2023 Best College Prep Public High Schools in the New York City Area

• Bergen County Vocational Technical School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  543 reviews

Junior: I am a junior at Bergen County Academies and I have had a good experience so far. The teachers at Bergen County Academies are for the most part very knowledgeable in their fields. They are willing to go above and beyond. I also appreciate the fact that the school tries to ensure college readiness through guidance seminar and an overall competitive environment. One thing that I would like to see change at Bergen County Academies is the availability of resources for students. While the school does have a lot of resources available, I feel like there could be more support for students who are struggling academically or who need extra help. Another issue students may encounter is the fact that they are locked into their chosen academy. Overall, my experience at Bergen County Academies has been positive. It is a great school with a strong focus on academics and extracurricular activities, but getting involved in those activities might be difficult due to the already extended school day.... Read 543 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1470

• Average ACT 34

• Monmouth County Vocational School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  105 reviews

Senior: Choosing this high school was one of the best decisions of my life! From amazing teachers to peers that support and get along with each other, High Technology High School provided me with the best possible high school experience I could have asked for. The academics are rigorous but manageable, and the clubs provide great opportunities to meet and become friends with others who share your interests. The hour long lunch in the middle of every day is a perfect time to get some extra studying done as well as generally hanging out with friends. I have met so many great people by going to this school, and I believe that I changed for the better having gone here over my home high school. There are people from every walk of life and by going to this school I was able to learn so much, not just from academics but also from my fellow students.... Read 105 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1520

• Average ACT 34

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  1,117 reviews

Senior: Stuyvesant High School is a very rigourous school, requires a high score in a very difficult entrance exam (SHSAT), and maintains a strong academic environment to support students. Many of the facilities and programs that are developed are meant to aid students in gaining acceptance to top universities. Additionally, Stuyvesant High School students have a strong sense of community with alumnis returning year after year to provide their own scholarships, aid, and knowledge to current students. Stuyvesant High School has a lack of diversity but is able to still support minorities with clubs that draws students with common backgrounds together.... Read 1,117 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1490

• Average ACT 33

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  1,023 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 1,023 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1440

• Average ACT 33

• Morris County Vocational School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  39 reviews

Alum: The best experience I could have possibly had in high school. Great teachers, resources, facilities, and most importantly, people. I met people here I'll never forget. At first, the schoolwork was difficult and I thought I might not be able to stay, but the community helped me get through it. I was able to thrive at AMSE thanks to that same community and would recommend it for anyone interested in STEM in the future!... Read 39 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1530

• Average ACT 35

• Union County Vocational-Technical School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  143 reviews

Senior: Magnet is a school that is very near and dear to me. Throughout my time here, I have made many friends that I will stay in touch with for the rest of my life. I relish the opportunity to interact with so many intelligent people and feel that the culture is one that stimulates growth and improvement. The teachers are above average and it feels like they truly care about their students. I would highly recommend any students in the Union County area to apply to Magnet. It will absolutely be worth it.... Read 143 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1400

• Average ACT 33

• Monmouth County Vocational School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  118 reviews

Senior: I really enjoyed the academics at Biotech, although the classes were definitely difficult. I felt that I was being pushed past my limit at times, feeling overwhelmed and discouraged. Some of my friends had bad experiences with staff members, and the mental health and morale of the school could definitely be improved. I would like to see some change in those areas, possibly through more peer meetings to talk about mental health or something similar. Overall, I think my experience was very good, because my overall experience was something that I will always have with me and to remember happy times.... Read 118 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1480

• Average ACT 34

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  138 reviews

Senior: The High School of American Studies has created a rigorous academic environment in which students are pushed to do their best academically, striving for success on the daily. Teachers are always willing to help students with questions and test preparation, making it clear that they wish for each and every student to succeed. The history program is unmatched, as a curriculum of US History that would regularly take up one year is stretched into 3, allowing the students to truly learn the complexities of American history. Although the school is incredibly small, this acts as a positive in the overall experience. Students become incredibly comfortable with their peers and can easily trust anyone around them for help. The class size being small allows teachers and students to foster a closer relationship with much more daily specialized attention. The facilities are not exceptional in the high school itself, however the ability to use Lehman College's facilities makes up for any faults.... Read 138 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1420

