2023 Most Diverse Public High Schools in the New York City Area

• 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+

• Students 496

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 21, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  943 reviews

Junior: I love my school, Edward R. Murrow High School, with all my heart. I study at an art Institute, at the art program, and I really like the classes. The teachers there are wonderful and their relationship with the students is very pleasant. The atmosphere in the classroom is quite friendly and cheerful. Teachers are always happy to help and support you. I really love this school!... Read 943 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Students 3,693

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  1,451 reviews

Senior: In general, there are either really good teachers or subpar level teachers. Its all about luck when it comes to that but there are so many AP courses available which is great to meet the needs of so many different students. In addition, there are so many clubs to choose from which can make the overall school experience more fun! The learning experience and the overall quality of life in Midwood is really great.... Read 1,451 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 4,117

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.71 out of 5  188 reviews

Niche User: One of the things that stood out to me most about MHSHS was the high level of academic rigor. The school has a reputation for being challenging, and it certainly lived up to that reputation. However, the teachers were incredibly supportive and always willing to help students who were struggling. The school also offered a wide range of advanced courses and extracurricular activities, which allowed me to pursue my interests and challenge myself in new ways. Beyond academics, the community at MHSHS was one of the best things about the school. Everyone from the teachers to the students was passionate about learning and dedicated to making the school a better place. I made lifelong friendships while at MHSHS, and I still keep in touch with many of my former classmates today.... Read 188 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 452

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Sewanhaka Central High School District, NY•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  232 reviews

Alum: The best parts about Sewanhaka are the diversity and the academics. It was great having people from all kinds of cultures in one building because it allowed us to understand, appreciate, and indulge in them through events like International Night which featured performances from student groups as well as school clubs like French Club. The academics of Sewanhaka are good because there's a lot of different career paths you can begin to pursue. For me personally, I enrolled in Instrumentation and Automation and was able to get an introduction into the world of programming and robotics.... Read 232 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A+

• Students 1,620

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Hudson County Schools of Technology School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  279 reviews

Junior: I like County Prep High School because of its diversity and outstanding academic standing. There are students from all over Hudson County enrolled in this school. The teachers are helpful, resourceful, understanding, and great at preparing students for the real world. The counselors are also very active and always there for the students. The administration is always finding ways to prepare students for their careers through college fairs, college counseling, and other events. Overall a great high school to be a part of!... Read 279 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Students 979

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

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

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  117 reviews

Parent: When my daughter entered Columbia secondary school , she was suprised to see this school campus is so small compared to her previous school in Beijing China. Maybe it is in Newyork city,narrow, limit.More time she spent the time in school, more she like everything and enjoy very moment in school. The school has the teachers taking their best efforts help each students in their academy, arts, curriculum etc. The teachers are familiar with every student and have very good relationships with students. My daughter involved in the sports of cross country and annal Broadway musical in school. As the rising seniors ,the AP chemistry teacher and AP calculus gave them a lot of summer time homework which has wonderful explanations about it .I was told that the AP chemistry teacher Pro. Rachel Jun is a recipient of a 2018Blackboard Award! I’m very very glad the school gives the engineering lesson and to my surprise,she equipped an amazing robot full of high technology during the class.... Read 117 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 701

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Jersey City School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  290 reviews

Freshman: I went to Mcnair for 9th grade, when I was in lockdown. Thus, my entire freshman year was virtual, so please remember that. First of all, I want to say that the teachers are awesome. They sincerely care about the students -- not just academically, but also emotionally and socially, and in preparation for college. You also have classmates who are very focused on the college admissions process, which, depending on your worldview, is either good or bad. More me socially, I struggled at first to make friends(virtual), but then I started to reach out more to my classmates. I still keep in touch with some of them(11th grade). One thing though, is that the system is a bit rigid. I was advanced enough to take AP Stats as a freshman, but at first they put me in Geometry. My mother had to send 5 emails to let me take the placement test. Maybe its because its a bigger school compared to my old one, idk... Read 290 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 713

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Valley Stream Central High School District, NY•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  193 reviews

Junior: Overall, Valley Stream South High School is a 4/5 on the star scale. I'm a singles player on the Varsity Badminton team and I get the opportunity to visit other schools. After 2 years of playing matches all over Long Island, I can confidently say that South High School is by far one of the most diverse schools in Nassau. Not only that, but the teachers and administration do their best to ensure safety and regulation of all students here in South. The loss of the 5th star is mainly due to sports. There are plenty of sports clubs that students get the opportunity to participate in which is great! However, we are definitely not the strongest team in the county performance-wise.... Read 193 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Students 1,261

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 27, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  16 reviews

Junior: My experience at EPIC so far is great! I am able to communicate with my teachers and they respond. You have a lot of fun while gaining your academic knowledge!... Read 16 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade A+

