Parents across New Jersey have a new set of rankings to talk about this week. U.S. News & World Report has released its latest list of the state’s top public high schools — and the names stretch from the Shore to the suburbs.
Once again, a few familiar academy programs lead the way, but several traditional high schools earned spots too, showing that excellence isn’t limited to magnet tracks or big budgets.
How the Rankings Were Done
Each year, U.S. News reviews data from the U.S. Department of Education along with state testing and graduation rates. For New Jersey, the report zeroes in on how students perform in math, English language arts, and science on the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments.
Analysts also weigh college readiness — things like participation in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses — plus overall equity among students. And by state rule, New Jersey teens must study a world language and take part in visual or performing arts to graduate, giving the rankings a broader picture of what “well-rounded” really means.
The study compared more than 24,000 high schools nationwide. The Garden State produced several of the highest scores anywhere in the country.
STEM Programs Lead the Pack
Holding onto the top spot again from last year’s list is High Technology High School in Lincroft. The small Monmouth County program has become a national model for project-based engineering and advanced math. Students there often complete college-level work before senior year.
Right behind it, Bergen County Academies in Hackensack and Edison Academy Magnet School keep their strong grip on the top three. Both draw high-achieving students from multiple districts and send graduates to some of the country’s most selective universities.
Schools in Scotch Plains and Jersey City also earned repeat appearances near the top, proving that excellence is spread across north and central Jersey alike.
New Jersey high schools rank among the country’s best on the STEM national list.
New Jersey’s Top 20 Public High Schools for 2026
- High Technology High School – Lincroft
- Bergen County Academies – Hackensack
- Edison Academy Magnet School – Edison
- Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School – Jersey City
- Union County Magnet High School – Scotch Plains
- Biotechnology High School – Freehold
- Bergen County Technical High School – Teterboro
- Woodbridge Academy Magnet School – Woodbridge
- Academy for Information Technology – Scotch Plains
- Academy for Allied Health Sciences – Scotch Plains
- Marine Academy of Science and Technology – Highlands
- Millburn High School – Millburn
- Glen Ridge High School – Glen Ridge
- STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges – South Orange
- Monmouth County Academy of Allied Health and Science – Neptune
- PCTI STEM Academy – Wayne
- West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North – Plainsboro
- Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest – Demarest
- Infinity Institute – Jersey City
- Livingston High School – Livingston
Why It Matters
Rankings never tell the whole story, but they do help families see where schools are excelling and where resources are paying off. New Jersey’s mix of selective academies and neighborhood high schools continues to produce some of the strongest results in the country. In addition, most of these top 20 high schools have a 100 percent graduation rate.
Many of the schools on this year’s list also stand out for student wellness programs, the arts, and local partnerships that connect teenagers to real-world opportunities. From robotics teams to jazz ensembles, the focus goes well beyond test scores.
Educators across the state say the recognition highlights the value of public education done right — small class sizes where possible, strong leadership, and communities that back their schools.
A Win for the Garden State
The 2026 rankings confirm what parents and teachers here have known for years: New Jersey’s commitment to education runs deep. Whether it’s a high-tech magnet school or a traditional public campus with generations of alumni, the state continues to raise the standard for what’s possible in public education.
For thousands of students getting ready to take the next step — college, trades, or straight into the workforce — these schools show that success starts right here at home.
What Are Former Students Saying?
Micayla Mirabella, a 2016 graduate of Academy for Information Technology, told New Jersey Digest that while these schools may not be the easiest ride, the curriculum has served her well, preparing her for her collegiate years.
“Honestly, AIT was very challenging,” she said, “but it really prepared me for college. I met my people there, too. It wasn’t perfect, but I’m grateful for it.”
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.