New 2026 rankings from Niche highlight the top K-12 schools and districts in the U.S. — plus top public and private high schools, elementary schools, and more
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Niche, the country’s leading platform connecting students and families with schools, has released its 2026 Best Schools and Districts in America rankings. Covering more than 93,000 public schools, 30,000 private schools, and 11,000 school districts nationwide, these rankings provide families with a clear, holistic view of the best educational options in their area and across the U.S.
The rankings include categories such as Best Public and Private High Schools, as well as Best School Districts overall, with breakdowns by state, metro area, STEM and arts programs, boarding options, elementary and middle schools, and other specialized categories. Families can search, filter, and compare schools based on what matters most to them — from academics and extracurriculars to location and community fit.
2026 Best Public High Schools in America
- North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NC)
- The Davidson Academy (NV)
- MA Academy for Math & Science (MA)
- South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (SC)
- Stuyvesant High School (NY)
2026 Best Private High Schools in America
- The Hotchkiss School (CT)
- Phillips Exeter Academy (NH)
- Choate Rosemary Hall (CT)
- The Brearley School (NY)
- The Lawrenceville School (NJ)
2026 Best School Districts in America
- Glenbrook High School District 225 (IL)
- Syosset Central School District (NY)
- Roslyn Union Free School District (NY)
- New Trier Township High School District No. 203 (IL)
- Township High School District No. 113 (IL)
“Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions a family can make,” said Luke Skurman, founder and CEO of Niche. “Our K-12 rankings bring together rigorous data and real experiences from students, parents and educators. This gives families the clarity to choose schools where their children can succeed academically, thrive socially, and build a strong foundation for their future.”
About the Niche Rankings Methodology
Niche’s 2026 Best Schools and Districts rankings combine user input with quantitative data to provide a comprehensive view of each school. Key factors include academics, teachers, resources, facilities, extracurriculars, and more. Data sources include:
- Three million reviews from students, parents, and teachers capturing real-world experiences
- School-reported statistics, including enrollment, graduation rates, test performance, and more
- Vetted federal datasets such as from the U.S. Department of Education
- Additional information on resources, programs, facilities, and athletics
This approach ensures the rankings reflect both hard data and the lived experiences of students and families. For more detail on the grades and rankings process, visit the K-12 Rankings Methodology page.
Connecting Schools and Communities
Because school choice is closely tied to community choice, Niche’s rankings extend beyond classrooms. Families can also explore Niche’s Best Places to Live rankings, which evaluate neighborhoods, towns, and cities across the US on factors such as housing, safety, and quality of life — giving families the full picture view when considering a move.
Access the full list of 2026 Best Schools and Districts rankings here: niche.com/k12/rankings
About Niche
Niche
is modernizing the way students and families choose their best-fit schools and colleges. We believe it shouldn’t be hard to find where you belong, so it’s our mission to make it easy, transparent and free. More than 70 million people annually use Niche’s comprehensive school profiles, student and alumni reviews, data-driven rankings and easy-to-use search tools to empower informed decision-making. Niche is also transforming the college admissions process with our nationally recognized direct admissions program. It allows colleges to accept students based on their Niche Profile, offering real-time acceptance and scholarship opportunities. See how Niche Direct Admissions® can simplify your college journey.
Press Contact:
Zach Chatham
PR Manager
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