A tiny New Jersey high school was just named the No. 1 STEM school in the entire nation.
High Technology High School in Lincroft topped the list for STEM for the second year in a row, and ranked #28 nationally overall in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-2027 Best High Schools rankings.
What Makes It Stand Out
The Monmouth County school enrolls just 284 students from grades 9-12—admission is application based and understandably competitive. The curriculum places engineering at the center—with specialties in civil engineering, architecture, computer-integrated manufacturing, and digital electronics. High Technology students can earn college credits at associated schools.
The academic scorecard is where the ranking really begins to make sense. 100% of students took—and passed—at least one AP exam. Students earned 100% proficiency in both reading and math, along with a 99% proficiency in science. To top it all off, a 100% graduation rate—landing High Technology a 99.84 out of 100 on U.S. News & World Report’s scorecard.
Along with the No. 1 ranking for STEM schools nationally, High Technology also ranked No. 1 in New Jersey High Schools, New York, NY Metro Area High Schools, and Monmouth County Vocational School District High Schools.
How Schools Are Ranked
Rankings are based on six performance measures: state-required assessment results, graduation rates, college readiness, how well schools serve underserved students, AP/IB exam participation and performance, curriculum breadth. Rankings are compiled with research firm RTI International.
Read the methodology breakdown here. Check out the full STEM rankings here.
The accolade is certainly nothing new for the prestigious school. A stupendous list of academic achievements lands High Technology High School in Lincroft at the top of the nation’s STEM rankings once again.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.