2024 Niche Standout High Schools in New Jersey

• Jersey City School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  302 reviews

Alum: I graduated class of 2023, and I can say hands down that McNair has been one of the most formative experiences I have had in my life. I have learned so much thanks to the teachers and friends that have supported me. There is truly a very collaborative environment here, and everyone is supported every step along the way. There are plenty of opportunities regarding AP courses and extracurriculars. I was part of the Epsilon Math Team, Mock Trial, and various honor societies, and I founded Mathemagicians Tutoring which connects McNair students to Cordero middle schoolers and offers free math tutoring. I highly recommend this school, it will change your life.... Read 302 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 704

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Free or reduced lunch 41%

• Newark Public School District, NJ•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.87 out of 5  401 reviews

Alum: My experience at Science Park High School was a memorable one. I spent the full four years at Science and would not have wanted it another way. Through the pandemic and many challenges, the staff and administration always did their very best to provide the best education for us. I would say one of the best parts of my experience would be meeting the new people and staff every year. My senior year, I met many people and connected with many teachers I hope to stay in contact throughout my college years. As for worst part, I do not think there is any I could think of. Every school is different and not perfect, therefore I do not think I could name a "worst experience". The only change I would like to see is the growth from all the students and teachers there. Many students are able to connect with the staff, which is a wonderful change to see.... Read 401 reviews

• grade A

• Students 918

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Free or reduced lunch 73%

• Jersey City School District, NJ•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.52 out of 5  42 reviews

Alum: The experience was good overall, the only downside was that the school was a smaller school. Due to this, there was less opportunities for extra curriculars such as sports. In the future, I would like to see the building of the school change to provide a proper gym and would also help the classroom size as well.... Read 42 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 485

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Free or reduced lunch 60%

• Hudson County Schools of Technology School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  285 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 285 reviews

• grade A

• Students 954

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Free or reduced lunch 55%

• Newark Public School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  152 reviews

Junior: My overall experience with Technology High School has been amazing. It is one of the best schools in Newark, and I have had the opportunity to take college credits as a high school student. The teachers are very knowledgeable and helpful, and they really care about their students’ success. The classes are challenging but rewarding at the same time, which makes it an enjoyable learning environment for everyone involved. My favorite part of attending this school is that there are so many extracurricular activities available to join; from robotics teams to sports clubs, there's something for everyone! The worst part about attending Technology High School would be its lack of resources when it comes to technology-related equipment or software programs needed for certain projects or assignments; however this issue could easily be solved if more funding was allocated towards such things by either local businesses or even government grants/scholarships.... Read 152 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 685

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Free or reduced lunch 86%

• Jersey City School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.17 out of 5  81 reviews

Alum: Attending Liberty High School was a great experience, as it offered an extremely strong academic program that allowed students to challenge themselves, grow, and be prepared for college. The school provided numerous vigorous AP courses and dual enrollment college courses, which gave students a true feel and experience of what college life is like. Additionally, there are a plethora of after-school clubs, allowing students to explore their interests and find where they belong. Some of these clubs included Model United Nations, Key Club, Student Council, National Honor Society, and many more. Like any school, to make your high school experience memorable, you must get involved.... Read 81 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 210

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Free or reduced lunch 63%

• Essex County Vocational Technical School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  146 reviews

Junior: I know not most high school students like high school, but my overall experience was great! The teachers were very understanding and did well with teaching. The school offers lots of programs for any major you're interested in. They care about racial injustice inside and outside of the school. AND the lunch is great. Very accommodating for vegetarian and vegan students as well.... Read 146 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,193

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Free or reduced lunch 68%

• Elizabeth Public Schools, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  397 reviews

Sophomore: Elizabeth High School is an excellent school in terms of its academics. It has great teachers and an overall great environment for learning. However, I do see a lot of issues regarding uniforms where they are super strict with it and the students can't see to follow it. An example would be the first weeks of school where they would put black tape over any other color on your shoe that isn't black. Other than uniforms, the students are great and there's zero to no bullying reported in the school which gives students more of the idea of safety compared to other schools in the city.... Read 397 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,287

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Free or reduced lunch 59%

• Union City School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  15 reviews

Senior: This school is heavily focused on biology and chemistry research and students going into those majors will excel here. There is not a lot of physics and engineering involvement at our school so a student in those majors struggle to find programs to do. The clubs here are also not very good and the system of clubs is poorly done. However, our academics and classes are excellent, especially in math and science.... Read 15 reviews

• grade A

• Students 684

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Free or reduced lunch 80%

• Essex County Vocational Technical School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  97 reviews

Senior: Newark Tech High School is the home of the experiences, hard-work and success. I have grow mentality and professionally in this High School. I have successfully conquered my personal goals and surpass my own expectations. I am proud of my school and I am proud of being a Terrier for the rest of my life.... Read 97 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 570

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Free or reduced lunch 79%

• Passsaic County Vocational School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  1,090 reviews

