The 2025–2026 U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools rankings, released on August 19, 2025, reviewed nearly 24,000 public high schools nationwide and ranked about 18,000. Schools with fewer than 15 seniors were excluded from the analysis.
The scoring system placed the greatest weight on Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) performance, which made up 40% of each school’s score and measured both participation and exam results. Another 30% of the score came from graduation rates and state test performance, while 10% reflected the outcomes of low-income, Black, and Latino students. Additional measures, including curriculum breadth and overall student outcomes, were also taken into account.
All information used in the rankings came from the 2022–2023 school year and was analyzed in partnership with RTI International, a global research organization. At the state level, Massachusetts ranked 1st with 43% of its schools in the top quarter nationally. Connecticut ranked 2nd with 41%, followed by New Jersey in 3rd place with 40%.
- New Jersey ranked third nationally for high schools, with 40% of schools included in the rankings.
- High Technology High School in Lincroft was ranked the best STEM high school in the U.S. and #27 overall.
- The state had 11 schools in the national top 100, plus 25 charter schools recognized for excellence.
High Technology High School: #1 STEM Program in the Nation
High Technology High School in Lincroft, Monmouth County, was recognized as both the best high school in New Jersey and the top STEM high school in the United States.
- National ranking: #27 overall.
- STEM ranking: #1 nationwide.
- Score: 99.85 out of 100.
- Enrollment: 284 students for the 2024–2025 school year.
- Special programs: College credit partnerships with the Rochester Institute of Technology and Georgian Court University.
Top-Ranked High Schools in New Jersey 2025-2026
New Jersey had 11 schools in the national top 100, with most being magnet or specialized schools. Standouts included:
- Bergen County Academies in Hackensack (#41 nationally)
- Edison Academy Magnet School in Edison (#59 nationally)
- Dr. Ronald E. McNair High School in Jersey City (#77 nationally)
- Union County Magnet High School in Scotch Plains (#79 nationally)
- Biotechnology High School in Freehold (#80 nationally)
Also recognized were Bergen County Technical High School in Teterboro, Woodbridge Academy Magnet School, and the Academy for Information Technology in Scotch Plains.
Among comprehensive public schools, Millburn High School (#244 nationally) was the highest-ranked open-enrollment school in the state.
Best Charter High Schools in New Jersey
Charter schools also had a strong presence, with 25 schools ranked nationally. Top performers included:
- Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School in Somerset, ranked among the top 25 in New Jersey. Its Robotics Team also received county citations.
- Central Jersey College Prep Charter School in Somerset.
- College Achieve Central Charter School in Plainfield.
- Bergen Arts and Sciences Charter School in Garfield.
Other recognized charter schools included Beloved Community Charter School in Jersey City, North Star Academy in Newark, and Paterson Arts and Science Charter School.
New Jersey in the National Picture
On the national stage, the top 10 U.S. public high schools were:
- BASIS Tucson North (Arizona)
- Signature School (Indiana)
- Central Magnet School (Tennessee)
- Davidson Academy (Nevada)
- Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Virginia)
- Albuquerque Institute of Math and Science (New Mexico)
- Hass Hall Bentonville (Arkansas)
- Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Pennsylvania)
- The School for the Talented and Gifted (Texas)
- Aiken Scholars Academy (South Carolina)
Although New Jersey did not appear in the top 10 nationally, the state’s placement of 11 schools in the top 100, along with the #1 STEM high school in the United States, makes it a leader in education quality.
