham Public Schools, MA•

• 7-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Alum: There were great, fun teachers here. It’s a clean, well-maintenanced school and has a good layout, as seventh grade classes are concentrated on one side of the school and eigth grade classes are concentrated on the other. There is not much diversity besides a bunch of Jews and Asians, but there are people with many different interests, so it isn’t hard to find a friend group with similar interests. Also, this school has top-notch musicals and plays.... Read 1 review

• grade A+

• Students 901

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Newton Public Schools, MA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.5 out of 5  6 reviews

Parent: Teachers and staff are amazing, special education is hands down the best we have ever experienced. They meet your kid where they are at rather than fitting them into a program that doesn’t work. They use a case management system for special Ed and go the extra mile on everything!... Read 6 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 794

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Needham Public Schools, MA•

• 6

• grade A+

• Students 394

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Newton Public Schools, MA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Alum: Terrific! Becoming increasingly overcrowded (bigger class sizes) but the teachers are simply the best!!!... Read 1 review

• grade A+

• Students 366

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Newton Public Schools, MA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: It is an amazing school with a nice community. Although it may need updates at some Point the academics are as good as you can get.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 404

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Newton Public Schools, MA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 2.75 out of 5  4 reviews

• grade A

• Students 647

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Newton Public Schools, MA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Alum: Countryside was probably one of the worst funded schools and it shows in the add on classrooms and general upkeep. that being said, the standard of education is high and diversity is some of the best in newton. ELL program could verge on condescending. Lunches were atrocious, but might have changed since then. I got suspended for self defense so maybe the administration needs to check itself... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 369

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Newton Public Schools, MA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Niche User: I like this school. I am a kid at this school, the teachers are great and the princapal is bad. But overall, GREAT school.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 342

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Newton Public Schools, MA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Niche User: Great school, everyone is super nice, great socially. Food is horrible though, some teachers aren't the best. Still great school though.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 393

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Needham Public Schools, MA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 1 out of 5  1 review

• grade A

• Students 410

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Roslindale, MA•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  5 reviews

Alum: I loved how ahead I was as a student and how interesting and engaging they kept all subjects for us to keep us interested in class. If you had trouble in class they worked with you personally to make sure you understood the lesson for the day.... Read 5 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 2,053

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Lexington, MA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.66 out of 5  113 reviews

Senior: Minuteman is a regional technical and career school. It's not your typical vocational school. Minuteman offers career majors in typical vocational studies in plumbing or welding, but also has biotechnical engineering, robotics, computer programming and design and visual communications. A new school was completed in 2019 and it's spectacular. The teaching staff is the best part about the school. Since it's relatively small, the clubs and sports offerings are slim and participation is small, but you still can get involved!... Read 113 reviews

• grade B

• Students 635

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Framingham, MA•

• Public School•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  10 reviews

Alum: I personally loved my experience going to McAuliffe. I graduated several years ago, but many things I was taught there still stick with me. I used to remind many of my peers that most of the time, it isn't the school: middle school is supposed to be terrible for everyone. There's no way around it. However at McAuliffe, they do their best to shape their students into better individuals. The teachers there put so much time and effort into their work and they want their students to have the best possible opportunities. There is an extensive range of clubs as well as many sports offered. The school is smaller than the other middle schools in town, but it fosters a welcoming and tight knit community. Instead of regular "specials" (gym, music, art) they offer unique classes (Adventure, Wellness, and T4L2/Design) that are different every year. Not every loves this school, but I think that it is a wonderful opportunity to grow not just as students but as young adults.... Read 10 reviews

• grade B

• Students 399

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Boston, MA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  87 reviews

Alum: I loved going to Edward M Kennedy Academy for Health Careers. Everyone who works there truly wants the best for you. Was the name of the schools says, it is directed towards health careers, but don't worry. Once you get to college, you will have the opportunity to major in something else if you find that a health career is not what you want anymore. They truly set you up for the future and will help you prosper. I loved going to Edward M Kennedy Academy for Health Careers. Everyone who works there truly wants the best for you. Was the name of the schools says, it is directed towards health careers, but don't worry. Once you get to college, you will have the opportunity to major in something else if you find that a health career is not what you want anymore. They truly set you up for the future and will help you prosper. I loved going to Edward M Kennedy Academy for Health Careers.... Read 87 reviews

• grade B

• Students 385

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Hyde Park, MA•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.3 out of 5  53 reviews

