2023 Niche Standout Schools in America

• Philadelphia City School District, PA•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  263 reviews

Senior: Masterman's school community is very close knit and being a small school everyone knows each other. Currently there seems to be a lot of issues that has risen due to the COVID pandemic such as a shortage of teachers as well as the lack of resource. Although there are little variety in the sports and clubs at Masterman, club are fairly easy to startup if you were passionate about something. Masterman definitely prepares their students for college as well as teaching students how to handle stress.... Read 263 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,204

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Free or reduced lunch 100%

• Steubenville City School District, OH•

• PK, K-4

• •
  Rating 1 out of 5  2 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 305

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Free or reduced lunch 98%

• Morehouse Parish Public Schools, LA•

• PK, K-10

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  2 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 349

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Free or reduced lunch 52%

• 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+

• Students 1,270

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Free or reduced lunch 54%

• Steubenville City School District, OH•

• PK, K-4

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: Can’t say enough about how incredible this school and district is as a whole. Everything, from teachers to supporting staff, curriculum, policies, diversity & safety. It’s a small town with a huge community! I’ve been able to compare Steubenville City schools to a top ranked school in Pa and I have never been so impressed! Pugliese West is ranked top 5 in the entire State of Ohio, along with another Steubenville city elementary school, Wells Academy! I’m proud to send my children here and amazed everyday by what they learn and accomplish!... Read 1 review

• grade A minus

• Students 464

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Free or reduced lunch 94%

• 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+

• Students 5,943

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Free or reduced lunch 61%

• Steubenville City School District, OH•

• PK, K-4

• grade A minus

• Students 336

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Free or reduced lunch 99%

• Stamford, CT•

• Public School•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  6 reviews

Parent: My daughter has shown drastic improvement from Pre-K to Kindergarten. She is reading above other kids her age that aren't in Stamford Charter School. My brother is also another student there and he scored a perfect score on the state test this past spring. The faculty is amazing and always supportive. They take their children's learning very serious, which as a parent, is crucial.... Read 6 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 391

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Free or reduced lunch 62%

• Philadelphia City School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  1,391 reviews

Sophomore: Starting from freshman year, I was greatly amazed by the school spirit, culture, and the dedication from students, teachers and families. It is a school that one must be tested into so academics is very important. However, when you arrive at the school, you will recognize that the teachers are super supportive and encourages all students to do their best and do what they like. There are dozens of clubs and activities throughout the year to incorporate everyone into the school's traditions. The school values musicians and talented students greatly that the large network of alumni supported the construction of a new building for STEM classroom, an theater/auditorium just for the musicians to perform and many more. The environment in classrooms are friendly, opened to discussion and engaging. Almost every student is dedicated to their education and so are teachers who dedicate their time to help students. If you have the opportunity to attend or visit, Central High School welcomes you!... Read 1,391 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,416

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Free or reduced lunch 100%

• Terrebonne Parish Public Schools, LA•

• PK, K-6

• grade A

• Students 313

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Free or reduced lunch 58%

• Long Beach Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  486 reviews

Parent: After sending our son for a year, we are happy to tell that the school is filled with wonderful people. CAMS students are kind, friendly, supporting each other across grades, and caring younger students very well. Parents are very nice and supportive, too. Most teachers have decent backgrounds/careers. It's easy to communicate with teachers and school staffs. Minimal donation/volunteer requests. The school is for students like Engineering, Computer Science, or Bio-technology. Required courses include manufacturing with CNC machines & industrial 3D printers, computer programming, CAD designing, and college level Bio-tech curriculum. Located on CSUDH campus, junior/senior students may take the college classes at reasonable cost. More than 50 clubs to choose from. 1/5 students join FRC or VEX Robotics teams. While sports teams are limited, good players compete at tournaments. Dancing teams actively perform at various school events. A lot of fun and exciting opportunities at CAMS!... Read 486 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 669

• Student-teacher ratio 27:1

• Free or reduced lunch 44%

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

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 565

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Free or reduced lunch 79%

• Virginia Beach City Public Schools, VA•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 433

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Free or reduced lunch 64%

• Paterson Public School District, NJ•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  5 reviews

Middle School Student: I am currently a 7th grader at School 28 and have been a student since 4th grade. Me being at the same school with most of the same classmates for that long makes me so sad that I have to leave it after 8th grade. I've made some great memories there and have friends that I consider family. Our whole class is basically one big family. School 28 is a school for "gifted" kids so our school obviously has pretty good academics and you need to have good grades every year, but it's pretty easy if you do your work and pay attention. However, you will probably be behind in history once you go to high school because our social studies teacher is really bad at her job and barely teaches us basic history. We also have a Science Olympiad team, National Junior Honors Society, and a National History Day competition as well. However, my experience might not be like yours but I definitely recommend you to go to School 28.... Read 5 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 466

