In this article, we’ll look into the 10 Best Public High Schools in Massachusetts in the school year 2025–2026 and discover what sets these schools apart.
1. U.S. News Best Public High School Ranking
Each year, U.S. News & World Report evaluates over 24,000 public high schools across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Nearly 18,000 schools make it into the rankings, which are based on six key factors measuring performance on state assessments and college readiness.
The rankings include separate categories such as National Best High Schools, Best Charter Schools, Best STEM Schools, and state- or metro-area-specific lists.
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2. Understanding the Methodology of the U.S. News Best High School Ranking
In collaboration with RTI International, a North Carolina-based nonprofit research organization, U.S. News ranked nearly 18,000 schools with at least 15 12th-grade students.
The six indicators used to calculate each school’s ranking and their respective weights are the following:
Indicator | Weight | Description |
College Readiness (CRI) | 30% | Measures how many seniors took and earned qualifying scores (AP 3+ or IB 4+) on AP/IB exams. |
College Curriculum Breadth (CCBI) | 10% | Rewards schools whose students take and pass multiple AP/IB exams across at least four content areas (English, Math, Science, History, etc.). The index prioritizes both participation and success in a broad college-level curriculum. |
State Assessment Proficiency | 20% | Evaluates student performance on statewide math, reading comprehension, and science tests. Results are compared across schools within the same state and adjusted for cross-state comparability. |
State Assessment Performance | 20% | Compares a school’s actual performance to what is expected based on its demographic profile. Schools that exceed expectations, particularly those serving higher proportions of underserved students, receive higher scores. |
Underserved Student Performance | 10% | Focuses exclusively on outcomes for Black, Hispanic, and low-income students. Compares their results to non-underserved students within the same state to measure equity and effectiveness. |
Graduation Rate | 10% | Measures the percentage of students who entered ninth grade in 2019 and graduated within four years (by 2023). High graduation rates indicate strong academic support and student success. |
3. Top 10 Best High Schools in Massachusetts
#1 Boston Latin School
Location: Boston, MA
Founded in 1635, Boston Latin School is the oldest public school in America and continues its legacy as a six-year, college-preparatory school for grades 7–12. Rooted in the classical tradition, it fosters academic excellence, civic engagement, and global awareness.
Rankings & Achievements:
- #27 nationally (U.S. News 2024)
- 2024 College Board Platinum Award: 93.4% of students scored 3+ on AP exams
- Average AP score: 4+
Website: Boston Latin School
#2 Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School
Location: Hadley, MA
PVCICS is a tuition-free public charter school that supplements a rigorous academic curriculum with Chinese language immersion, preparing students for bilingual proficiency and cross-cultural competence. Admission is determined by lottery.
PVCICS’s mission centers on developing academic excellence, Mandarin fluency, and global cultural awareness through sustained language immersion.
#3 Lexington High School
Location: Lexington, MA
Lexington High School is a vibrant learning community dedicated to developing well-educated, healthy, and engaged students in a safe and supportive environment. The school emphasizes both academic excellence and personal growth, encouraging students to use effort, curiosity, and imagination in the pursuit of knowledge.
With a challenging and diverse curriculum (dual-enrollment, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate courses), Lexington High School maintains high expectations while offering a rich selection of clubs and extracurricular activities that inspire creativity and community involvement. The school’s mission is to cultivate lifelong learners who meet the demands of a global society with integrity, character, and stewardship.
Website: Lexington High School
#4 Sturgis Charter Public School
Location: Hyannis, MA
Sturgis offers an “IB for All” model, where every student, grades 11–12, takes only International Baccalaureate courses. Admission is non-selective and determined by lottery. The curriculum emphasizes college readiness, creativity, and the arts, with electives in theatre, design, music, and dance.
Website: Sturgis Charter Public School
#5 O’Bryant School of Math & Science
Location: Roxbury, MA
As a diverse STEM-focused exam school, O’Bryant integrates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with the humanities to prepare students for leadership in a dynamic world.
The school emphasizes hands-on learning, collaborative projects, and real-world applications of knowledge, allowing students to develop both technical skills and creative problem-solving abilities.
Website: O’Bryant School Of Math & Science
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#6 Mystic Valley Regional Charter School
Location: Malden, MA
Serving over 1,600 students K–12, Mystic Valley Charter School emphasizes academic excellence, character education, and cultural unity. The curriculum is rigorous and well-structured, featuring Direct Instruction for language arts, Saxon Math for strong mathematical skills, and Core Knowledge for history and science. Mystic Valley also emphasizes character education and community engagement, helping students develop integrity, respect, and social awareness alongside academic excellence.
#7 Pioneer Charter School of Science 2 (PCSS-II)
Location: Saugus, MA
PCSS-II focuses on STEM education with strong support systems such as free after-school and Saturday tutoring. With small class sizes (12:1 student-teacher ratio), the school emphasizes individualized learning and ethical development.
The school’s curriculum emphasizes rigorous instruction in math and science, preparing students for advanced studies and careers in STEM fields. Beyond academics, PCSS-II encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and ethical decision-making, cultivating well-rounded individuals. Extended learning hours and data-driven instruction allow teachers to tailor lessons to each student’s unique needs, ensuring continuous growth and achievement.
Website: PCSS-II
#8 Hopkinton High School
Location: Hopkinton, MA
Known for its innovation and community spirit, Hopkinton High School aims to cultivate understanding through inquiry and reflection.
Using the Understanding by Design (UbD) framework, teachers structure curricula around: desired results, evidence and assessment, and learning plans for deep understanding
Hopkinton students consistently perform among the top in Massachusetts and nationwide.
Website: Hopkinton High School
#9 Belmont High School
Location: Belmont, MA
Belmont High School combines rigorous academics with human-centered learning. Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, it continues a legacy of excellence and civic engagement.
Below are some school highlights:
- 88% of graduates attend college
- 85 AP Scholars (Class of 2025)
- 8 National Merit semifinalists (2024)
The school cultivates critical thinkers, responsible citizens, effective communicators, and collaborative problem-solvers.
Website: Belmont High School
#10 Pioneer Charter School of Science – PCSS-I
Location: Everett, MA
Founded in 2007, PCSS-I is one of Massachusetts’s highest-performing non-selective STEM charter schools. It offers a tuition-free, college-prep program with emphasis on math, science, ethics, and lifelong learning.
PCSS also has a second location, PCSS-II, in Saugus. The PCSS-II placed 7th in this ranking. With two locations in Massachusetts, the school’s impact now extends across the Greater Boston and North Shore regions.
PCSS’s students thrive through: Rigorous STEM-focused curriculum, extended learning time, and free after-school and weekend tutoring
Website: PCSS-I
Massachusetts continues to lead the nation in public education, thanks to schools that balance academic excellence with personal development, inclusivity, and innovation. From rigorous AP and IB programs to holistic approaches that nurture leadership and creativity, these top-ranked high schools represent the best of what education can offer.
As seen in these schools, excellence isn’t just measured by test scores or college acceptance rates, but by the lifelong learners and global citizens they help shape.
Read more:
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