Works Here: I am in my 11th year teaching and my 4th year teaching full-time at Boston Prep. I have found Boston Prep to be an exceptional place to work. Leadership is innovative, compassionate, and hard-working. Staff is dedicated to helping students above all and work tirelessly to do so. The building is beautiful. Best of all, the students are creative, bright, and many of very high-achieving. This is not to say that the work is easy because it definitely is not. Closing the achievement gap is, indeed, very challenging work but I cannot say enough good things about how hard everyone at Boston Prep is trying to do that. No work place is perfect but every single day, I am grateful to work at Boston Prep, including now, when we are remote-teaching and learning. In fact, the COVID-19 crisis has exemplified the innovation, compassion, and dedication of Boston Prep's teachers, students, and leadership.... Read 53 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 671

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Hyde Park, MA•

• Public School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 3.38 out of 5  37 reviews

Parent: APR is an excellent charter school. While some schools focus solely on academics the teachers at APR reward Kaizen and Gambatte, which translates roughly to continual improvement and never giving up. That means that even if a student isn't at the top of the class, he or she is celebrated for the effort and the willingness to stretch. An example is the requirement that all students learn Mandarin. Most students would argue that they wouldn't be able to learn to read and write such a complicated language, but they all achieve some level of proficiency as long as they work hard. By focusing on character, the faculty is able to pull out the best of students, whatever their individual skills may be. Almost all student go on to higher study, and that is because there is an expectation that students will stretch themselves and not give up. APR has been a great character building environment, which, in turn, leads to academic success.... Read 37 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 540

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Boston, MA•

• Public School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.22 out of 5  49 reviews

Senior: This school has a strong academic curriculum and college and career readiness programs to help students be in the best shape that they can be for life after high school. They have an amazing support system through teachers, college and career counselors, and mentors. However, one of a few things that they're flawed in is staying consistent and being fair in some of their rule making. For example, they have a "ELH" rule that adds extended learning for students who miss any amount of class. However, they are not lenient towards doctor's appointments that can't be missed/rescheduled or any extremely personal circumstances. Other than that and a few other minor inconveniences, this school is pretty good.... Read 49 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 1,213

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Roxbury, MA•

• Public School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 3.13 out of 5  31 reviews

Senior: RPHS is a great school! even though it is very strict, they main goal is to make sure you get in and graduate into a 4 year college. students and staff always care about you and your well being therefore whenever you need help with something, especially with your college applications they will always be there for you. Roxbury Preparatory High School can offer you so many opportunities, such as summer jobs, resources to apply for college, clubs/ programs, etc. the diversity is one of my favorite things because there are many students from so many different backgrounds and you get to have the opportunity to get to know people with so many different stories and would give you more knowledge about things you might did not know. RPHS community is always engage in everything and even though I will be graduating in a few weeks, I can highly recommend this school. Even though I will be moving to my next chapter, this school would still welcome me with open arms whenever I need anything.... Read 31 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 1,596

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Brighton, MA•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  25 reviews

Alum: I was at this school for 2 years before moving away and I can honestly say at this school I had great memories. I have made friendships that I still carry to this day. The school does prepare you for the intensiveness of college and the school itself is very unique. The school revolves around being environmentally friendly, hence, why green is in the name. They come up with new ways for students to be more involved in being green and take care of the environment.... Read 25 reviews

• grade C+

• Students 509

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Boston Public Schools, MA•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Alum: I loved the flexibility that Boston Collaborative gave me. I was able to work a part-time job while finishing my high school education. I was also given the opportunity to complete college classes, for credits at Bunker Hill Community College, while still in high school. This set me up well for college and allowed for more motivation to continue my education at a higher level.... Read 2 reviews

• grade C+

• Students 160

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Roxbury, MA•

• Public School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Wonderful school the teachers are all great my son when there from the time bridge was open he will be the first graduating class of 2020... Read 2 reviews

• grade C+

• Students 338

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Boston Public Schools, MA•

• PK, K-3

• grade C

• Students 162

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Hyde Park, MA•

• Public School•

• PK, K-6

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Niche User: The teachers were determined to guide the children to the next grade and make sure they understood the curriculum. Many teachers were frustrated with the ones who didnt follow directions but the student support office staff were great coaches. They wanted to get to know the students and what they needed to do to become successful. Everyone wanted to graduate to middle school, eventually all the students were motivated and ready to engage into the curriculum.... Read 1 review

• grade C

• Students 943

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1