Best High Schools in Philadelphia, PA (2025-26)

A: 12B: 7C: 7D: 26F: 20

26% of the 72 ranked high schools in Philadelphia, PA earn an A or B (12 A grades, 7 B, 7 C, 26 D, 20 F), against 50% of high schools nationwide. 56 schools meet or beat the proficiency projected from their student context (78% here, 74% nationally), and 32 exceed it. On average 29% of tested students meet the state bar against a projected 24% (national averages: 44% actual, 41% projected).

The biggest overperformers, by actual proficiency above projection: Multicultural Academy (43% against 11%, C-), Hill Freedman World Academy (45% against 15%, C-), Science Leadership Academy (75% against 47%, A+), Parkway Center City Middle College (64% against 38%, A-), Franklin Towne Chs (56% against 31%, B).

Districts with the most schools in the top quarter (the top 18): Philadelphia City SD (8).

The largest ranked high schools: Northeast HS (3,352 students, D+, #27), Philadelphia Performing Arts (2,721 students, A, #8), Central HS (2,364 students, A+, #2).

Of the top 25, 10 are magnet schools and 14 are charters. Selective and specialised schools tend to post high actual scores; the projection column is the fairer comparison for a neighborhood school.

What is the best high school in Philadelphia, PA?

Academy At Palumbo in Philadelphia ranks first among the 72 ranked high schools in Philadelphia, PA with a SchoolGrade of A+, 78% of tested students meeting the state bar against a projected 75%.

How are high schools in Philadelphia, PA ranked?

By SchoolGrade, the 2025-26 model that scores each school's actual test proficiency against the level projected for its student context, then by actual proficiency to break ties. Regular public schools that are open, not fully online and have at least 30 students are ranked; the rest are listed below the table with the reason.

How many high schools does Philadelphia, PA have?

SchoolGrade grades 85 public high schools in Philadelphia, PA; 72 are ranked here and 13 are listed as not ranked.