• Average ACT 32

• New York City Geographic District No. 31, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  765 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 765 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1430

• Average ACT 32

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  672 reviews

Junior: The townsend harris high school is an excellent source of rigor without the restraint of standardize tests deeming admissions. Not only does this school have an excellent collaboration of humanities and stem it also has unique traditions including an ephebic oath and classical language classes. Overall, this school is a testament to the public school system and how normal teenagers can thrive in an environment!... Read 672 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1400

• Average ACT 31

• Middlesex County Vocational & Technical School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.51 out of 5  47 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 47 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1510

• Average ACT 34

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  198 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 198 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1400

• Average ACT 31

• Bergen County Vocational Technical School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  246 reviews

Senior: Bergen Tech Teterboro is really a wonderful school in so many ways! It has offered me so many different opportunities to further my academic career as well as many different ways to pursue my passions. One thing I love about our school is that since we're a technical school we have majors, Digital Media for the win, we have the chance to not only learn skills that we would have to wait for college to learn, but we also have the opportunity to work with industry standard equipment and materials that prepare us for entry into the workforce. Our senior internship program also allows the seniors another opportunity to intern and get real work experience in professional settings as high school seniors!... Read 246 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1370

• Average ACT 32

• Edgemont Union Free School District, NY•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  99 reviews

Senior: The education at Edgemont was fantastic, and I feel extremely prepared to go into college and then post-college whatever job I may search for. The teachers are passionate and knowledgeable and there are lots of opportunities to expand beyond the curriculum offered. Although it is a small school, there are still a decent variety of classes, and I've never found myself searching for something that wasn't there. However, Edgemont's community is generally very stressed out and sleep deprived, leading to a depressed student body and a generally not great vibe. There are plentiful resources for students mental and emotional healthy, but I've found that most students choose not to participate in those resources. Personally, I've had no issues with the culture in Edgemont, as I have plenty of friends and family who helped me get through the tough parts of high school, but I know a number of people who had a very different experience at Edgemont.... Read 99 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1370

• Average ACT 32

• Jericho Union Free School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  179 reviews

Sophomore: I really like the supportiveness at Jericho High School. The wide variety of classes caters to students interested in pursuing many paths in the future, from music to STEM to literature. I feel comfortable exploring opportunities with the support of my teachers, who go the extra mile to ensure that I'm always doing my best. The competitive environment is also very different from most schools, so it is not just the teachers encouraging you to do your best, its peers and classmates. Combined, all of this makes a healthy environment that ensures success!... Read 179 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1400

• Average ACT 31

• Union County Vocational-Technical School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  121 reviews

Senior: The Academy for Information Technology is a great school to attend if you are pursuing a business/information technology path as a career. You have focused vocational classes teaching business to programming languages like Java. However, the school does not provide the greatest of technological resources. Students only have Chromebooks and Desktops at the school often have their issues which makes it hard to use. Funding dedication in this area isn't the greatest. The counselors help you every step along the way in assisting your application up to college. The food here is average, not the greatest but there are secondary choices always such as hamburgers aside from the main lunch.... Read 121 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1380

• Average ACT 32

• Great Neck Public Schools, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  262 reviews

Senior: Very, very academically toxic environment, it's not really competitive until you realize it is by having interactions with — normal people. Certain people here can be complete jerks, but others are nice. This school has a variety of types of people in it despite low racial diversity. The only very good sports teams are in badminton, fencing and track & field. Some other programs like tennis and swim are good sometimes, but they are generally just average. All the other sports are embarrassingly bad. (Core subject) teachers here are either average or very, very good. The largest redeeming factor for this school is that some of the teachers are world-class, and even perspective-changing, if their teaching method resonates with you. If you challenge yourself and take difficult classes, school will be hard. Some of the competition clubs are very good, some overfunded, others not funded at all. If you want to give your life for a grade and don't have bad social experiences, it's a 10/10.... Read 262 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1390

• Average ACT 31

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  160 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 160 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1360

• Average ACT 31

• Millburn Township School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  199 reviews

