New York City has one of the best public school systems in the country, with higher-than-average per-pupil spending and a wide range of world-class schools for parents to choose from.
Whether you’re a current New York State/City resident or are relocating from out of state, this guide can help you navigate the city’s school system, choose the right school for your child, and more.
Learn more about NYC top-rated schools below.
New York City Education System: An Overview
The public schools in New York City serve over one million students. The New York City Department of Education oversees these students, who are spread across approximately 1,800 schools in 32 school districts.
The racial demographics for New York City Public Schools’ 1.1 million students are as follows:
● 41 percent Hispanic/Latino
● 24.7 percent Black
● 16.1 percent Asian or Asian/Pacific Islander
● 14.6 percent White
● 1.2 percent American Indian or Alaska Native
● 0.5 percent Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
Additionally, 1.9 percent of New York City’s students are of two or more races.
Factors Considered for Rankings
What factors contribute to New York City’s public schools’ positive reputation and high ranking? The following are some of the most important ones to be aware of:
● Teachers: What are the teacher’s educational backgrounds? How much experience do they have?
● Per-Pupil Spending: In general, higher spending means access to more resources and higher-quality education.
● Clubs, Organizations, and Athletics: A variety of extracurricular activities will give students more opportunities to develop skills and socialize
● Average Class Size: A lower number of students per class typically means more individual attention and support from teachers.
● Student and Parent Ratings/Reviews: What do school students and parents have to say about their experience with teachers, administrators, etc.?
● Special Education Options: Are there programs and resources available for students with special needs?
● College Preparation: Does the school assist with finding internships, filling out applications, preparing for standardized tests, etc.?
Top 10 Best Public Schools In New York (2023)
Of the 1,800-plus schools that make up the New York City public school system, the ten listed below stand out. These are all good schools to consider for your child.
Category 1: Public Elementary Schools
A child’s elementary school education can help them start their education on a positive note and set them up for success as they get older. Here are the top three elementary school options in New York City according to the popular ranking site Niche:
School 1: New Explorations into Science, Technology, and Math School
Located in Manhattan on the Lower East Side, New Explorations into Science, Technology, and Math School is an excellent school with approximately 1,639 K-12 students. It has a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1 and very high test scores, with 96 percent of students being proficient or higher in math and 91 percent being proficient or higher in reading.
School 2: Elizabeth M. Baker School
Elizabeth M. Baker School is an elementary school located in Great Neck on Long Island. It has just 665 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1. Eighty-five percent of its students are proficient or higher and math, and 84 percent are proficient or higher in reading.
School 3: Village Elementary School
Village Elementary School is located in Syosset on Long Island. It has 433 students and an impressive student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. Ninety-two percent of its students are proficient or better in math, and 92% are proficient or better in reading.
Category 2: Public Middle Schools
Where do you want your child to go after they finish elementary school? For students in grades 5-8, these middle school options are all highly ranked:
School 1: Williamsburg Collegiate Charter School
Williamsburg Collegiate Charter School is located in the Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn and serves over 300 students in grades 5-8. Its students have impressive test scores, with 90 percent proficient or higher in both reading and math.
School 2: Great Neck South Middle School
Great Neck South Middle School is another top-ranked school on Long Island. It serves 851 students in grades 6-8 and has a student-teacher ratio of 10 to 1. State test scores show 79 percent of students are proficient or better in math, and the same is true of 81 percent in reading.
School 3: South Woods Middle School
South Woods Middle School is another well-known and respected Syosset on Long Island middle school. It has 727 students in grades 6-8 and a student-teacher ratio of just 9 to 1. Seventy-six percent of its students are proficient or higher in math, and 83 percent are proficient or higher in reading.
Category 3: Public High Schools
The right upper school will help your child prepare for college and life as an adult. The following are the top four high school options for you (and them) to consider:
School 1: The Bronx High School of Science
The Bronx High School of Science serves 2,985 students in grades 9-12. It has a student-teacher ratio of 21 to 1 and has impressive test scores, with 99% of students being proficient or above in math and 99% being proficient or above in reading.
School 2: Stuyvesant High School
Located in Manhattan, Stuyvesant High School is a 9-12 school and home to 3,304 students. It has a student-teacher ratio of 21 to 1 and similar test scores to the previously mentioned school. Ninety-nine percent of its students are proficient or above in math, and 96 percent are proficient or above in reading.
School 3: Staten Island Technical High School
Staten Island Technical High School is a small public high school with just 1,355 students in grades 9-12. It has a student-teacher ratio of just 19 to 1 and high test scores, with 99 percent of students being at least proficient in math and 99% being proficient or higher in reading.
School 4: Townsend Harris High School
Townsend Harris High School is located in Flushing, Queens. It serves 1,347 students in grades 9-12 and has a 16 to 1 student-teacher ratio. Ninety-nine percent of its students are at least proficient in math; the same is true of their reading scores.
Challenges and Limitations
In a perfect world, every child would have a chance to attend the best public and private schools in New York City. However, certain challenges and limitations get in the way, including the following:
Limited Availability of Spots in Top-Rated Schools
The city’s best schools typically have smaller student populations and lower student-teacher ratios. These numbers mean fewer spots are available, limiting the number of students attending each year.
Affordability and Access to Quality Education
Some parents may want to send their child to a private school instead of a public one in hopes of them receiving a higher-quality education. However, finances get in the way. Although some financial aid options are available, they’re not sufficient for all potential applicants.
FAQs
If you’re new to the New York City public school system, with its million-plus students and expansive list of schools, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers that might help:
How Do I Enroll My Student?
Parents can enroll children in public schools online. Through the New York City Public Schools website, they can find the forms, contact information, etc., needed to register their child.
What Are My Pre-K Options?
New York City offers families free and low-cost early childhood education programs for infants and toddlers aged six weeks to three years. Families typically qualify if they meet one or more of these criteria:
● Their household income falls within federal guidelines
● They live in temporary housing
● They receive Human Resources Administration (HRA) assistance
● They receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
● They receive Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI)
● They’re enrolling a child who is in foster care
You can learn more about New York City’s EarlyLearn programs through the public school’s website.
How Do I Sign My Student Up for Free Lunch?
Parents do not have to register children for free lunch in New York City. However, schools do request that families fill out a Family Income Inquiry Form, which helps schools receive adequate money for the free lunch program.
What Is the Difference Between a Charter School and a Public School?
A charter school is an independent public school founded by a non-profit board of trustees. Many charter schools receive grants from the U.S. Department of Education.
Charter schools fall under the same umbrella as NYC public schools and are open to all of the city’s students. They may offer different educational programs than traditional public schools with an emphasis on different subjects, such as the performing arts or STEM.
How Can I Find More Information About Specific Top-Rated NYC Schools?
Generally, the best way to find more information about the best high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools in New York City is to visit their respective websites.
As seen with the schools linked above, each school in the city has its own website with information about the student population, teachers, extracurricular activities, etc.
Are You Moving to New York City?
When deciding where to live in New York City, you should consider school rankings. Enrollment in a top-rated school will help you set your child up for success and make it easier for them to get acclimated to life in a new city.
Do you need help moving to the city before the first day of school? If so, Oz Moving & Storage is ready to assist. Contact us today to get a free quote.
About the author |
Nancy Zafrani | General Manager |
Nancy Zafrani is the experienced General Manager of Oz Moving & Storage, with 30 years in the industry and a lifetime of knowledge as a New Yorker. She helped grow the company from 3 employees to 200 with 50 trucks and locations across the US. Her experience and organizational skills have led to over 500.000 successful moves. She is proud to lead a company that provides the best possible moving experience
