2024 Best Public Schools in Brooklyn

• New York City Geographic District No. 10, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  1,051 reviews

Parent: Excellent academics, almost every AP possible offered, lots of students taking post AP classes. Large school (~2800 kids), but brilliant student body with a wide range of interests and passions. This is the school where one can find high performing athletes with interests in performing arts and computers science or biology or math or physics or engineering. As one of the Specialized high school of the city, students come from all boroughs, making a 2-4 hours daily commute a regular part their 4-year high school journey. Very large number of clubs, sports, student activities. Teachers and administrators are top notch and dedicated. Perfect? Of course not, as it is after all a public school, but the Alumni foundation and the Parent Association are extremely active and generous both with time and resources to make up for what the Dept of Education budget does not cover. Go Wolverines!... Read 1,051 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,985

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 25, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  693 reviews

Sophomore: I'm a sophomore at Townsend Harris, and my experience has been great! I really like that every year there are some school "holidays" that are special to our school only! The school was quite challenging academically since it required me to change my studying habits (I used to procrastinate a lot). The classes were nice. You could choose if you wanted to choose AP classes. But during freshman year you get automatically put into Pre-AP World History. Then in sophomore year, it's required to take AP World History. The students, teachers, and staff are all friendly! There are so many extracurriculars too, so if you're looking to do stuff in your free time there are a lot of options. The sports department is great too because of the variety. There's basketball, soccer, table tennis, badminton, handball, swimming, and many more!... Read 693 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,347

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 2, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  1,148 reviews

Sophomore: Stuyvesant is a school that expects students to work their hardest. That being said, there is a lot of independency: if you need help, you are expected to reach out to the teachers or seek out help yourself. Generally, the teachers are looking out for you, with some exceptions, but you are the person that determines how well you do in school. Outside the 10 classes, Stuyvesant offers a wide range of extracurriculars that each have a supportive community in each. For instance, the annual SING! shows are where you can meet a variety of people who share your interests and make friends. Basically, Stuyvesant is a good school with a supportive community that expects independence and hard work from its students.... Read 1,148 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,304

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 10, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  143 reviews

Junior: I began my time at High School of American Studies at Lehman College without any solid connections to the school. Besides one of my elementary school friends having attended the school, I knew no one in my grade. Thankfully, this was never a problem because the school community was quick to accept me with open arms and I fell in love with the school environment instantly. I cannot stress enough just how wonderful the people at this school have been, they are truly the most inclusive, intelligent, and hilarious students and educators I've ever worked with. While I will warn incoming students and parents that the work load is extremely arduous and challenging, the content of the classes (particularly the World and American history classes) is exceptional! The extracurricular activities are very humanities-oriented (I myself am a member of the mock trial, debate, and model UN teams) so I would especially advise students to attend if they demonstrate a propensity towards law and history.... Read 143 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 408

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 24, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  392 reviews

Junior: My overall experiences have been very well so far. I had started off my beginning freshman year badly and I had no idea how to overcome that. When I became a sophomore, I finally decided to try to overturn that fate and get help from my peers and teachers. The resources provided by my teachers was astronomically amazing, the results that showed after I had done my hardest to achieve a progress report filled with B's. I was astonished that I could achieve that. This year will be my 3rd year at Bard Highschool and I will start to be better about my studying habits and such. I never really had any bad experiences at Bard Highschool at all, it's just that the workload was a bit much, but I endured it and already expected it in the first place.... Read 392 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 675

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 5, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  203 reviews

Freshman: Starting college as a freshman has been an exciting and challenging transition for me. The newfound independence and responsibility are both liberating and slightly overwhelming. I've enjoyed the freedom to choose my classes and set my schedule, but it's also a responsibility to manage my time effectively. Meeting new people and making friends has been a highlight. The diversity of backgrounds and ideas on campus has exposed me to a broader perspective, enriching my worldview. One of the aspects I love about college is the opportunity to explore a wide range of subjects. It's fascinating to delve into courses that genuinely interest me, and I appreciate the passionate professors who inspire me to learn more. Balancing academics, extracurricular activities, and personal time can be challenging, but it's a valuable skill I'm developing.... Read 203 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 524

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 1, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  300 reviews

Alum: The close-knit community allows for meaningful relationships between students and teachers, creating a collaborative and inclusive atmosphere. The emphasis on critical thinking and analytical skills sets Bard Early College High School apart. The curriculum encourages students to think critically, question assumptions, and develop their own perspectives. This not only prepares them for higher education but also equips them with essential skills for success in the modern world. While Bard Early College High School has many strengths, it may not be the ideal fit for every student. The rigorous academic environment and fast-paced nature of the curriculum can be challenging for some students who prefer a more traditional high school experience. Additionally, the workload can be demanding, requiring students to manage their time effectively and prioritize their responsibilities.... Read 300 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 614