Senior: Millburn is a great place to be academically, athletically, and socially challenged. Without a doubt, it's a strenuous school. The workload is tough - sometimes overbearing - but it does pay off. There are great teachers here that care about their students. My one wish for the school would be to find a way to change the perfectionist culture surrounding grades. Often, students are so stressed about getting top marks that they neglect sleep, social activities, and their mental well-being. I think the best learning environment is one where students are encouraged to do their best but their real motivation comes from a desire within to learn - not just succeed to get into that top school. I do think Millburn is placing more emphasis on the mental health of its students, and I would love to see more of it in the near future.... Read 199 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1380

• Average ACT 31

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  2,237 reviews

Senior: Brooklyn Technical High School is the quintessential NYC school. The largest public high school in the state if not the country. While smaller schools advertise their student-teacher ratio and other such statistics Tech holds different strengths. In my experience, Tech is more akin to a medium-sized college than a high school. As a magnet students will need adequate testing skills and prep for admission. Accountability is everything. Making friends, bonding with teachers, and receiving help demands communication skills. Like our city, you need to know how to speak up. Tech's size is a double-edged sword; while it means less individual attention, slower and less organized bureaucracy, it also means a plethora of opportunities, communities, and even academic majors! Tech builds character and prepares you for the real world by demanding self-sufficiency, dedication, and confidence. Ambitious, driven, and adventurous students will thrive at Tech. Freshman, learn your cardinal directions!... Read 2,237 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1380

• Average ACT 31

• Union County Vocational-Technical School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  132 reviews

Freshman: I love this school! I love having the opportunity to take a class specifically involving health sciences and learning more about my future career before college. This school has great a great environment and has a great curriculum. The learning experience is amazing and I feel like I learn a lot more than any of the other schools I have been. The teachers are great and even now in a virtual environment, they are trying their best to teach and be supportive of the students. I also love how this school has many amazing clubs and student life experiences. They give students a chance to try out different activities and hobbies with clubs as well as get to know more about each other. This school has many diverse students because they accept students from all over the county. It's great if you want to get to know about other cultures and interact with different people. Overall this school is amazing and I'm completely enjoying my experience, even as an online student.... Read 132 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1370

• Average ACT 32

• Chappaqua Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.66 out of 5  129 reviews

Alum: Class of 2019 Review: Pros: Academics - has a very academically stimulating environment - teachers push students to pursue their curiosities, particularly through the school's science research and independent study programs. Clubs - there are a wide variety of clubs and extracurriculars supported by the school. Reputation - the school is very well recognized for its academic rigor by top universities. Cons: Competitive atmosphere - the competitiveness of the school's students can be stifling at times, as it seems people care more about getting into college than the students around them. Stress - a natural product of the school's atmosphere and academic rigor - it can be a very stressful environment at times. I overall did enjoy my four years at Greeley - best of luck to all incoming students!... Read 129 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1360

• Average ACT 31

• Roslyn Union Free School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  133 reviews

Sophomore: I am a current sophomore at Roslyn High School. So far, feel very prepared for college thus far and I can't even imagine what could come next! I love all the opportunities that this school has given me whether it comes to sports, clubs, or even classes. I have had the opportunity to take various levels of courses, which has been great in challenging me. The teachers are always there to help, with office hours, extra help, email, and even after class. They have stayed lenient and understanding during the Covid-19 pandemic, which I am extremely grateful for. Although we have great opportunities the there is a lack of POC and culture from those communities, however, there is no divide between any of the communities, anyone can be friends with anyone. Overall I have had a very good experience so far.... Read 133 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1370

• Average ACT 31

• Scarsdale Union Free School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  123 reviews

Alum: In terms of academics, this school is great. Most of the teachers I had were amazing and I felt sufficiently prepared for college. In terms of the school environment, it can be difficult for international students because of lack of diversity. It is also very competitive, which prepares you better for college but could potentially cause a lot of stress. Other than that, it is a great school to attend!... Read 123 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1400

• Average ACT 32

• Tenafly Public School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  134 reviews

Senior: In general, I think THS is excellent academic wise. The education is great and I have had a good experience in terms of my academics. However, I think the school, and possibly the town, struggles socially. There is very little diversity, and I have noticed that the whole "school spirit" is generally lacking (except for during certain schoolwide events). Additionally, the school social scene revolves around cliques and popularity which is not always the best.... Read 134 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1370

• Average ACT 31