News Summary
Pittsburgh and its southwestern Pennsylvania region have received accolades for their academic institutions as Niche publishes its annual ranking of the Best Schools in Pennsylvania. Mercersburg Academy was named the best high school in the state, while notable schools from the region like Shady Side Academy and Winchester Thurston School also made the top 25. With Niche’s rankings highlighting the strong performance of public and private institutions, the competitive landscape of education in Pittsburgh is reaffirmed.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — Niche Releases 2025 High School Rankings Highlight Regional Excellence
The city of Pittsburgh and the surrounding southwestern Pennsylvania region have been recognized for their strong academic institutions as Niche has published its annual ranking of the Best Schools in Pennsylvania for 2025. The rankings feature both private and public high schools, with particular attention to the performance and overall quality of institutions within the area.
Top-Ranked Schools in Pennsylvania
At the statewide level, Mercersburg Academy in Franklin County has been identified as the best high school in Pennsylvania. Additionally, it holds the distinction of being the 89th-best private high school in the United States. Following that, Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia ranks as the second-best high school in the state, and The Episcopal Academy in Delaware County comes in third.
Regional Highlights: Southwestern Pennsylvania
Within southwestern Pennsylvania, only three schools make it into the top 25 high schools in the state. These schools are:
- Shady Side Academy
- Winchester Thurston School
- The Ellis School
This limited number underscores the competitive landscape of the region’s public and private high schools.
Philadelphia Area Dominates Regional Rankings
Of the top 25 high schools in Pennsylvania, 19 are located within the Philadelphia metropolitan area. This concentration indicates the region’s substantial educational resources and diverse school offerings that contribute to their top-tier rankings.
Evaluation Criteria and Data Points
Niche’s rankings are derived from seven weighted factors to assess each school’s quality, including:
- Academic performance based on test scores and college readiness
- School culture and diversity metrics
- Availability and quality of sports, clubs, and activities
- Availability of resources, facilities, and programs
- Feedback from surveys of parents, teachers, and students
The combination of these factors provides a comprehensive view of each school’s strengths and characteristics.
Notable Public Schools in Pittsburgh’s Suburban Regions
Several public high schools in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area have earned recognition based on their academic outcomes and student-to-teacher ratios:
- Beaver Area School District: 644 students, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 16:1 and a Niche grade of B+
- Trinity Area School District: 1,093 students, a ratio of 15:1, and a grade of B+
- Pittsburgh Public Schools: multiple locations with varying enrollments:
- 542 students, 8:1 ratio, grade B+
- 616 students, 16:1 ratio, grade B+
- 845 students, 17:1 ratio, grade B+
- 1,362 students, 13:1 ratio, grade A-
- North Hills School District: 1,383 students, 14:1 ratio, grade A-
- Bethel Park School District: 1,338 students, 14:1 ratio, grade A-
- Fox Chapel Area School District: 1,283 students, 14:1 ratio, grade A+
- Upper St. Clair School District: 1,288 students, 14:1 ratio, grade A+
- Mt. Lebanon School District: 1,840 students, 15:1 ratio, grade A+
- North Allegheny School District: 2,666 students, 13:1 ratio, grade A+
Summary of Regional Educational Quality
Overall, the data highlights multiple high schools with grades of A and A+, underscoring strong academic performance, favorable student-to-teacher ratios, and well-resourced environments across metropolitan and suburban districts.
Conclusion
The rankings demonstrate that Pittsburgh and its surrounding regions maintain a competitive presence in Pennsylvania’s educational landscape. With high-performing private and public schools, the region continues to provide students with quality education options, reaffirming its reputation for academic excellence in 2025.
Michael Guise, a CBS Pittsburgh web producer, compiled this overview of the latest school rankings based on publicly available data and evaluation criteria.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- CBS News: Best High Schools Southwestern Pennsylvania
- Google Search: Best High Schools in Pennsylvania
- WPXI: Best Public High Schools Pittsburgh Metro Area
- Wikipedia: Education in Pennsylvania
- Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh Schools Class Rank and Mental Health
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School
- Stacker: Best Public High Schools Pittsburgh Metro Area
- Google News: Pennsylvania High School Rankings
Author: STAFF HERE VIRGINIA BEACH WRITER
VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and the American Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Virginia Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visit Virginia Beach, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense that power the local economy such as the Virginia Beach Convention Center and Northrop Grumman. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
