Best high schools in Philadelphia for 2026

Key takeaways 

• Philadelphia’s top schools draw students citywide. The Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School ranks No. 1 in Pennsylvania and No. 8 nationally, and admissions aren't tied to neighborhood boundaries, allowing students from across the city to apply.
• Check for potential school closures. Philadelphia officials approved plans in 2026 to shutter 17 schools as early as 2027, making it important to verify a facility's status before moving.
• Admission standards differ by school. Requirements range from grades and test scores to auditions, and the district's school selection application window typically runs from September to October.

For families planning a move, school quality can be as important as commute times, home prices or neighborhood amenities. In Philadelphia, top high schools include nationally ranked magnet schools, STEM-focused campuses and performing arts academies.

The Philadelphia City School District operates 57 high schools. This ranking highlights the 10 highest-rated district high schools in the city based on the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, along with their academic specialties, admission requirements and locations.

U.S. News & World Report ranks Philadelphia district high schools using six measures: college readiness (30%), state assessment proficiency (20%), state assessment performance (20%), graduation rate (10%), underserved student performance (10%) and college curriculum breadth (10%). 

College readiness is often the biggest differentiator among the top schools. U.S. News scores this category based on how many seniors take Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses and exams — and, more importantly, how many pass those exams. Among Philadelphia's top 10 district high schools, college readiness scores range from 13.3 to 95.8.

Students at these schools are far more likely to graduate. Graduation rates range from 89% to 100% among the top 10 schools, compared with about 80% districtwide.

This list focuses on Philadelphia district high schools, so charter schools and nearby suburban schools aren't included.

The top 10 schools in the Philadelphia City School District span college-prep, STEM, music and performing arts programs across a range of neighborhoods in Philadelphia. The table below ranks each school using U.S. News 2025–2026 data, followed by individual profiles.

 Source: U.S. News & World Report

Julia R. Masterman Secondary School ranks No. 1 in Pennsylvania and No. 8 nationally in the U.S. News rankings. The selective grades 5–12 school is known for its strong college-preparatory curriculum, with 99% of students participating in Advanced Placement coursework and a college readiness score of 95.8. The high school serves fewer than 500 students, giving it a smaller feel than many traditional public high schools.

The school is located in Philadelphia's Spring Garden neighborhood, just north of Center City and close to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Fairmount Park. The area offers a mix of historic rowhouses and newer apartment buildings and convenient access to public transportation, making it a popular choice for families who want an urban neighborhood with easy access to downtown amenities.

Founded in 1836, Central High School ranks among the oldest public high schools in the country and is the only public school in the United States authorized to award academic degrees to its graduates. With more than 2,200 students, it is the largest school on this list.

Central High School is located in the Logan neighborhood of North Philadelphia. The area is largely residential, with a mix of detached and semi-detached homes, and offers convenient access to Center City via public transportation. Families considering the neighborhood will find housing options that differ from the more densely developed areas surrounding some of the city's other top-ranked schools.

Academy at Palumbo is a college-preparatory magnet school in South Philadelphia that serves more than 1,100 students. The school offers dual-enrollment opportunities that allow students to earn college credit while still in high school, and admission is based on grades, attendance and test scores.

The school is located in the Bella Vista neighborhood, just south of Center City and a short walk from the Italian Market. Known for its rowhouse-lined streets, neighborhood restaurants and walkability, Bella Vista offers a more residential feel while remaining close to downtown Philadelphia. For families considering a move, the area's housing costs are often lower than those in nearby Center City neighborhoods.

Named for scientist and inventor George Washington Carver, the High School of Engineering and Science is a selective magnet school serving grades 7 through 12. The school emphasizes science, technology, engineering and math education, with academic pathways in fields such as biomedical science, engineering, computer science and psychology. Students also have opportunities to earn college credit through dual-enrollment programs with several Philadelphia-area universities.

The school is located in North Philadelphia near Hunting Park. Admission is open to students across the city and is based on academic performance, attendance and test scores, making it one of Philadelphia's more competitive public school options. Families considering the area will find a mix of rowhouses, longstanding residential blocks and convenient access to major city institutions and transit routes.

The Girard Academic Music Program is a selective grades 5–12 school where every student studies a musical instrument or voice alongside their academic coursework. Admission requires a music audition, making it one of Philadelphia's most specialized public school options.

Located in South Philadelphia at 23rd and Ritner streets, the school serves students from across the city through Philadelphia's school selection process. The surrounding neighborhood is primarily residential, with a mix of rowhouses, local businesses and easy access to parks and public transportation. For families interested in both academics and the arts, Girard Academic Music Program offers a specialized option that differs from the city's more traditional magnet schools.

Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts serves students who want to pursue the arts alongside their academic studies. Students apply to one of seven arts majors: creative writing, instrumental music, visual arts, theater, dance, vocal music or digital media production. Admission includes an audition or portfolio review, depending on the program. The school has a 96% graduation rate and counts Questlove, Leslie Odom Jr. and members of Boyz II Men among its alumni.

The school is located on South Broad Street in Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts district. Its location places students close to many of the city's major cultural institutions and performance venues, including the Kimmel Center, making it a natural fit for students interested in music, theater, dance or visual arts.

Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush is a public magnet school for students interested in the arts. Students audition for programs in visual arts, dance, theater, vocal music or instrumental music, and the school reports a 99% graduation rate.

Located in Far Northeast Philadelphia, the school serves students from across the city through Philadelphia's school selection process. The surrounding area is known for its residential neighborhoods, larger housing stock and quieter, more suburban feel compared with Center City and South Philadelphia. For families looking for an arts-focused education outside the urban core, Benjamin Rush offers a different setting than many of Philadelphia's other top-ranked schools.

