US News 2026 rankings spotlight top high schools

U.S. News & World Report released its 2026-2027 Best High Schools rankings, evaluating nearly 18,000 public high schools nationwide from roughly 27,000 eligible, with Massachusetts leading the nation in top-tier representation and New Jersey following. In Pennsylvania, suburban and wealthier districts around Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Harrisburg dominate the top lists, including Hershey High School and several Cumberland Valley, Camp Hill, and Palmyra-area schools, while Pittsburgh-area high schools also show strong national placement. Nationally, the San Jose area topped metropolitan rankings, and Illinois had a notable presence with 177 schools in top 25% and 40 in the top 5%, despite some variation across the state. New Jersey’s top performers include Bergen County Academies and several Bergen, Morris, and Essex-area schools ranking among the state’s best, with multiple programs achieving top national standings. Across the Pittsburgh region, Upper Saint Clair stood as the highest-ranked local school nationally, and Fox Chapel Area was the top Pittsburgh-area school within the state, reflecting a consistent regional strength in the latest rankings.