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Free or reduced lunch 58%

• St. Landry Parish Public Schools, LA•

• PK, K-5

• grade B+

• Students 230

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Free or reduced lunch 66%

• New York City Geographic District No. 20, NY•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  8 reviews

Alum: McAuliffe was an experience. I attended ASR (Academy of Scientific Research) and let me say this, yes, what the teachers taught me have gotten me to transition easier into high school. I can't say much about the teachers. They taught well, but one of my friends had a bad experience with them so I may be biased in that category. The students are friendly and they host an after school program as well as a basketball team, but I can't say they have a wide variety of clubs. The classes moe around as a group so you can get used to moving around to different classrooms and teachers. I loved attending this school and I really did enjoy most of it. Please consider attending their open house if you want to go to this school. It helps with getting around.... Read 8 reviews

• grade A

• Students 990

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Free or reduced lunch 68%

• New York, NY•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  17 reviews

Senior: KIPP STAR encouraged me to be a leader when no one was watching. 5th-8th grade I competed with myself as I fought away bad habits to build better ones. I progressed from being a boy who didn't believe in his own potential, to understanding that I can really create the life I desire for myself and for those around me. My years at KIPP STAR encouraged me to dig deep and find my strengths because they make me who I truly am. I grew confidence that fostered a drive to be a better me. As a middle schooler, that meant focusing on what's right and analyzing what was wrong; it meant being mindful so I wouldn't allow the obstacles of life defeat me in my conquests; it meant influencing others to push themselves pass expectations that deemed to be mediocre. KIPP STAR was a very crucial blossoming point in my life because it instilled in me a mindset that could not be fixed but instead be improved upon by involving myself in challenging situations that demanded the best from me. I am thankful!... Read 17 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 828

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Free or reduced lunch 86%

• St. Louis City School District, MO•

• PK, K-5

• grade B+

• Students 258

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Free or reduced lunch 99%

• Fresno Unified School District, CA•

• 2-6

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  3 reviews

High School Sophomore: They have patience and have confidence in what I do.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 714

• Student-teacher ratio 55:1

• Free or reduced lunch 65%

• St. Louis City School District, MO•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: This school has surpassed every expectation. It's a wonderful, community environment with top-notch teachers and staff. I can't believe how much my daughter has learned in Pre-K--was reading by November. I can't imagine a better school.... Read 2 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 273

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Free or reduced lunch 99%

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  209 reviews

Sophomore: I'm a current student at QHSS and I do like the school. Everyone, from the students to the teachers, are all extremely nice and caring towards people in the school. The major problems lie in the fact we are borrowing a building from York College. I mean for one of the highest ranked high schools in the state and even the country, we really don't have a good budget. All our classes are mainly on one floor that's a small rectangle. Our cafeteria is the size of a classroom so many people eat outside or in the college's cafeteria when it's cold. We have to borrow the college's gym, which is one block away from the main building. We don't have an auditorium and the clubs aren't that good. But since we have only 500 students, this is all manageable.... Read 209 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 512

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Free or reduced lunch 62%

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

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  287 reviews

Alum: The Brooklyn Latin School is a great school for academics since it offers the rigorous IB program. The teachers at the school are passionate and kind, they also write great recommendation letters for college. The school has a close-knit community due to its smaller class population and it is generally easy to find your community at the school. This school will push you to participate in group discussions and public speaking which is a great way for students to step out of their comfort zone. One setback of the school is that the options for extracurriculars are not so diverse therefore students often look for extracurricular offers outside of the school. Overall, this is an excellent school for students who are dedicated to academics.... Read 287 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 809

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Free or reduced lunch 67%

• New York City Geographic District No. 4, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  778 reviews

Sophomore: I think this school is overall a decent High School. They offer many resources for students to succeed, such as ASR( Advanced Science Research), Mandatory SAT prep, and tutoring. The people there are also very positive in the school community. I have met many friendly people there who are willing to help me when I need it. But I wish there were more creative programs in the school. There are many existing clubs, but I think the uniqueness of the clubs needs to upgrade. The teachers are also very interested in their work and want to help students succeed. One downside of this school is that it is located in a poorly maintained neighborhood. Or that means there are many accidents that have occurred near the school building. There is also very little transportation near the building. You would have to walk quite a bit to get to the train or bus.... Read 778 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,633

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Free or reduced lunch 82%

• Franklin, LA•

• Public School•

• PK, K-10

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

• grade A+

• Students 421

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Free or reduced lunch 52%

• Virginia Beach City Public Schools, VA•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 537

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Free or reduced lunch 84%