Founded in 1848, the Philadelphia High School for Girls is one of the oldest public high schools in the country and one of the few remaining public schools designed exclusively for girls. The selective magnet school enrolls more than 700 students and shares a campus area with Central High School in the Logan neighborhood of North Philadelphia.

Although its 89% graduation rate is the lowest among the schools on this list, it remains well above the Philadelphia district average of about 80%. The school is known for its college-preparatory focus and counts singer Jill Scott and National Education Association President Rebecca S. Pringle among its notable alumni.

Located at Broad Street and Olney Avenue, the school offers convenient access to public transportation and sits in a largely residential section of North Philadelphia. For families considering the area, Logan provides a range of housing options while remaining connected to Center City and other parts of Philadelphia.

Lankenau High School is Philadelphia's only environmental science magnet school. The school serves about 260 students on a 17-acre campus in Upper Roxborough, next to the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education. Its location gives students direct access to hundreds of acres of forests, trails and outdoor learning spaces that support the school's environmental focus.

The school stands out for its 100% graduation rate. Its college readiness score is lower than many other schools on this list, reflecting fewer Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate opportunities than some of Philadelphia's larger magnet schools.

Families considering Lankenau should be aware that the Philadelphia Board of Education approved plans in 2026 that could lead to the school's closure as early as 2027. Because the school's future may change, confirm its enrollment status with the district before making school or housing decisions.

The Science Leadership Academy is said to take a different approach to education than many traditional magnet schools. Founded in 2006, the school uses a project-based learning model built around five core values: inquiry, research, collaboration, presentation and reflection. The school enrolls about 500 students and has a 97% graduation rate.

Located in the Spring Garden neighborhood, the academy is within walking distance of Center City and several of Philadelphia's major educational and cultural institutions. Students also have opportunities to earn college credit through partnerships with Drexel University, the University of Pennsylvania and the Community College of Philadelphia.

For families considering the area, Spring Garden offers a mix of historic rowhouses, newer apartments and convenient access to public transportation, restaurants and museums. Because the school uses Philadelphia's citywide admissions process, students can apply from anywhere in the city rather than needing to live in the neighborhood.

Unlike many school districts, Philadelphia's top high schools aren't tied to where you live. Students can apply to most of the schools on this list through the district's school selection process, which allows families to rank up to five schools.

The catch: Admission is competitive. Most top-ranked schools have academic requirements, and some require auditions or additional application materials. For example, Central High School requires strong grades, attendance and test scores, while schools such as the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts and the Girard Academic Music Program also require auditions.

If you're planning a move to Philadelphia, it's important to understand that admission isn't guaranteed just because you buy a home nearby. Applications are typically submitted during the district's annual school selection window, and requirements vary by school.

Families can find the latest deadlines and eligibility requirements on the School District of Philadelphia's school selection website.

In many suburban communities, highly rated schools can boost home values because attendance is tied to where you live. Philadelphia works differently. Most of the top high schools on this list use a citywide admissions process, which means students can apply from anywhere in the city rather than being assigned based on their address.

For homebuyers, that can mean more flexibility. Families may be able to consider a wider range of neighborhoods while still applying to top-ranked schools, rather than paying a premium to live within a specific school attendance boundary.

Of course, schools are only one factor that influences home prices. Commute times, housing inventory, neighborhood amenities, public transit access and local demand can all play a role in what a home costs.

If you're planning a move to Philadelphia, it's worth researching both the school selection process and the neighborhoods you're considering. School rankings can help narrow your options, but they're only one piece of the homebuying decision.

Related content: 

• What determines property value? Here are 12 factors buyers often overlook.
• Buying a home in 10 steps 

Yes, but Philadelphia residents get priority. Students who live outside the city can apply to district schools if space is available, though they may be required to pay tuition and cannot take a seat that would otherwise go to a Philadelphia resident.

If you're planning a move, timing matters. Families with a signed lease or purchase agreement may qualify for a short grace period while establishing residency, which can help them participate in the admissions process before they officially move into the city.

Before applying, check the School District of Philadelphia's school selection website for current tuition rates, residency requirements and application deadlines.

Spring Garden has the highest concentration of top-ranked schools, with Julia R. Masterman Secondary School and Science Leadership Academy located within a few blocks of each other.

Logan and Olney are home to both Central High School and Philadelphia High School for Girls, which share a campus in North Philadelphia.

South Philadelphia also has several highly ranked options, including the Girard Academic Music Program, the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts and Academy at Palumbo.

Families looking outside Center City will find top-ranked schools in Roxborough and the Far Northeast, offering options across a range of neighborhoods and housing markets.

Because most of Philadelphia's top high schools use a citywide admissions process, students can apply from anywhere in the city, so living nearby is often more about convenience than eligibility.

No. U.S. News ranks charter schools separately from district-operated schools. This list focuses only on the highest-ranked high schools in the Philadelphia City School District. Families interested in charter options will need to review those rankings separately.

Philadelphia is home to some of the highest-ranked public high schools in Pennsylvania. Julia R. Masterman Secondary School ranks No. 1 in Pennsylvania and No. 8 nationally in the latest U.S. News rankings, while several suburban schools also rank among the state's best. Families comparing city and suburban options can use the same U.S. News methodology to evaluate factors such as college readiness, graduation rates and academic performance.

Philadelphia's school selection process typically opens in the fall, with applications submitted several months before students enroll. Families interested in magnet schools, special-admission schools and other choice programs should plan to review requirements and application deadlines before the school year begins.

If you're moving to Philadelphia, it's a good idea to start researching schools during the summer. Admission to many of the city's top-ranked high schools is competitive, and application requirements can include grades, test scores, auditions or interviews, depending on the school.

For the most up-to-date application dates and eligibility requirements, visit the School District of Philadelphia's school selection website.

This updated article was originally reported by Lia Girard.