Best Public High Schools in New York (2026)

The 9 NYC Specialized High Schools

The nine SHSAT schools are: Stuyvesant, Bronx High School of Science, Brooklyn Technical, Staten Island Technical, High School for Mathematics Science and Engineering at CCNY, Queens High School for Sciences at York College, High School for American Studies at Lehman College, Brooklyn Latin School, and the Bard High School Early College (two campuses). LaGuardia High School uses a separate audition-based process. All nine are tuition-free NYC public schools.

The Diversity Controversy

Black and Hispanic students — who make up approximately 70% of overall NYC public school enrollment — represent only about 5–8% of Stuyvesant's entering class in a typical year. This disparity has generated persistent calls to reform or eliminate SHSAT-only admissions. Multiple NYC mayors have proposed replacing the SHSAT with a holistic admissions system; each attempt has been defeated by state legislation (passed in 1971 and amended) that explicitly requires the SHSAT as the sole criterion for these specific schools. Parents and alumni of the schools have vigorously resisted changes, arguing that merit-based admission protects academic culture.

Test Prep and the SHSAT Economy

A substantial industry of SHSAT test prep tutoring — ranging from free NYC DOE programs to $5,000–$10,000 private courses — has grown up around specialized school admissions. Families who can afford intensive preparation have a structural advantage. Multiple peer-reviewed studies have found that private SHSAT preparation significantly increases scores, contributing to the socioeconomic stratification visible in the student bodies of the specialized schools. Free SHSAT prep programs through NYC DOE's DREAM program and community organizations are available but have limited capacity.

Nassau County, Long Island

Great Neck, Jericho, Syosset, Manhasset, and Herricks are Nassau County's standout districts. The county's proximity to New York City (30–40 minutes by LIRR) has concentrated affluent families with finance, law, and medicine backgrounds. Per-pupil spending in these districts typically runs $25,000–$32,000.

Westchester County

Scarsdale, Blind Brook (Rye Brook), Pelham, Harrison, and Ardsley are top Westchester performers. Scarsdale's unique narrative-evaluation grading system and ~$31,000 per-pupil spending make it the most distinctive non-specialized public school in the state.

What These Districts Have in Common

High per-pupil spending ($25K–$32K/student), low student-teacher ratios (10:1–13:1), college-educated parent communities, and proximity to Manhattan's professional job market. Students in these districts have access to AP course breadths comparable to selective prep schools.

The Cost of Entry

Admission to these districts requires purchasing a home. Median home prices in Scarsdale exceed $1.5M; in Great Neck and Jericho, median prices run $800K–$1.2M. The 'free' public school comes with substantial implicit tuition in the form of property taxes and home prices.

Selective vs. Open Enrollment

Rankings #1–6 on this list are all SHSAT-based selective schools. Comparing them to open-enrollment schools like Scarsdale (#7) isn't an apples-to-apples comparison. Stuyvesant's 99% graduation rate reflects that essentially all admitted students are academically prepared to succeed — not necessarily that Stuyvesant 'teaches better' than a school ranked #20.

AP Course Count vs. AP Pass Rate

AP course count is a meaningful breadth indicator. But exam pass rates (3+) matter more for college credit. The NYC specialized schools post AP pass rates of 80–90%+; top Long Island schools typically run 75–85%. Schools offering 30 AP courses with 50% pass rates are less impressive than schools offering 20 AP courses with 85% pass rates.

Student-Teacher Ratio in NYC

The NYC specialized schools show ratios of 13:1–18:1, which looks less favorable than small Westchester schools at 10:1–12:1. However, NYC's larger enrollments mean more course offerings and more specialized teachers. Class size — not just ratio — determines instructional quality.

What is the SHSAT and how does it determine admission to NYC specialized high schools?

The Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) is the sole admissions criterion for 8 of New York City's 9 specialized high schools, including Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, and Brooklyn Tech. The test covers verbal reasoning and mathematics; students sit for it in the fall of 8th grade (or 9th grade for Stuyvesant only). There are no grades, teacher recommendations, or extracurricular components — only the SHSAT score determines admission and which school you're offered. The cutoff scores change annually based on applicant pool performance. Approximately 27,000–30,000 students test each year for about 4,000 seats across the eight SHSAT schools. LaGuardia High School uses a separate audition-and-academic-record process.

Are NYC specialized high schools better than Long Island's top suburban schools?

They are different, not simply better or worse. NYC specialized schools — particularly Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, and Brooklyn Tech — have extraordinary AP course breadth (Stuyvesant offers 35+ AP courses) and exceptional alumni networks. However, they have large enrollments (Brooklyn Tech has 5,000+ students) and limited individualized attention. Long Island schools like Scarsdale, Jericho, and Great Neck South typically offer student-teacher ratios of 10:1–12:1, robust counseling, smaller class sizes, and more holistic extracurricular offerings. College placement outcomes at both are exceptional. Families choosing between NYC specialized and suburban options are largely making a tradeoff between peer diversity/scale and personalized attention/breadth.

How does New York's per-pupil spending compare nationally, and does it affect school quality?

New York State spends more per pupil than any other state — approximately $25,000–$27,000 per student in 2022-23 (NCES), nearly double the national average of ~$13,000. However, this figure is highly misleading as a proxy for individual school quality because spending is extremely unequal. NYC public schools average around $25,000/student but that includes all schools across all neighborhoods. Wealthy suburban districts like Scarsdale (~$31,000/pupil) and Great Neck (~$28,000/pupil) spend at levels that rival many private schools. Meanwhile, poorer upstate districts spend far less despite the high state average. High spending in wealthy districts translates directly into more teachers, more AP courses, and better facilities.

What are the best non-NYC public high schools in New York State?

Outside of New York City, the top-ranked public high schools are concentrated in three geographic clusters: (1) Nassau County, Long Island — Jericho, Syosset, Great Neck South, Great Neck North, Manhasset, and Herricks are consistently among the state's best; (2) Westchester County — Scarsdale, Blind Brook (Rye Brook), Pelham, and Harrison rank near the top statewide; (3) Rockland and Putnam Counties have strong performers like Suffern and Mahopac. All of these districts benefit from high per-pupil spending, low student-teacher ratios, and large proportions of college-educated parent communities associated with proximity to Manhattan.

How many AP courses do New York's top public high schools offer?

New York's top public high schools offer between 22 and 38 AP courses. Stuyvesant High School offers approximately 35–38 AP courses — among the most of any public school in the country. Brooklyn Technical High School offers 26–30 AP courses within its specialized engineering tracks. Suburban schools like Scarsdale, Jericho, and Great Neck South typically offer 28–34 AP courses. The New York State average for public high schools is approximately 12–16 AP courses (College Board data). AP exam pass rates (scores of 3+) at the top schools typically exceed 75–85%, compared to the national average of about 60%.