Top 10 Best Pennsylvania Public Schools (2025)

Pennsylvania is the #8 largest school system in the United States, serving 1,668,648 students across the 2,928 public schools for the 2025 school year (there are 2,390 private schools, serving 276,997 students). 86% of all K-12 students in Pennsylvania attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Pennsylvania is 36%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 55%.
Minority enrollment is 39%, with the majority being Hispanic or Black and the student:teacher ratio is 14:1.

Student by Ethnicity

(PA) School Average
Asian
5%
Hispanic
15%
Black
14%
White
61%
Two or more races
5%
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in Pennsylvania.

Top Ranked Public Schools in Pennsylvania (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Central High School
Magnet School
(Math: 96% | Reading: ≥99%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 96% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1700 W Olney Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19141
(215) 400-3590
Rank: #22.
Downingtown Stem Academy
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
335 Manor Ave
Downingtown, PA 19335
(610) 269-8460
Rank: #33.
New Hope-solebury High School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
182 W Bridge St
New Hope, PA 18938
(215) 862-2028
Rank: #44.
Pleasant Valley Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-3
250 E Mcmurray Rd
Canonsburg, PA 15317
(724) 941-6260
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Bradford Woods Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
41 Forest Road
Bradfordwoods, PA 15015
(724) 935-5081
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Fairview Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
738 Dorseyville Rd
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
(412) 963-9315
Rank: #77.
Wissahickon Sr. High School
(Math: 94% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 91% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
521 Houston Rd
Ambler, PA 19002
(215) 619-8112
Rank: #88.
Mt Lebanon Sr. High School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 93% (Top 1%)
Reading: 91% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
155 Cochran Rd
Pittsburgh, PA 15228
(412) 344-2003
Rank: #9 - 119. - 11.
Garnet Valley High School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 91% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
552 Smithbridge Rd
Glen Mills, PA 19342
(610) 579-7745
Rank: #9 - 119. - 11.
Norwin High School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 91% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
251 Mcmahon Dr
Irwin, PA 15642
(724) 861-3005

Best Pennsylvania Public Schools by County (2025)

County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
25
12,605
22%
268
136,509
39%
49
30,025
26%
94
61,215
50%
33
15,976
11%
122
82,954
30%
37
23,705
9%
38
16,357
18%
18
8,292
20%
34
14,024
15%
106
84,522
39%
10
3,703
10%
21
8,900
14%
24
8,744
10%
71
66,446
52%
116
80,140
52%
9
3,164
5%
68
35,880
30%
40
16,775
14%
38
19,076
28%
12
4,392
4%
116
64,086
37%
28
12,455
17%
31
19,179
39%
73
51,696
60%
64
43,245
48%
31
14,732
20%
14
5,405
5%
35
13,128
19%
10
4,591
10%
29
20,951
52%
156
114,420
43%
15
5,621
10%
303
178,683
86%
14
8,763
31%
10
1,966
4%
14
5,124
6%
10
3,874
17%
11
4,154
6%
12
4,619
14%
109
64,532
33%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public schools in Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked public schools in Pennsylvania include Central High School, Downingtown Stem Academy, and New Hope-solebury High School.
How many public schools are located in Pennsylvania?
2,928 public schools are located in Pennsylvania.
What percentage of students in Pennsylvania go to public school?
86% of all K-12 students in Pennsylvania attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Pennsylvania?
Minority enrollment in Pennsylvania is 39%, with the majority being Hispanic or Black.
Which public schools in Pennsylvania are often viewed compared to one another?

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