2023 Best Schools in Staten Island

• 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. 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. 31, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  779 reviews

Junior: You will be exposed to a multitude of resources during your time here and welcomed into a great community! While this school may not be for those unwilling to take on a rigorous academic experience, you will certainly be given the choices to take easier classes. The courseload can demanding at times, but most teachers are reasonable as long as you communicate with them. Ultimately, Tech will offer you many things to enhance and enrich your high school experience, but it is up to YOU to take advantage, whether that be through an internship, mentorship, sport, club, SING, etc.... Read 779 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,355

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  692 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 692 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,347

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Brooklyn, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  39 reviews

Parent: My children have received an exquisite education. The teachers and students are brilliant. Of course, no place is perfect, and the school has some areas of growth. I am grateful that my kids have gotten to attend such a special and magical school that has fostered their creativity, individuality, and intellectualism.... Read 39 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,095

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Brooklyn, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.3 out of 5  50 reviews

Parent: I can’t say enough good things about BASIS Independent Brooklyn! Our 4 year old is in the PK-1 program at their new school location (405 Gold Street) and he’s blossoming! Caring and awesome teachers. Very thorough communication from the admin. A rock solid parent community! A great curriculum that offers a diversity of skills-building challenges (literacy, math, yoga, movement, theater, science, social emotional learning, Mandarin, just to name a few!) A plethora of after-school activities. Great location (next to a Target & Trader Joe’s). Same rigorous education but $20K cheaper than Poly Prep/Saint Ann’s etc. We met some amazing friends through this school and our son is so happy to go to school every day! In Pre-K 1 (3’s program), our son is already doing sight words and he’s staring to read simple words. The school really fosters a curiosity for learning, civic duty awareness, kindness development and a community of like-minded parent community! I can’t be happier!... Read 50 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 732

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Somerset, NJ•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.59 out of 5  111 reviews

Parent: I have two children that attend RPS Upper School, this school is fantastic! My sons are academically challenged and are receiving a world-class education. This school encompasses all aspects of a five star rating. The faculty and staff are attentive and responsive to every need. The school is culturally diverse, it offers students many sports, clubs, and various activities to choose from and they celebrate student accomplishments in and out of the classroom setting. Your child will graduate from RPS well prepared for college and beyond!... Read 111 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 640

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Brooklyn, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  106 reviews

Alum: I absolutely loved the education. The english and math department of the high school are stellar and care truly about the students, the student's well being, and their education. The athletics is cutthroat and treats every sporting event like the olympics. The campus is beautiful, but it seems recently the administration is falling apart.... Read 106 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,155

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Brooklyn, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  123 reviews

Senior: Packer Collegiate Institute, a quaint school in Brooklyn Heights, will undoubtedly prepare prospective students to take on the world and the challenges that may come. Students learn more about themselves, each other and the world in which they live. There are numerous opportunities to expand your thinking both in school and abroad which makes it great for the meek and the adventurous. There is something for everyone here regardless of your extracirricular preferences or academic strong suits.... Read 123 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 996

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  142 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 142 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 408

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  202 reviews

Junior: I love the overall attention every individual student receives at HSMSE. Being a small school of 150 students a grade, HSMSE is able to provide every student the help they may need. Students are given the opportunity to create a closer bond with their teachers, making them more likely to participate during class and approach teachers after class. Additionally, every teacher is more than willing to offer students assistance. Being the rigorous school that it is, students may feel the need to seek review or extra clarification on a topic. This assistance is extremely easy to receive as there is a schedule handed out to every student regarding the teacher's office hours. Conveniently, teachers offer both morning office hours and afternoon office hours. Creating a tight knit community makes the school environment a safer and more comfortable place for everyone.... Read 202 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 524

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Brooklyn, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.44 out of 5  79 reviews

Senior: I have really enjoyed my time at Berkeley Carroll. I am a lifer at the school, and my time is all three divisions was/has been memorable and enjoyable. Lower School was fun and enjoyable---but it also sparked a lifelong love of learning and writing. BC's middle school offered a welcome contrast to the pop-culture understanding that the years between 5th and 8th grade are a tortuous nightmare; BC administrators and teachers nipped drama and conflict in the bud. The Upper School has been extremely rigorous, but I have also deepened friendships and met classmates from a diversity of backgrounds. As my time at the school draws to a close, the friends I made, and the passion of my teachers will stick with me for a lifetime. BC's distinctive Science research program, English & history electives, and American Studies course have prepared me for college and life post-grad. I learned how to write personal essays, review scientific literature, conduct rigorous research, and think critically... Read 79 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 981

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Middlesex County Vocational & Technical School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.48 out of 5  48 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 48 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 172

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• New York, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  105 reviews

Junior: Great school! Like all places, there are definitely some things that can be improved. Overall the school is a good place to be if you are looking for a small private new york city school then this could be it for you. The IB program could use a little work. Having more concrete classes and requirements and standards for testing and assessing. There could also be more use of the city and the neighborhood as an asset. Like using the park and museums near by. While there are thing s that need improvement there are a lot of things that I love.... Read 105 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 700

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• 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. 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•

• 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. 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

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

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  224 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 224 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,639

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Edison, NJ•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  9 reviews

Junior: My experience at the OPA is amazing. The teachers are the most caring, kind, and qualified I've ever seen. They will go out of their way to help you be comfortable with the material. Best teachers ever!... Read 9 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 118

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Jersey City, NJ•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  222 reviews

Works Here: I love working for Saint Peter's Prep! As an educator with over 15 years experience in both public and private schools, Prep has an unmatched energy, brotherhood, and overall educational experience for its young men. Students are exposed to an unparalleled Jesuit education plus stellar extracurriculars, sports, abroad programs, volunteer opportunities, and so much more. My colleagues are highly educated experts in their fields and also embody the "cura personalis" that is the lifeblood of an Ignatian education. Students are nurtured socially, emotionally, and also well prepared for college, careers and a life beyond Prep. I am grateful to be a part of Prep and its rich history of success.... Read 222 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 894

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Staten Island, NY•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  81 reviews

Parent: Staten Island Academy has been a second home. The faculty are hardworking, kind and supportive. Children are encouraged to try everything from sports to music. They take on leadership roles in and out of the classroom. Additionally, the college program to personal and top-notch!... Read 81 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 368

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• 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

• Middlesex County Vocational & Technical School District, NJ•

• 8-12

• •
  Rating 3.57 out of 5  152 reviews

Senior: It was a school where I had to grow, for better or for worse. The school is tiny, so everyone in your grade will know each other. While this let me build some great bonds with people, it also means that you're stuck with the personality people assume you have. Even though we were small, we are cliquey. The education varies in quality. There are some good teachers, but the staff does not communicate with each other and some teachers believe that piling on assignments and making tests incredibly difficult will ensure that the rigor of the curriculum is preserved. However, I learned a ton and it affirmed that medicine was the field for me, and that's a discovery I would not have made in a regular high school. You also learn to develop your sense and understanding of self separate from your grades or education. Everyone here is smart! So you undergo a lot of self introspection and rediscover yourself.... Read 152 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 285

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• 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