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 13, NY•

• 8-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  2,284 reviews

Sophomore: I've met many genuine people, both students and teachers who care about me and I care about them. Most teachers are some of the greatest people ever and do their job fantastically! Though the school may be tiny been uncoordinated at times, it is quite the unique one that I believe I am insanely lucky to be in. Perhaps in the future, I'd like to see more representation for the minorities of the very diverse student population. In fact, I am part of a club called the Hindu Students Council and one of our goals is to do exactly that and bring recognition to our religion and culture.... Read 2,284 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 5,966

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Brooklyn, NY•

• Public School•

• 5-8

• •
  Rating 3.5 out of 5  2 reviews

High School Senior: I felt as though I was being well prepared for college life. However, the strict rules somewhat affected how happy I was, and I could've enjoyed my time their more if I was given more freedom.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 250

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 2, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  165 reviews

Sophomore: ELRO is a small school allows easier community building and working together for similar goals (different classes, respect for others…). I enjoy weekly advisories that go over the topic of the month or week(s) such as: Lunar New Year, Black traditions, etc. These subjects are respectfully and collaboratively spoken, while understanding the differences between each and every person. It’s crucial for a community that’s trustworthy in order to dive deeper into quite sensitive topics such as violence, politics, and personal opinions. Adding on, from my two years at ELRO, I saw that it used to be a white dominated or majority high school. But, I see the changes for acceptance of students that grew to a diverse range of backgrounds in these two years. In addition, one change can be showing respect or speaking on different religions that shouldn’t only be in history-based classes. I see hostility and bias that sees others as dangerous and unfriendly like the historical people and events.... Read 165 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 537

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 1, NY•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  225 reviews

Parent: NEST+M is a warm and nurturing community. The student body is kind. The faculty is great and encourages and empowers students. Students' mental health and well-being are foremost at NEST. Teachers and staff work hard to address the pressure students experience at a school of NEST's caliber, particularly during the college application season. Although NEST+M is known as an excellent stem school, the humanities are outstanding and should get their due! The administration is on top of things and responsive. However, like most city public schools, it can be inflexible and bureaucratic at times. The downsides are the limited athletics and art options. It is also crowded during passing time. All in all, NEST+M has exceeded my expectations.... Read 225 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,639

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Brooklyn, NY•

• Public School•

• K-8

• grade A+

• Students 731

• Student-teacher ratio —

• New York City Geographic District No. 14, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  293 reviews

Senior: The Brooklyn Latin school is quite small, but this makes for a close-knit community. It is the the friendly atmosphere that I love the most. I see most of the same people in my classes and this has allowed me to make close friends. The teachers are kind and helpful; they always welcome questions and hold office hours for anyone who needs them. Due to low budgeting, the clubs and sports that the school offers may not be the best, but all clubs are student led and driven which makes them great nonetheless. Something else that gives Brooklyn Latin its mystique is the traditions that bring this community to life. Students learn latin all four years of high school and greet each other in the language within the school. Declamation is an honorable tradition in which students have the opportunity to share with the entire school something they are passionate about. And I have learned more about greek mythology at this school than I could have ever learned otherwise.... Read 293 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 844

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 3, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  528 reviews

Senior: I have loved my experience at Beacon. I have encountered so many dedicated, kind, and intelligent teachers who work hard to make sure all their students succeed. I think there's a risk with changes to the application process that incoming classes might not be as academically dedicated as in the past, and the students are really important to the quality of the school. However, Beacon has always had a vibrant community with tons of opportunities to take advantage of, so I'm not worried. The arts could be better, besides the music department which has amazing facilities. Overall, Beacon is a great school and allows for a good balance of academic rigor and social life/extracurriculars.... Read 528 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,507

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 30, NY•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  237 reviews

Sophomore: Almost all of the teachers I've encountered at Baccalaureate are exceptional and know what they're doing. Because of the small community and class sizes at Baccalaureate, I had opportunities to reach out to teachers and formed a few close connections out of choice, but I knew I had the chance to be even more proactive if I'd chosen to be. Throughout your time at Baccalaureate, you really do come to know everyone, at the very least all of your grademates, considering how my specific grade had just over 90 people. I can't speak much on the IB curriculum as I never had the chance to take it, but they're essentially another form of college-level work like the AP. Course offerings aren't as flexible as I'd like because of the limited number of faculty and as such language and art/computer science rotate between grades.... Read 237 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 530

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Brooklyn, NY•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  20 reviews