• Students 396

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

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

• 8-12

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  346 reviews

Senior: I'm a rising senior, and my experience at Frank Sinatra has been pretty good! I spent many of my weekends and days around the school, making it feel like my second home. What I like about Frank Sinatra is how nice and welcoming everybody is, and how we are all willing to help each other out. What I would like to see change in Frank Sinatra is more of an inclusion of all of the six majors: art, dance, instrumental, vocal, film, and drama into school events and spaces. For example, Frank Sinatra doesn't provide a reliable gallery space for students to showcase their artworks and doesn't create events throughout the school year dedicated to the art majors as much as it does for other majors.... Read 346 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Students 878

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• North Brunswick Township School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.46 out of 5  337 reviews

Senior: Students will most definitely have a hit or miss experience with this school. If you are a good student and get lucky with a good guidance counselor, you’ll excel and be more than ready for college. However, some of the CP level teachers care very little about their job. The school provides many interesting electives but lacks a wide variety of clubs that aren’t dominated by high school cliques. The administration and security is lackluster to say the least. There is not a single security guard that can outrun the average student. Facilities at the school are very good in comparison to other schools. 2 turf fields, a pool, 3 gyms, and a weight room. To have a positive experience at this school, it’s important to get in with the right friend groups and teachers.... Read 337 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Students 1,852

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 21, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  472 reviews

Senior: Dewey is a great high school! The teachers really care about students’ success and happiness, and are always there to help. We’re kept very updated at this school, and I’ve never felt lost. This has been especially helpful lately as I am getting ready to apply to colleges! Something very apparent walking through the halls is Dewey’s pride. The students are constantly coding, dancing, drawing, etc. We’re offered a huge variety of AP Courses along with really unique electives (Computer Science, Robotics, Business Management, Culinary Arts, Pre-Med, Law, Dance, Studio Art, Theatre, etc.) Dewey is great for experiencing different classes, cultures and making friends.... Read 472 reviews

• grade B

• grade A+

• Students 2,261

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  634 reviews

Senior: Susan E. Wagner is a very diverse school, the most diverse school on Staten Island! The academic programs are amazing, as well as the teachers. The performing arts department is also one of the best parts of the school, consistently encouraging students to express themselves in any way that they can! There are many sports teams and various clubs to be a part of, so there are always new ways to be social and meet new people. This school is great at preparing students for college and makes sure that everyone gets an equal chance/curriculum as everyone else. The only things that I would suggest changing are the leaks in the ceilings of the school and the mice problem. When it rains, there are garbage cans on almost every floor catching the water but getting in the way of those passing by. Additionally, people have seen mice around the building in different rooms. Hopefully, there are ways that the school can promote cleanliness and sanitation inside of the building.... Read 634 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Students 3,304

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 28, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.39 out of 5  144 reviews

Senior: I enjoyed the general atmosphere, the engaging trips, and the neat clubs and programs at the school. The teachers in the school do try to push their students to their absolute best so they are readily prepared for their future. Although there are some issues with student-staff engagement and proper management of "out of control" students, the school can be an excellent choice if you are willing to stay focused and encourage yourself to get better and better.... Read 144 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Students 463

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Franklin Township Public School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  680 reviews

Junior: It is a great school. I transferred here three months in my junior year and I was anxious. I felt like this because I wasn't sure how would it be like. But Franklin made me feel welcomed. I adapted very easily. The teachers are great and the nicest. There is always some sort of help provided if needed. It is very inclusive in every single way. Whether it is culture or religion. They have many extracurricular opportunities and a variety of sports. The numerous amounts for electives are also a great thing about this school. You can almost find one within your interest or that could benefit your future. One thing is for sure, attending Franklin will truly assist you and prepare you for the future and college. The guidance counselors are truly great and committed to their jobs. They will always help you find your way and help choose what is best for you. I have never seen a greater school than this. This school almost makes you feel like a family. Franklin High School is a great school!... Read 680 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Students 2,168

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  388 reviews

Junior: Bard was created to combat New York's deeply-segregated school system, so it provides great opportunities for low-income students. Students graduate in four years not only with a high school diploma but also with sixty college credits and an associate's degree in the arts. The literature and humanities programs are very eye-opening and life-changing. In the college program, they offer very interesting college courses such as anthropology, cinemas of South Asia, philosophy in science fiction, and so on. Students often complain about the fast-paced math classes, but the teachers are very kind, caring, and will always offer office hours. It's a small school (I've had only 9 students in one of my classes!) and the students are mostly friendly and welcoming. The school is very welcoming to undocumented students, is LGBTQ-friendly, and accepting of racially and religiously diverse students. The workload is very heavy and will be stressful at times, but you have a great team to help you!... Read 388 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 653

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Valley Stream Central High School District, NY•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  296 reviews

Junior: As a current junior at Valley Stream Central High School, there's been a lot of ups and downs. With such a diverse community, you will always feel at home. Thus, you will likely find others who comforts you. Upon arriving to the school after almost two and a half years at home, I felt welcomed. All the smiles underneath the masks and the elbow handshakes, supports your well-being indefinitely. Though, of course coming back one will feel dissociated after all the time spent at home. Going into the first week of school, assignments over assignments were assigned, ap bio test, ap chem test, and ap calc test all in one day. It was truly tiring being given the workload as it felt like we were living in a virtual reality where everything is suddenly back to normal. But it was certainly not the case. If only we were able to sink into actuality, maybe, just maybe, students wouldn't have to go to sleep at four in the morning over one assignment. Hence, the reality of education is tragic.... Read 296 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 992

