25. Harborfields High School
Location: Greenlawn
Academics: A+
Student culture & diversity: B-
Teachers: A+
Resources & facilities: A
"The teachers overall are passionate about what they do," one senior said. "They are very knowledgeable about their specific topics. They always make themselves available, before, during, and after school for any student that needs extra help. They often have after school clubs for those students interested to learn even more."
24. Brooklyn Technical High School
Location: Brooklyn
Academics: A+
Student culture & diversity: A
Teachers: A+
Resources & facilities: B-
"Brooklyn Tech is a challenging school, but it offers many different opportunities," one senior said. "The school is huge, but that means you can find people who you like. The classes are tough, but you learn a lot. There are many clubs which means endless experiences are available at your fingertips. Even when the work is overwhelming, I still learn to have fun with my friends. Tech taught me that helping the community is important."
23. Bronxville High School
Location: Bronxville
Academics: A+
Student culture & diversity: C-
Teachers: A+
Resources & facilities: A
"The academic environment is competitive, but allows most kids to thrive," one senior reported. "Almost all teachers are stellar, though there are the occasional exceptions. The school is extremely small, be warned, with about 125 kids per grade."
22. Ardsley High School
Location: Ardsley
Academics: A+
Student culture & diversity: B-
Teachers: A+
Resources & facilities: A+
"A majority of teachers at the school are incredibly knowledgeable and are often available for help outside of class," one student said. "They give great lectures and make sure that the information has really sunk into the students' minds before moving forward."
21. Bard High School Early College Manhattan
Location: New York City
Academics: A+
Student culture & diversity: A
Teachers: A+
Resources & facilities: C+
"It is the type of school where you are challenged to step outside of your comfort zone and discuss these incredible topics that you wouldn't do in any other school," a senior explained.
The high caliber of teachers also enrich the school's academics. "They all have either practiced in their fields or have a Master's," one junior said. "They are people who have had a lot of real-world experiences and teach to share their wholesome knowledge. They are very approachable and will work with students until they feel confident."
20. Brighton High School
Location: Rochester
Academics: A+
Student culture & diversity: B+
Teachers: A+
Resources & facilities: A
"The teachers spend lots of time to ensure that their students understand the material, a wide range of AP courses are offered, which a large number of students take advantage of, and the curriculum overall prepares students well for college," one student commented.
19. Syosset Senior High School
Location: Syosset
Academics: A+
Student culture & diversity: B-
Teachers: A+
Resources & facilities: A+
"Most teachers are available for students if they are struggling, and offer extra help mornings and after school," one junior noted. "Most teachers are approachable and friendly, and I wouldn't hesitate to ask for help if I needed it."
Students also tout the barrage of extracurriculars available. "We have probably about 100 clubs that all are very visible and are available for students to join," one junior said.
18. Baccalaureate School for Global Education
Location: Queens
Academics: A+
Student culture & diversity: A+
Teachers: A+
Resources & facilities: B
"The International Baccalaureate program that the school offers in comparison to AP, in my opinion, was vastly more beneficial in the long run," one graduate said. "It bolstered my academic skills and range of knowledge.
"Teachers did not stop teaching once the curriculum was up and instead taught students larger-scale important information such as loans, creating good credit, and much more," they continued. "I truly felt prepared for life after high school at BSGE."
17. Pittsford Sutherland High School
Location: Pittsford
Academics: A+
Student culture & diversity: C+
Teachers: A+
Resources & facilities: A
"It's small enough that you know everyone in your class, but big enough that there is some diversity in each class," one recent alum commented. "Generally the teachers care about your success. Also, there is a wide variety of classes so you can take the class that has the perfect level of rigor for you."
16. Paul D. Schreiber Senior High School
Location: Port Washington
Academics: A+
Student culture & diversity: B+
Teachers: A+
Resources & facilities: A
"I feel prepared for college, the majority of the staff is well qualified, and there are many interests to pursue here," one senior said.
The school provides a plethora of academic opportunities, so students can dig into whatever piques their interest. "We have many AP courses, as well as honors and advanced classes," one student said. "On top of that, we have tons of elective choices such as mechanics, criminal law, marketing, business law, etc. The list goes on and on."
15. Pittsford-Mendon High School
Location: Pittsford Town
Academics: A+
Student culture & diversity: B-
Teachers: A+
Resources & facilities: A
"The culture at Mendon allows each student to pick their best options and succeed, provided they do the work," one senior noted. "At times, the workload can seem to be too much when trying to balance it with the extracurricular activities we do, but the teachers are in large part understanding and amicable. They truly do care about the success and welfare of their students."
14. High School Math Science & Engineering at The City College of New York
Location: Manhattan
Academics: A+
Student culture & diversity: A+
Teachers: A+
Resources & facilities: B+
"I enjoyed the close knit community vibe it had because it allowed for me to know my instructors/staff, and for me to build strong friendships," one alum reported. "Students who attend this school are known to have drive, make nerdy jokes, and have an open outlook on life.