Senior: AFUP is very inclusive in diversity, academically rigorous, and allows you the freedom to choose classes after freshmen year. The teachers are very involved in your academics especially during the college process. There is plenty of emotional support from the counselors and teachers when needed. Everyone knows who you are which works in your favor especially when it comes to leniency for deadlines. For the most part, everyone knows each other from elementary or middle school but the students are very welcoming of students who come from public schools. For the most part, the curriculum is very straight forward and if not, the teachers are more than willing to go over it with you and provide office hours for more individualized support. The school is also highly open and responsive to student feedback; the student body has advocated for more representation in the arts program and the faculty took that into consideration now allowing us to have even more performances throughout the year... Read 20 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 936

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 3, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.71 out of 5  192 reviews

Junior: As a student who went to charter school for majority of their academic career, the switch to public school was an interesting one. My overall experience at Hunter has been a positive one. There have only been a few problems that I have observed but those have been solved. Most students would say the work load is a lot. I personally don’t agree but if you are not used to getting homework at least every night then it will be an adjustment. Hunter is a school that is considered accelerated because all senior students are on Hunter College campus taking college classes, so they have to prep their students for college life.... Read 192 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 433

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 3, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  1,208 reviews

Senior: As a new alumna, I can confidently say that the school excels in providing a solid academic foundation and excellent studio instruction. However, there is one area where improvement is needed: the administration. LaGuardia maintains a rigorous academic curriculum. Most teachers are knowledgeable, passionate, and dedicated to helping students succeed. The school offers a wide range of advanced courses, allowing students to explore various academic disciplines. The academic programs foster critical thinking, creativity, and intellectual growth, preparing students for higher education and future careers. However, the administration at LaGuardia High School leaves much to be desired. There is a notable lack of effective communication between the administration and the students, parents, and even the faculty. Important information often gets lost or delayed, causing confusion and frustration among the school community.... Read 1,208 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,383

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 15, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  151 reviews

Senior: The school enables a bunch of internal thinking that really pushes you to think outside the box, but also improve your logical thinking when it comes to subjects such as Mathematics and English courses. The teachers are very kind and forgiving when it comes to work, and the student I have interacted with, at all grades, are kind individuals when it comes to school work, and activities outside of school as well.... Read 151 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 671

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Brooklyn, NY•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 3.6 out of 5  5 reviews

Alum: I liked the relationships I built with my teachers and how they always take students' opinions when we strongly disagree with something. I also loved all the fun trips that was planned and how the teachers made sure that all of their students pass the state test.... Read 5 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 786

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 13, NY•

• 6-8

• grade A+

• Students 294

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 2, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  200 reviews

Junior: The school offers a wide variety of courses, ranging from any subject and personal interest. Students are allowed outside to lunch, which is great considering we are in one of the best NYC neighborhoods (SoHo) with many options. The faculty and staff are very helpful, and are always there to support students through academics and any personal concerns. We have modules, which are intensive courses that a student chooses based on their personal interest. Students do research on a specific subject and then create a final project. Students also have the opportunity to choose their own classes! In terms of college readiness, as a Junior I feel as if the College Office, advisors, and teachers do a great job at walking you through the process and helping you find a school that is the best fit for you. There is assistance with writing the college essay, and a list of programs, opportunities, and scholarships sent out monthly to help students with financial aid and gaining new experiences.... Read 200 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 468

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Hudson County Schools of Technology School District, NJ•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: For the first time since my son began his educational career, he is truly excited to go to school. Emphasis is, of course, placed on doing well academically but, more importantly, working well in collaborative groups, hands on activities, and character development. This has contributed to making the students independent and proactive. The administration is extraordinarily supportive and communication is open. Emails are answered within minutes. Including weekends. This is truly a family.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 156

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 13, NY•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  3 reviews

Works Here: PS11K offers an Ivy League experience in a public school setting. The school offers an extensive enrichment program during and after school including weekends. The academic program is rigorous and exciting. Field trips are embedded in the curricular program including excursions out of state to cultural institutions, historical sites, learning institutions, ivy league universities and destinations just for fun. Parents have been made active partners over the years in developing PS11 into a learning environment that caters to and develops the whole child. PS11's mission statement is surely a living document designed with children at the heart.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A

• Students 834

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 22, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  326 reviews

Senior: One thing I absolutely love about Goldstein is its small, tight-knitted community that's filled with such hardworking, and intelligent students who truly care about their grades and future. Most teachers develop great relationships with their students, and are flexible when it comes to grading and policies. The sanitation here is also extremely satisfactory. One of the qualities I value most about Goldstein is its competitive yet friendly nature. It not only pushes me to work harder but also provides me with a space to be myself. Furthermore, our school is surrounded by nature, and the bus stop is right outside our campus! However, while most students respect peers and staff, the incoming freshmen classes seem to be deteriorating the quality of our school by causing safety concerns. That is a problem I'm most concerned with and I'd want to be addressed. Goldstein should also provide more college advising to rising seniors by giving us college application advice sooner and more often.... Read 326 reviews

• grade A

• Students 963

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1