Senior: Overall my experience is pretty fun. Met a couple new friends throughout my years in PCTI overall. I wish there were opportunities for other artists to accessible. Such as having a after school program for art (art club). Also wish there would’ve been a AP Art or Studio Art to prepare students who want to take art as their career. For example I’m a student who wants to take my hobby and turning into a outcome of money. I would’ve loved to take the class and i’m sure other students would like it. The staff is nice, some are mean but overall most of them are pretty chill and direct with us!... Read 1,090 reviews

• grade A

• Students 3,404

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Free or reduced lunch 60%

• Englewood Public School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.48 out of 5  345 reviews

Senior: It has been a pleasant experience throughout my three years in the school so far. The most of the teachers are nice, and once you are settled in, the school feels like one big family. A community that helps one another. The school has five majors: Pre-Engineering, Finance, Bio-med, Law and Public Safety, and Information Systems. Although this all sounds great, the only three majors worth going into are Engineering, Law and Public Safety, and Bio-med. All the other majors are lacking, whether it be in teachers or the content being taught. The programs still need development.... Read 345 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 1,003

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Free or reduced lunch 52%

• Carteret Public School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.47 out of 5  200 reviews

Senior: My experience at carteret high school has been smooth and I have not had any major problems. I’ve been attending since my sophomore year, so I have only been to this school in person for two years due to Covid. While I have had a good time with teachers and fellow peers, I have acknowledged certain issues. To start, many teachers prioritize student-teacher relationships rather than academics. I’ve seen teachers favor students who typically do their work late yet they still receive full marks. I also can attest to the fact that the schools curriculum is not as advanced as the schools I grew up going to. Many of the students are behind in their work courses and don’t know basic skills that are taught typically in middle school. On top of that, the guidance office is typically unorganized. However, in terms of social issues, there are no severe cases of bullying or physical fights. My experience overall has not been a bad one, but the school can severely improve.... Read 200 reviews

• grade B

• Students 1,009

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Free or reduced lunch 64%

• Mays Landing, NJ•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  286 reviews

Alum: As a vocational school, Atlantic County Institute of Technology provides students with a very unique opportunity to get a head start in their future careers and have a more varied high school experience. The school provides a wide variety of clubs and activities while the class schedule functions very similarly to how a college schedule works, preparing students well for the college environment and encouraging work experience. Many teachers are well experienced in the field they teach and provided valuable details about the work environment. Some adjunct teachers show a lack of teaching education with disorganized or off-topic lessons. Their classes would benefit from more standardization. As a county-wide school, the student body tends to lack school identity and pride, although many school events such as pep rallies have been organized to help unite students and build morale. Overall, the school can provide a unique and beneficial high school experience.... Read 286 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 1,751

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Free or reduced lunch 53%

• Lodi School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.44 out of 5  185 reviews

Senior: The teachers are great! They are patient and caring. The school has a lot of clubs that a student can get involved in, including the Red Cross. They have a lot of volunteer clubs that will improve your college application. The school also has a drama club that forms a play that is acted out in our auditorium. They have bands that play all sorts of instruments. Every game, the cheerleaders, band, and players join each other on the field for a great show. The guidance counselors help you throughout the college and make it really easy to apply. The whole staff makes students feel at home. They also have all kinds of sport that you can join, including soccer, football, volleyball, and so much more. The players regularly play with teams from ner towns and other students are always there to support. With that being said, I can assure you that you will have the time of your life at Lodi High School. As an introvert I can definitely say that Lodi High School built my confidence.... Read 185 reviews

• grade B

• Students 916

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Free or reduced lunch 42%

• Newark Public School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  198 reviews

Junior: Arts High School is a very diverse school. It included students from all part of the world who live in Newark. It is the nations first Arts School in the nation. The teachers are very caring and the staff interact with each other like they are family. This school is really great for those who want to expand in their arts. Arts teaches students the art of working and performing. Arts is a spacious school and offers many in school programs. However, in order to attend Arts High School you must audition and get accepted no matter what you audition for.... Read 198 reviews

• grade B

• Students 601

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Free or reduced lunch 78%

• Camden County Technical School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.48 out of 5  242 reviews

Senior: CCTS is an excellent school, the teachers and administrators care a lot about the students. CCTS is also a great school to attend to figure out what you’re going to do with your future. Counselors are very involved with helping you make sure you’re on the right path that is comfortable to you. This school is a good place to test the waters for different career opportunities before deciding what you want to do upon graduation.... Read 242 reviews

• grade B

• Students 1,459

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Free or reduced lunch 34%

• Newark, NJ•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  226 reviews

Alum: The best part of my experience was the academic opportunity that the school provided. I was allowed to take 11 AP classes throughout my time and explore various rigorous subject fields. I loved being able to follow my career goal through the school's support for education and extra curricular participation in theater and the arts. I was also able to get an extremely helpful internship through the school as well. I would like to see the school start to focus more on enabling greater social interaction between students and start to choose new ways of student discipline. For example, I feel that systems like a "point system" are counter productive for students at the high school level.... Read 226 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 6,287