"The school helped me see and get to places I couldn't believe and had never been," they added. "Whether it was traveling with the debate team, or finding my niche in studying, it was great."
13. Byram Hills High School
Location: Armonk
Academics: A+
Student culture & diversity: C-
Teachers: A+
Resources & facilities: A+
"Teachers are very helpful and knowledgeable for the most part," one senior said. "The teachers who instruct AP courses are particularly strict about the coursework, which makes them challenging, but also a great learning experience."
12. Blind Brook High School
Location: Rye Brook
Academics: A+
Student culture & diversity: C-
Teachers: A+
Resources & facilities: A+
"Classes are engaging, interesting and challenging," one student said. "Teachers are always available for help and do their best to create exciting lessons and get to know students. There is a variety of classes available to take, including AP courses.
"The scheduling process is relatively easy, and guidance counselors are helpful," they continued. "The workload is manageable; however, there is a good amount of work given to students and it is challenging."
11. High School of American Studies at Lehman College
Location: The Bronx
Academics: A+
Student culture & diversity: B+
Teachers: A+
Resources & facilities: A-
"Lehman College is part of the high school campus, and we are able to use the facilities of the college, which are top-notch," one student said.
The high school students don't get lost in the college environment, however. "Since the school has a small enrollment, the teachers are able to give us individual attention and really get to know us," another student explained.
10. Scarsdale Senior High School
Location: Scarsdale
Academics: A+
Student culture & diversity: C+
Teachers: A+
Resources & facilities: A
"The workload is tough for the kids, but it also prepares them very well for the future and their continuing education when they move on to colleges and universities," a parent said.
Students stay involved outside of the classroom as well. "There are a lot of clubs that want you to join," one recent grad reported. "There is always something to do if you look for it."
9. Horace Greeley High School
Location: Chappaqua
Academics: A+
Student culture & diversity: C
Teachers: A+
Resources & facilities: A+
"The academics are the best part about Greeley. The teachers want you to do well and push you to try harder,"one alum said. "There is a large workload, but most students keep up with the work."
8. Bard High School Early College Queens
Location: Queens
Academics: A+
Student culture & diversity: A+
Teachers: A+
Resources & facilities: A-
"This school taught me how to think like an independent individual and read between the lines," one graduate commented.
The instructors are a big part of Bard's positive learning environment. "The teachers really care about the students; they take us very seriously and really respect our ideas," a junior said.
7. Townsend Harris High School
Location: Queens
Academics: A+
Student culture & diversity: A+
Teachers: A+
Resources & facilities: B+
"There are extracurricular activities that everyone can enjoy from sports clubs, to coding, to community service, or even religious clubs," one recent alum said. The extracurriculars "are what give a sense of community and belonging in a school."
6. Bronx High School of Science
Location: The Bronx
Academics: A+
Student culture & diversity: A-
Teachers: A+
Resources & facilities: B
"The student body is diverse as well as the range of extracurriculars, there are many AP classes, and most importantly, there isn't the sense that everyone is competing with each other," one senior said. "Although it's assumed the Bronx Science student body is ambitious and competitive, we don't seem to show it."
5. Great Neck South High School
Location: Great Neck
Academics: A+
Student culture & diversity: A-
Teachers: A+
Resources & facilities: A+
"There are some teachers who know to make the material engaging and are willing to help you no matter what," one student said. Another alum noted, "The teachers prepare the students for exams and they also prepare them for college. They make the students take more responsibility over their work and grades."
4. Rye High School
Location: Rye
Academics: A+
Student culture & diversity: C+
Teachers: A+
Resources & facilities: A
"Very challenging. More then 85% of students take one or more AP exams before graduation and over 70% get 4 or 5s," one alum said. "Lots of work, but most teachers are good and it's usually enjoyable."
3. Jericho Senior High School
Location: Jericho
Academics: A+
Student culture & diversity: B+
Teachers: A+
Resources & facilities: A+
"Students are offered a variety of AP courses to study, and are provided with help in any area of study in which they struggle," one alum said. Another recent grad also noted that "extra help is available for the strongest students to the weakest. Each teacher offers before or after classes for review and extra help. The dedication to student success is impressive."
2. Staten Island Technical High School
Location: Staten Island
Academics: A+
Student culture & diversity: A
Teachers: A+
Resources & facilities: B+
"This school is not only an exciting and stimulating environment, but is full of many opportunities, which lead the students closer to preparing for college and the future," one sophomore explained. "Classes are interactive and exciting, and the supply of iPads helps to increase the efficiency and comfort of note taking."
1. Stuyvesant High School
Location: New York City
Academics: A+
Student culture & diversity: A
Teachers: A+
Resources & facilities: A-
"I really love the amount of choices the school gives," a recent alum said. "There are so many unique classes, like New York City history, Jewish history, organic chemistry, science fiction, Asian American literature, and women's voices."
Another alum noted that "it's really a great training for the real world, and I would definitely spend my four high school years here again given the choice."
