Top High Schools in New York State

New York City's specialized high schools are among the most academically selective in the United States. Admission to the top schools requires a competitive entrance exam.

Stuyvesant High School (Manhattan)
Consistently ranked among the top 5 high schools in the US. Stuyvesant admits students solely based on the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) — typically the top 3% of test-takers. Alumni include four Nobel laureates, multiple MacArthur Fellows, and leaders across science, finance, and the arts. The school's science, mathematics, and debate programs are legendary.

Bronx High School of Science
A STEM-focused specialized high school in the Bronx. Bronx Science has produced 8 Nobel laureates in physics (more than most countries in the world), 6 Pulitzer Prize winners, and dozens of National Medal of Science recipients. Like Stuyvesant, admission is via the SHSAT.

Brooklyn Technical High School
The largest of New York's specialized high schools (~6,000 students). Brooklyn Tech offers 12 engineering and technology majors and has exceptional programs in aerospace engineering, biomedical science, and architecture. Alumni include Barry Diller and Gene Simmons.

Townsend Harris High School (Queens)
A humanities-focused specialized high school at Queens College, Townsend Harris requires a portfolio and essay for admission (not the SHSAT). The school's college placement is exceptional, with strong acceptance rates to Ivy League and liberal arts colleges. Named for the first American consul general to Japan.

Long Island High Schools: Jericho, Syosset, Great Neck
The wealthy Long Island school districts consistently produce high-achieving students. Jericho High School and Great Neck North are frequently ranked among the top 50 high schools in the US by AP participation and college placement metrics.