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Jersey City School District, NJ•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.54 out of 5  37 reviews

Junior: Infinity Institute offers students a multitude of opportunities to improve academic and social performance. Students and prepped to advance onto higher learning using phenomenal resources complete with modern technology and extraordinary teaching methods. The student body is composed of individuals and staff from various backgrounds, adding to the school's diversity levels. In terms of academics, Infinity Institute has ranked number 1 in New Jersey, earning the title of a Blue Ribbon School. However, due to its small-scale and lack of federal funding, the school fails to offer passionate athletes with proper clubs and sports teams. Aside from academic distinction, the school fails to incorporate extracurricular activities tending to a variety of interests among the student population. Besides the lack of sports and extracurricular activities, the school is phenomenal and applauds to the staff for creating a safe environment for students to peacefully achieve academic greatness.... Read 37 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Students 479

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• West Orange Public Schools, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  421 reviews

Senior: West Orange High School was the academic ground where my two wavering feet landed on. It's an amazingly capable school in which the majority of the students aim at excelling themselves and reach their goals. We are all driven by our own passion to become someone in life and to have a bright future that brings nothing but prosperous outcomes. So, on that side, I really liked it: academically, extracurricular activities, etc. Some things that I would like to change are the facilities' structure, the food they serve at lunch and the quality of certain materials.... Read 421 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Students 2,183

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Piscataway Township School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  547 reviews

Alum: I love all the opportunities this high school provided for me and continues to provide for other students! The technology up to date and on par for the current world, and all students are given free iPads to keep until they graduate. Majority of the staff genuinely seem to enjoy what they do and deeply care for the students. My teachers, especially the advanced placement teachers I’ve had, thoroughly prepared me for college academically, and mentally. The high school is very diverse and there are such a wide range of extracurricular activities, programs, and courses fit for any and every personal interest and planned major for future study. The only reason I gave 4 stars is because of smaller things, like the quality of the food provided and length of the school year. The food is usually not the greatest, just decent at best. The school year is quite long with very little breaks. For example, the winter break(longest break) is just from December 23rd to January 2nd. Barely a week.... Read 547 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Students 2,152

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Highland Park School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.71 out of 5  91 reviews

Alum: HPHS is like a big, dysfunctional, loving family. There are some incredible teachers, there are a lot of average teachers, and there are some terrible teachers. Overall, all the teachers care so deeply about their students and their success. There are countless clubs, sports, and activities to get involved with that teach so much, more than classes sometimes. The school is very diverse and accepting overall, but there are issues with de facto segregation. This school prepares you very well for college.... Read 91 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Students 477

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• New York City Geographic District No. 28, NY•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  83 reviews

Alum: I've spent my entire middle school and high school life here, so it is already an exceptional place for me. Honestly, I was never the best at academics, I often found myself slacking and leaving too much work incomplete. Although this behavior had continued to persist throughout my entire school life, I can't help but give props to my peers, teachers, and other members of the staff that I was surrounded with at the time. They truly helped me a lot to become the person I am today with their extraordinary support, both emotionally and academically. I was successfully able to surpass through many difficult times because of them and I genuinely owe a lot to MELS, which is another place I comfortably call home.... Read 83 reviews

• grade B

• grade A+

• Students 839

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

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

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.66 out of 5  149 reviews

Senior: I had an enjoyable experience at The Queens School of Inquiry and especially found the environment to be very comforting due to the smaller community. The connection that The Queens School of Inquiry has with Queens College was definitely my favorite experience as it gave me more freedom and gave me a glimpse of how college life is. I enjoyed being allowed the opportunity to attend the college library and gym, as well as the ability to to take college level courses. To be given the liberty to explore the college campus made my experience more enjoyable and definitely grew me as an independent individual, both socially as well as academically. However, I felt that the teachers at The Queens School of Inquiry could have been better when it came to the science department as I repeatedly had to teach myself concepts that were ill explained.... Read 149 reviews

• grade B

• grade A+

• Students 609

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.54 out of 5  199 reviews

Senior: At NYC Museum High School, I made many new friends easily through the school's great icebreaking systems. Almost all of the teachers are very friendly and give reasonable work loads. The school provides the proper education that I need in order to be prepared for college. At Museum, I feel safe and welcome, and I feel that my diverse friend group feels the same. Around the school are many places to eat, so rest assured, you won't starve! Lastly, the extracurricular programs are top notch. One in particular is the Hudson River Community Sailing Program. I have been with the sailing program for my 4 years at Museum, and I always highly recommend joining it. It has given me my first job as well as learning the basics of sailing and safe powerboating. Overall, Museum school is a great school in the welcoming neighborhood of Chelsea, Manhattan. I am a rising senior at this school, and my friends and I will make sure to be welcoming the new freshmen to come!... Read 199 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Students 439

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1