With a higher-than-average variety of world-class institutions to pick from, New York City boasts one of the top public school systems in the country.
This guide can help you navigate the city’s education system. And find the proper school for your child, and more, whether you’re a current New York State/City resident or coming from out of state.
Learn more about the best schools in New York City by reading on.
An Overview of the Education System in New York City
Over one million children are served by New York City’s public schools. These kids are overseen by the New York City Department of Education, who are scattered throughout over 1,800 schools in 32 school districts.
The following are the racial demographics of New York City Public Schools’ 1.1 million students:
- 41 percent Hispanic or Latino
- 24.7 percent Black
- 16.1 percent Asian or Asian/Pacific Islander
- 14.6 percent White
- 1.2 percent Native American or Alaska Native
- 0.5 percent Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
- 1.9 percent of students in New York City are of two or more races
Ranking Factors Considered
What elements contribute to the favorable reputation and high rating of New York City’s public schools? Some of the most significant ones to be aware of are as follows:
- Teachers: What are the teacher’s educational credentials? What is their level of expertise?
- Spending Per Student: In general, increased investment equals greater access to resources and higher-quality education.
- Clubs, Organizations, and Athletics: A wide range of extracurricular activities will provide students with additional opportunities to develop skills and socialize.
- Average Class Size: A smaller class size often implies more individual attention and support from professors.
- Student and Parent Ratings/Reviews: What do students and parents think about their interactions with instructors, administrators, and so on?
- College Preparation: Does the school help students obtain internships, complete applications, prepare for standardized tests, and so on?
The Best Public Schools in New York (2023)
The schools mentioned below stand out among the 1,800-plus schools that comprise New York City’s public school system. All of them are excellent schools to consider for your child.
Public Elementary Schools (Category 1)
A child’s elementary school education may help them start their schooling on the right foot and set them up for future success. Here are New York City’s top three primary school selections.
New Scientific, Technological, and Math Explorations
New Explorations into Science, Technology, and Math School, located on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, is an exceptional school with roughly 1,639 K-12 pupils.
It boasts a 16-to-1 student-teacher ratio and exceptionally high test results, with 96 percent of pupils competent or higher in arithmetic and 91 percent proficient or higher in reading.
Elizabeth M. Baker Elementary School
Elizabeth M. Baker School is a public elementary school in Great Neck, Long Island. It has a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1 with just 665 pupils. 85% of its pupils are competent or higher in arithmetic, and 84% are proficient or higher in reading.
Village Elementary School
Village Elementary School is located on Long Island near Syosset. It has 433 pupils and a student-to-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. 92% of its pupils are competent or higher in arithmetic, and 92% are proficient or higher in reading.
Public Middle Schools (Category 2)
What do you want your child to do once they graduate from primary school?
These middle school options are all highly regarded for children in grades 5-8:
Williamsburg Collegiate Charter School
Williamsburg Collegiate Charter School, located in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg area, educates nearly 300 students in grades 5-8. Its kids have outstanding exam results, with 90 percent of them scoring proficient or better in both reading and arithmetic.
Great Neck Middle School
Great Neck South Middle Institution is another top-rated Long Island institution. It has a student-teacher ratio of 10 to 1 and educates 851 students in grades 6-8.
According to state exam results, 79 percent of children are competent or better in arithmetic, and 81 percent are proficient or better in reading.
South Woods Middle School
South Woods Middle School is another well-known and regarded middle school in Syosset, Long Island. It serves 727 students in grades 6-8 and has a student-teacher ratio of 9 to 1. 76% of its pupils are competent or higher in arithmetic, while 83% are proficient or higher in reading.
Public High Schools (Category 3)
Your child will be better prepared for college and life as an adult if they attend a suitable higher school. The top high school alternatives for you (and them) to examine are as follows:
The Bronx High School of Science
The Bronx High School of Science has a student body of 2,985 pupils in grades 9-12. It has a student-teacher ratio of 21 to 1, and its test scores are remarkable, with 99% of pupils competent or above in arithmetic and 99% proficient or above in reading.
Stuyvesant High School
Stuyvesant High School is a 9-12 school in Manhattan with 3,304 pupils. It has a student-teacher ratio of 21 to 1 with exam results comparable to the prior school. 99% of its pupils are competent or above in arithmetic, and 96% are proficient or above in reading.
Staten Island Technical High School
Staten Island Technical High School is a tiny public high school with a total enrollment of 1,355 students in grades 9-12. It boasts a student-teacher ratio of 19 to 1 and strong test results, with 99 percent of kids competent or better in arithmetic and 99% proficient or above in reading.
Townsend Harris High School
Flushing, Queens is home to Townsend Harris High School. It has a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1 and educates 1,347 students in grades 9-12. Ninety-nine percent of its kids are competent or above in arithmetic, and the same holds for their reading results.
Are You Moving to New York?
Consider school rankings while determining where to reside in New York City. Enrolling your child in a top-rated school will help you set them up for success and make it simpler for them to adjust to life in a new city.
Do you require assistance in relocating to the city before the start of the school year? If so, Zenith Moving is here to help. Get a free quotation from us now.
