20 Best Public High Schools in NJ – 2024
April 5, 2024
There is no shortage of excellent high school education in New Jersey. In fact, the Garden State is known for some of the top schools, both public and private (here’s a list of top private schools in NJ). Below, we will discuss 20 of the best public high schools in New Jersey. While many factors contribute to the excellence of a high school, this article will focus on college admissions. In other words, how do the best public high schools in NJ rank when it comes to sending graduates to top colleges? Although attending a great high school doesn’t guarantee admission into a top college, it can certainly serve the admissions process and provide unique learning experiences along the way.
Some factors we considered
In assessing these public NJ high schools, we referred to the 2023-24 state and national rankings from various sources. The “College Readiness Index” calculates values for schools based on student performance on both state-required tests and AP/IB exams. Also considered in this list are student-to-teacher ratios and diversity of the student body. Additionally, with each school, we’ve included some brief highlights, including information on test scores, curricula, and colleges of interest for graduates.
Please note that inclusion on our 20 Best Public Schools in NJ list is a selective and criteria-based process. However, the order in which the schools appear does not represent any further ranking. The numbering is solely intended to help this resource be more user-friendly.
Also please note that these are only 20 schools among 476 public high schools in New Jersey, so there are many great options to consider if you are deciding where to enroll your student. While a number of the schools are zoned (meaning, admission depends on where the student lives), others are magnet schools (meaning, the student must apply and admission could be competitive). With that, continue reading for some of the best public high schools in New Jersey.
1) Union County Magnet High School (Scotch Plains, NJ)
- NJ ranking: #1
- National ranking: #26
- Enrollment: 308
- Graduation rate: 100%
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 21:1
- Student diversity: 69.2% minority
- College readiness index: 93/100
- Took at least one AP exam: 97%
- Passed at least one AP exam: 92%
Union County Magnet High School is a magnet school for science, technology, and mathematics with an engineering-based curriculum. In addition to these high rankings, this school was also ranked as #3 in New York, NY Metro Area High Schools by U.S. News. According to reports, students at this school are interested in attending colleges such as Rutgers University, Princeton University, Cornell University, and New York University, among other 4-year institutions. Since it is a specialized magnet program, students must apply for admission.
2) Edison Academy Magnet School (Edison, NJ)
- NJ ranking: #2
- National ranking: #39
- Enrollment: 172
- Graduation rate: 100%
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 15:1
- Student diversity: 93.6% minority enrollment
- College readiness index: 96.2/100
- Took at least one AP exam: 100%
- Passed at least one AP exam: 95%
This highly diverse public high school also focuses on engineering with a “technology-infused learning environment.” Edison Academy Magnet School places 97.5% of graduates in colleges, with students currently attending Ivy League colleges (such as Columbia and Princeton), state universities (such as Rutgers and University of Maryland), small liberal arts colleges (such as Muhlenberg College), and a range of other institutions. This high school has a very selective admissions process.
20 Best Public High Schools in NJ (Continued)
3) High Technology High School (Lincroft, NJ)
- NJ ranking: #3
- National ranking: #64
- Enrollment: 287
- Graduation rate: 100%
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 13:1
- Student diversity: 66.6% minority enrollment
- College readiness index: 97.7/100
- Took at least one AP exam: 99%
- Passed at least one AP exam: 97%
High Technology is a pre-engineering academy that emphasizes math, science, and technology in connection with the humanities. In the class of 2023, 100% matriculated into 4-year colleges, 24 students qualified as National AP Scholars, and 17 students became finalists in the National Merit Program. Students participate in a semester-long mentorship program their senior year.
4) Woodbridge Academy Magnet School (Woodbridge, NJ)
- NJ ranking: #4
- National ranking: #65
- Enrollment: 280
- Graduation rate: 100%
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 15:1
- Student diversity: 90.5% minority enrollment
- College readiness index: 100/100
- Took at least one AP exam: 100%
- Passed at least one AP exam: 100%
Formerly called Woodbridge Academy for Allied Health, this school’s curriculum is centered around the biological sciences. Woodbridge Academy students have been accepted at prestigious colleges and universities such as Cornell, Tufts, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Admission is granted based on grades, test scores, references, and an on-campus interview.
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5) Biotechnology High School (Freehold, NJ)
- NJ ranking: #5
- National ranking: #72
- Enrollment: 315
- Graduation rate: 100%
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 12:1
- Student diversity: 62.2% minority enrollment
- College readiness index: 97.9/100
- Took at least one IB exam: 100%
- Passed at least one IB exam: 100%
This International Baccalaureate (IB) program integrates life science, technology, and engineering into its rigorous curriculum. Graduates in the class of 2023 attend schools such as Boston University, Emory University, Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins University, Middlebury College, University of Michigan, and University of Pennsylvania. The average SAT score is 1470 and the average ACT score is 33. In addition to the core curriculum, students are offered electives ranging from Advanced Experimental Design, to AP Physics C, to Creative Writing, to Public Speaking.