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Free or reduced lunch 85%

• Bayonne School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.54 out of 5  308 reviews

Junior: Bayonne High school is a transformative phase in one’s life, filled with countless opportunities for growth, learning, and self-discovery. It is a unique chapter that holds the potential to shape individuals into the best versions of themselves. Bayonne High offers a diverse community of students from various backgrounds, fostering a rich tapestry of perspectives and cultures. Interacting with a wide range of individuals allows for personal growth, empathy, and the development of lifelong friendships. While no experience is without its challenges, high school presents an abundance of opportunities for personal and intellectual growth. Embrace the journey, take advantage of the resources available, and make the most of this transformative phase. High school is an experience that can set the stage for a bright future and create memories that will be cherished for a lifetime. Personally I don’t see how I can dislike Bayonne High School, it going great so far.... Read 308 reviews

• grade B

• Students 2,539

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Free or reduced lunch 54%

• Newark Public School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  71 reviews

Alum: When I was a freshman enrolling in the school, I was extremely nervous. The thought of not making friends and having trouble communicating with teachers was daunting. However, when I joined the Summer Bridge program that they host for incoming freshmen, I found myself befriending others quickly. Throughout my journey at Bard, I was able to see the diverse culture and appreciation for learning that they had. Despite the school being small, our voices surely were anything but that. Bard High School held events that allowed the students to present their interests such as anime, language, fashion walks, haunted houses, and so much more. It was such a blessing to be part of it all and in the meantime get to be a part of the college experience during my junior and senior years. The professors encourage students to think outside the box and voice their opinions. We learned to connect these thoughts to not only the current world but our lives. Bard helped me develop myself.... Read 71 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 381

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Free or reduced lunch 76%

• Hoboken Public School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  71 reviews

Parent: Hoboken High School is more than a school, it's a family. The faculty and staff truly care for the students and invest both in their education and preparing them for their next steps in life. Hoboken High School is inclusive to all and students are encouraged by teachers and fellow students to get involved in extracurricular activities outside of the classroom. The academic program offerings are impressive and the guidance department is outstanding. Hoboken High is a very special place and I am proud that my child is a Redwing!... Read 71 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 468

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Free or reduced lunch 71%

• Linden Public School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.54 out of 5  312 reviews

Junior: My experience has been challenging and nice overall since I have been able to create such fantastic memories, I have been able to connect with people from many backgrounds and countries. I have been able to join many courses and step out of my comfort zone since these classes have made my work harder. As a result of this, now I have more confidence in myself and I am able to be more open with others. At first it was hard since I was really shy and one thing that was really hard for me was the language barrier since english was my second language so still learning the language and being in this honor courses was a big challenge, but at the end I was able to learn from my mistakes and take more risks because if you risk nothing you gain nothing.... Read 312 reviews

• grade B

• Students 1,743

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Free or reduced lunch 45%

• Greater Egg Harbor Regional High School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  257 reviews

Senior: I like that Oakcrest has a lot of good teachers, you can get close to the teachers and they are really easy to talk to. Oakcrest has a lot of school spirit! There are a lot of activities and clubs to join too. They make it easy for students here to get involved.... Read 257 reviews

• grade B

• Students 952

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Free or reduced lunch 53%

• Clifton Public School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.47 out of 5  534 reviews

Senior: Clifton High School is a good place to complete your high school education. Although the building itself is very large and sometimes complicated to navigate through, there is an endless amount of classes that a student can take. Almost every class has an AP or Honors curriculum, and students can get creative in the amount of art, theatre, and music classes. There are also several clubs within the school. You name it, they probably have it! Drama Club, Mock Trial, Art Club, Choir, and Band are just a few of the amazing extracurriculars that they have to offer. The lunchroom is also quite nice. There are lots of delicious and healthy food options, and the variety never keeps you bored when choosing something to eat. However, the student support could be improved. There are often fights within the school, and the counselors/staff do not do enough in order to end the behavior. They give detentions when that in fact does not solve the problem. The school should help rather than punish.... Read 534 reviews

• grade B

• Students 2,962

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Free or reduced lunch 47%

• Woodbury City Public School District, NJ•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  67 reviews

Alum: Going to Woodbury Junior- Senior High school will always be one of the best years of High school I could ever ask for ! The teachers always want to be see you strive for greatness and especially the family bond you have with students there. While attending Woodbury High my senior year, we’ve four state titles in one school year and that’s the first to ever do it in New Jersey history. None of that would’ve happened without the amazing coaches that Woodbury has. Coaches at Woodbury put their heart and soul into winning and making the kids have fun and win championships. Something I would recommend if you’re looking for the right High School for you or your child to attend I would really Recommend Woodbury. Woodbury, will guarantee help you or your child choose a direct career path before they send you off in the real world your senior year of High School. They want to make sure all there students have a successful future ahead of them. That’s why I forever will love Woodbury Jr Sr High.... Read 67 reviews

• grade B

• Students 823

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Free or reduced lunch 59%