The latest ranking of the state’s premier public high schools showed minimal variance from previous assessments. Unsurprisingly, the list was dominated by a distinguished Boston establishment and multiple affluent suburban schools, alongside a distinctive magnet school in Worcester catering to grades 11 and 12.
Niche, an organization that evaluates and ranks schools spanning from elementary to college levels, compiled these rankings by amalgamating feedback from students, alumni, and parents, in addition to utilizing data from the Department of Education and other relevant sources.
Once again, the Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science, in collaboration with Worcester Polytech Institute, secured the top position.
Each school featured in the top 20 on Niche’s roster garnered an exceptional A+ rating.
Lexington High, the highest-ranking non-entrance exam school, retained its position as the runner-up.
The top 10 slots were completed by Weston High School, Boston Latin, Brookline High School, Newton North High School, Belmont High School, Hopkinton High School, Newton South High School, and Wellesley High School.
On a local scale, Concord-Carlisle Regional (16), Westford Academy (17), and Acton-Boxboro Regional (19) made it to the Niche top 20 high schools in the state.
It is evident that affluent school districts with more homogeneous and prosperous student populations have the financial resources to cultivate an environment conducive to academic success.
Interestingly, this list of top public high schools closely mirrors Stacker’s compilation of the most exclusive communities in the Boston area.
This financial advantage allows these elite schools to maintain low teacher-student ratios in the mid-teens or lower, with Boston Latin’s ratio of 20-1 being the highest among them—a feat that most other public school systems cannot match.
While these or similar communities are likely to continue dominating the rankings of high-performing high schools, it does not imply that public schools with diverse demographics cannot be acknowledged for their academic achievements and practical training.
In a previous acknowledgment of the top academic achievers, we highlighted the progress made by several Fitchburg public schools.
The 2022 MCAS results revealed significant improvements in Fitchburg, with three schools that were previously ranked in the bottom 10% statewide in 2018 showing progress.
As a result, Memorial Middle School and Fitchburg High School no longer required additional supervision and support from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The collaborative efforts of teaching teams and support staff at these schools played a pivotal role in the advancements made by students during the challenging transition back to in-person learning.
Robert Jokela, the former high school superintendent, attributed these academic strides to the dedication of educators who adapted to teach students effectively during difficult times.
The technical high schools in our state cater to a specialized niche that is in high demand, leading to extensive waiting lists at many institutions due to the insufficient emphasis on technical education in the state.
Recently, three students from Nashoba Valley Technical High School were recognized for their academic achievements and the school’s diverse environment.
These students participated in a panel organized by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, celebrating the seal of biliteracy, which recognizes students who excel in English and another language.
The event highlighted the importance of multilingualism in the students’ future career paths, emphasizing the value placed by prospective employers on this skill.
Educational excellence can be achieved through various pathways, showcasing that graduates from technical high schools have equal opportunities for success as students from the top 20 high schools.