6) Dr. Ronald E. McNair High School (Jersey City, NJ)
- NJ ranking: #6
- National ranking: #77
- Enrollment: 704
- Graduation rate: 99%
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 14:1
- Student diversity: 82.2% minority enrollment
- College readiness index: 95.6/100
- Took at least one AP exam: 100%
- Passed at least one AP exam: 94%
McNair High School has over 700 students enrolled and still maintains a strong student-to-teacher ratio, as well as an impressive AP success rate. In addition to its high national and state rankings, McNair ranks as the #1 high school among Jersey City Public Schools, and #14 in New York, NY Metro Area High Schools.
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7) Bergen County Academies (Hackensack, NJ)
- NJ ranking: #78
- National ranking: #7
- Enrollment: 1,109
- Graduation rate:
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 12:1
- Student diversity: 64.3% minority enrollment
- College readiness index: 91.9/100
- Took at least one AP exam: 93%
- Passed at least one AP exam: 90%
Bergen County Academies (BCA) offers seven specialized programs: mathematics and science, engineering and design, medical science, business and finance, culinary arts and hospitality administration, visual and performing arts, and technology and computer science. Though these programs are distinct, students from separate programs interact with one another in math, humanities, and world language courses. The high school is ranked #19 in the U.S. News list of STEM High Schools.
8) Bergen County Technical High School—Teterboro (Teterboro, NJ)
- NJ ranking: #8
- National ranking: #88
- Enrollment: 678
- Graduation rate: 100%
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 10:1
- Student diversity: 59.1% minority enrollment
- College readiness index: 96.8/100
- Took at least one AP exam: 99%
- Passed at least one AP exam: 96%
This high school has an honors program with nine technical concentrations: Aerospace Engineering, Automotive Engineering and Design, Commercial Art and Graphic Design, Computer Science, Culinology, Digital Media Arts, Fashion Design and Merchandising, Law and Justice, and Strategic Asset Management. The school’s curriculum encourages experimentation and innovation through project-based learning. Graduates in the class of 2024 were accepted into a wide range of Ivy League, liberal arts, state, and technical universities.
20 Best Public High Schools in NJ (Continued)
9) Academy for Information Technology (Scotch Plains, NJ)
- NJ ranking: #9
- National ranking: #122
- Enrollment: 287
- Graduation rate: 100%
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 19:1
- Student diversity: 65.2% minority enrollment
- College readiness index: 86.3/100
- Took at least one AP exam: 92%
- Passed at least one AP exam: 85%
The Academy for Information Technology takes pride in its small size, its culturally diverse student population, and its fostering of critical thinking and intellectual curiosity. The school encourages students to be socially-aware and self-aware, developing their communication skills in addition to promoting technical achievements.
10) Academy for Allied Health Sciences (Scotch Plains, NJ)
- NJ ranking: #10
- National ranking: #230
- Enrollment: 309
- Graduation rate: 100%
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 20:1
- Student diversity: 69.6% minority enrollment
- College readiness index: 66.7/100
- Took at least one AP exam: 71%
- Passed at least one AP exam: 65%
Also ranked #25 in the list of STEM high schools, AAHS exposes students to various health career skills while providing interdisciplinary and well-rounded educational experiences. Planning for college admissions success begins freshman year, as counselors guide students to take classes appropriate for their interests and engage in extracurricular activities. Students have the opportunity to engage in work-based learning their senior year.
20 Best Public High Schools in NJ (Continued)
11) Monmouth County Academy of Allied Health and Science (Neptune, NJ)
- NJ ranking: #11
- National ranking: #248
- Enrollment: 301
- Graduation rate: 100%
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 13:1
- Student diversity: 53.2% minority enrollment
- College readiness index: 76.6/100
- Took at least one AP exam: 77%
- Passed at least one AP exam: 77%
This selective public high school prepares students for further education and careers in the health sciences through clinical experience. This experience begins in freshman year, when students take field trips to different health care providers. In sophomore year, students gain practical volunteer experience, and by senior year, they participate in an eight-week mentorship program working alongside professional health care providers.
12) Elizabeth High School (Elizabeth, NJ)
- NJ ranking: #12
- National ranking: #278
- Enrollment: 1,287
- Graduation rate: 95%
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 17:1
- Student diversity: 87.8%
- College readiness index: 76.4/100
- Took at least one AP exam: 100%
- Passed at least one AP exam: 68%
The EHS curriculum includes AP classes, vocational programs, and a wide range of electives, in addition to extracurricular activities in athletics, performing arts, and leadership organizations. Though this is a large school, the average core class size is under 24 students. Students are able to take college courses in partnership with Pikes Peak Community College.
