News Summary

Niche has published its annual rankings for the best high schools in Pennsylvania, spotlighting southwestern Pennsylvania’s top institutions. Shady Side Academy, Winchester Thurston School, and The Ellis School emerged as the top three in the region, with Mercersburg Academy leading the state. The rankings consider factors like academic performance and community feedback, highlighting the concentration of excellence in the Philadelphia area. Public high schools in the Pittsburgh metro area also received recognition for their quality education, showcasing strong student-to-teacher ratios and high academic grades.

Pittsburgh

Niche has released its annual rankings for the “2025 Best Schools in Pennsylvania,” highlighting the top high schools across the state, with particular attention to southwestern Pennsylvania. The rankings consider various data points, including academic performance, college readiness, and feedback from parents, students, and teachers.

The top three high schools in southwestern Pennsylvania, all of which made it into the top 25 in the state, are Shady Side Academy, Winchester Thurston School, and The Ellis School. These institutions have set a high standard for educational excellence in the region.

Leading the state is Mercersburg Academy in Franklin County, recognized as the best high school in Pennsylvania. In addition, this private school also ranks as the 89th-best high school in the entire country. Other notable institutions include Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia, which is ranked second in the state, and The Episcopal Academy in Delaware County, securing the third position.

Rankings Overview

Niche’s rankings are derived from a comprehensive evaluation, weighing seven factors that contribute to the quality of schools. These factors include academic performance, culture and diversity, extracurricular activities, available resources, and surveys collected from the school community.

Significantly, 19 out of the top 25 high schools in Pennsylvania are situated in the Philadelphia area, indicating a concentration of top-tier educational facilities in that region.

Pittsburgh Area Public High Schools

Several public high schools in the Pittsburgh metro area have also received recognition for their quality education. Here are some of the notable institutions along with their enrollment numbers and student-to-teacher ratios:

• Beaver Area School District: 644 students, 16:1 student-to-teacher ratio, Niche grade B+
• Trinity Area School District: 1,093 students, 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio, Niche grade B+
• Pittsburgh Public Schools: Various locations with enrollment stats of 542 (8:1 ratio, grade B+), 616 (16:1 ratio, grade B+), 845 (17:1 ratio, grade B+), and 1,362 (13:1 ratio, grade A-)
• North Hills School District: 1,383 students, 14:1 student-to-teacher ratio, Niche grade A-
• Bethel Park School District: 1,338 students, 14:1 student-to-teacher ratio, Niche grade A-
• Fox Chapel Area School District: 1,283 students, 14:1 student-to-teacher ratio, Niche grade A+
• Upper St. Clair School District: 1,288 students, 14:1 student-to-teacher ratio, Niche grade A+
• Mt. Lebanon School District: 1,840 students, 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio, Niche grade A+
• North Allegheny School District: 2,666 students, 13:1 student-to-teacher ratio, Niche grade A+

This data showcases the performance and capabilities of public high schools in the Pittsburgh region, many of which have received high grades for their educational quality and student-to-teacher ratios. Schools with A and A+ grades are particularly highlighted for their strong academic performance and the overall educational experience they provide.

Conclusion

The 2025 Best Schools rankings underscore the blend of excellence found in both public and private high schools across Pennsylvania. As families consider educational opportunities, this information provides valuable insight into which institutions may best meet their children’s needs.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Additional Resources

• CBS News: Best High Schools Southwestern Pennsylvania
• Google Search: Best High Schools in Pennsylvania
• WPXI: Best Public High Schools Pittsburgh Metro Area
• Wikipedia: Education in Pennsylvania
• Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh Schools Class Rank and Mental Health
• Encyclopedia Britannica: High School
• Stacker: Best Public High Schools Pittsburgh Metro Area
• Google News: Pennsylvania High School Rankings