New Jersey and New York high schools lead regional rankings

The latest U.S. News & World Report rankings for public high schools have highlighted significant academic distinctions between New Jersey and New York for the 2026-2027 school cycle. Based on data from the 2024-2025 academic year, the report evaluated approximately 18,000 institutions nationwide.

New Jersey emerged as a regional leader, placing eight schools within the top 100 nationally. High Technology High School in Lincroft secured the 28th position in the country and was recognized as the top STEM school in the United States. Other notable New Jersey institutions include Edison Academy Magnet School (#40), Union County Magnet High School (#59), and Biotechnology High School (#72).

In contrast, New York's rankings were impacted by data limitations, specifically the exclusion of AP exam data due to a lack of state authorization for the College Board. Brooklyn Latin School was identified as the top institution in New York, ranking 73rd nationally.