The Best Public Schools in the NYC Suburbs

Finding the right public school for your children that not only will prepare them for a successful college career but also is within commuting distance to NYC for working parents can be a challenge. To make your search a little easier, we’ve pulled together the top public schools* from Westchester, Fairfield and Bergen counties and included key statistics like the schools size and the student, teacher ratio.

*all rankings are based on Niche.com data analyzed from key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education.

Scarsdale Senior High School  | Westchester County

Scarsdale Senior High is ranked as the top public school in its county as well as in the state. It has 1,499 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. This suburban town has a population of around 17,000 people with a median home value of $1.3 million, making it one of the most expensive towns in the country.

Horace Greenly High School, Chappaqua Central School District | Westchester County

Horace Greenly is the #2 best public high school in Westchester County and the #12 best public high school in the state. It has 1,285 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1.

Mamaroneck High School | Westchester County

Mamaroneck High School is the #3 best public high school in Westchester County and #15 in the state. This Mamaroneck, NY school has 1,519 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1. According to state test scores, 98% of students are at least proficient in math and 96% in reading. The high school isn’t the only top-ranked part of the town; the town itself was actually ranked first as the top place to live in New York State in a 2014 real estate survey.

Staples High School | Fairfield County, CT

This Westport, CT school is the #1 public high school in the state and also has the best public high school teachers in the state as well. It ranks fourth as the best college prep public high school in Connecticut. It has 1,885 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1. According to state test scores, 76% of students are at least proficient in math and 91% in reading.

New Canaan High School | Fairfield County, CT

Located about an hour train ride from NYC, New Canaan High School is ranked as the #2 best public high school in the state and the best college prep public high school in Connecticut. It has 1,251 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1. According to state test scores, 84% of students are at least proficient in math and 96% in reading.

Darien High School | Fairfield County, CT

Located about 44 miles from NYC, Darien High School is the third best public high school in the state. This suburban school has 1,356 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. According to state test scores, 84% of students are at least proficient in math and 95% in reading.

Bergen County Academics | Bergen County, NJ

As stated in a Niche.com review, “in terms of academics and college readiness, there is no doubt that BCA excels in this area.” This top-rated, public, magnet school located in Hackensack, NJ is the #1 best public high school in New Jersey. It has 1,059 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. According to state test scores, 96% of students are at least proficient in math and 88% in reading.

Bergen County Technical High School – Teterboro | Bergen County, NJ

This Teterboro, NJ public high school is ranked #8 in the state and #1 in its county. It has 658 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 10 to 1. According to state test scores, 85% of students are at least proficient in math and 84% in reading.

Tenably High School | Bergen County, NJ

This Tenafly, NJ school is ranked third in Bergen County and 20th in the state. It has 1,146 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. According to state test scores, 59% of students are at least proficient in math and 51% in reading. One Niche.com review stated, “Tenafly High School creates ambitious, intelligent, accepting, and politically aware students who often excel at the nation’s top universities and jobs.”

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