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13) Glen Ridge High School (Glen Ridge, NJ)
- NJ ranking: #13
- National ranking: #311
- Enrollment: 538
- Graduation rate: 99%
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 11:1
- Student diversity: 25.8% minority enrollment
- College readiness index: 74.6/100
- Took at least one AP exam: 83%
- Passed at least one AP exam: 72%
This comprehensive high school offers many areas of study with an emphasis on college preparation. 95.56% of students in the class of 2023 went on to attend a 4-year college, 2.22% began a 2-year college, 0.74% began a trade school program, and 1.48% took a gap year. This is not the most diverse school of the mix, since the vast majority of the student body is white and 0% of the student body is economically disadvantaged. Glen Ridge High School ranks number #48 in New York, NY Metro Area High Schools.
14) Marine Academy of Science and Technology (Highlands, NJ)
- NJ ranking: #14
- National ranking: #316
- Enrollment: 269
- Graduation rate: 100%
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 10:1
- Student diversity: 18.6% minority enrollment
- College readiness index: 70.4/100
- Took at least one AP exam: 100%
- Passed at least one AP exam: 61%
This high school includes a core specialization in marine science. The campus, which is adjacent to the Sandy Hook lighthouse, includes a range of science and computer labs, and a research facility is located in the James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory. The curriculum emphasizes the creative use of the surrounding environment. In the class of 2022, the mean SAT score was 668 on Reading and 663 on Math, with a Mean ACT score of 32.
20 Best Public High Schools in NJ (Continued)
15) Infinity Institute (Jersey City, NJ)
- NJ ranking: #15
- National ranking: #374
- Enrollment: 288
- Graduation rate: 100%
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 24:1
- Student diversity: 53.9/100
- College readiness index: 77.1% minority enrollment
- Took at least one AP exam: 80%
- Passed at least one AP exam: 45%
Infinity Institute is a magnet school that emphasizes lifelong learning and encourages students to become responsible global citizens. Students at this high school are largely interested in attending Rutgers University, New York University, Stevens Institute of Technology, Montclair State University, and Princeton University, among other institutions.
16) Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest (Demarest, NJ)
- NJ ranking: #16
- National ranking: #391
- Enrollment: 959
- Graduation rate: 99%
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 11:1
- Student diversity: 40.3% minority enrollment
- College readiness index: 71.9/100
- Took at least one AP exam: 79%
- Passed at least one AP exam: 69%
This top public high school, located in a large NJ suburb, offers a wide range of AP coursework and exams, as well as a variety of extracurricular activities. It’s ranked as #65 in New York, NY Metro Area High Schools.
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17) West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North (Plainsboro, NJ)
- NJ ranking: #17
- National ranking: #441
- Enrollment: 1,468
- Graduation rate: 97%
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 12:1
- Student diversity: 83.8% minority enrollment
- College readiness index: 68.4/100
- Took at least one AP exam: 71%
- Passed at least one AP exam: 68%
This high school has an impressive student-to-teacher ratio, considering its large size. With a district mission of “empowering all learners to thoughtfully contribute to a diverse and changing world,” it emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion. Many students at West Windsor-Plainsboro are interested in universities such as Rutgers University, New York University, and Cornell University following graduation.
18) Livingston High School (Livingston, NJ)
- NJ ranking: #18
- National ranking: #456
- Enrollment: 1,952
- Graduation rate: 98%
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 11:1
- Student diversity: 42.9% minority enrollment
- College readiness index: 71.8/100
- Took at least one AP exam: 76%
- Passed at least one AP exam: 70%
This large, 4-year comprehensive school (with yet another excellent student-to-teacher ratio) has the motto: “Empowering All to Learn, Create, Contribute & Grow.” Livingston High School ranks #71 in New York, NY Metro Area High Schools and #140 in STEM High Schools.
20 Best Public High Schools in NJ (Continued)
19) Millburn High School (Millburn, NJ)
- NJ ranking: #19
- National ranking: #457
- Enrollment: 1,336
- Graduation rate: 98%
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 10:1
- Student diversity: 47.4% minority enrollment
- College readiness index: 63/100
- Took at least one AP exam: 66%
- Passed at least one AP exam: 62%
Millburn High School offers AP and Gifted programs, ranking #72 for New York, NY Metro Area High Schools and #114 for STEM High Schools nationwide. Students who attend Millburn are often interested in Rutgers University, New York University, and Penn State University, among many other 4-year institutions.
20) West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South (West Windsor, NJ)
- NJ ranking: #20
- National ranking: #469
- Enrollment: 1,613
- Graduation rate: 96%
- Student-to-teacher ratio: 13:1
- Student diversity: 82.3% minority enrollment
- College readiness index: 71.6/100
- Took at least one AP exam: 77%
- Passed at least one AP exam: 70%
Last but certainly not least, this 4-year comprehensive high school, located in a small suburb, is ranked #1 in the U.S. News list of Trenton, NJ Metro Area High Schools, as well as #68 in STEM High Schools. It currently offers 66 clubs and activities, in addition to AP courses.
Best Public High Schools in NYC – Final Thoughts
While it can be a tough call whether to attend a public or private school, there are many great options for both in the state of New Jersey. If you are looking for inspiration for moving through high school and preparing for college, here’s a great list of summer programs for high school students to consider. Here are a few more blogs to check out, while you’re at it:
