Boston, August 21, 2025
News Summary
Boston Latin School has been recognized as the top high school in Massachusetts, achieving a national ranking of 46th overall with a remarkable score of 99.74. The school boasts a graduation rate of 98% and 94% of its students successfully passing at least one Advanced Placement (AP) exam. The ranking highlights Massachusetts’s strong performance in high school education, with 43% of its high schools in the top 25% nationally, outpacing neighboring states like Connecticut and New Jersey.
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Boston Latin School named top high school in Massachusetts; ranks 46th nationally
Boston Latin School has been ranked as the best high school in Massachusetts by U.S. News & World Report, placing 46th nationally with an overall score of 99.74. The school reported a graduation rate of 98%, and 94% of students passed at least one Advanced Placement (AP) exam
Key follow-up placements and state performance
The runner-up in the state is Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School in Hadley, which is ranked 96th nationally. Massachusetts leads other states in the concentration of top-performing schools: 43% of the state’s high schools are in the top 25% nationally. Connecticut and New Jersey follow with 41% and 40%, respectively.
How the rankings were determined
The national assessment evaluated nearly 18,000 high schools across the United States using a six-factor methodology:
- College readiness — 30%
- State assessment proficiency — 20%
- State assessment performance — 20%
- Underserved student performance — 10%
- College curriculum breadth — 10%
- Graduation rate — 10%
Specialty categories and other notable results
In the top STEM high schools category, nine Massachusetts schools are included among the top 50 nationally. Concord Carlisle High School is the highest-ranked Massachusetts school in STEM at No. 16. In a separate ranking focused on charter high schools, three Massachusetts institutions placed in the national top 50: Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School (No. 22), Sturgis Charter Public School (No. 38), and Mystic Valley Regional Charter School (No. 47).
Additional notable Massachusetts placements
Lexington High School is another Massachusetts school appearing in the national rankings, at 118th nationally. The top-ranked high school in the U.S. for this cycle is identified as BASIS Tucson North in Arizona.
Purpose and use of the rankings
The rankings are presented as a tool to help families and communities evaluate high school performance and make informed decisions about secondary education options. The methodology combines college- and state-assessment measures with indicators of how schools serve underserved students and provide a broad college curriculum.
What this means for students and families
High placement in these rankings typically signals strong outcomes on standardized assessments, high graduation rates, and broad access to college-level coursework. Families reviewing the list can use the national and category rankings to compare schools on multiple performance measures, while also checking local context such as available programs, feeder patterns, and application or admission processes where applicable.
FAQ
How many schools were evaluated?
Nearly 18,000 high schools were evaluated in the national ranking process.
What factors determine a school’s rank?
Rankings are based on six factors: college readiness (30%), state assessment proficiency (20%), state assessment performance (20%), underserved student performance (10%), college curriculum breadth (10%), and graduation rate (10%).
Which Massachusetts school ranked highest in STEM?
Concord Carlisle High School is the highest-ranked Massachusetts school in the STEM category at No. 16 nationally.
Which Massachusetts charter schools made the top 50 national list?
Three charter schools appear in the national top 50 for charters: Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School (No. 22), Sturgis Charter Public School (No. 38), and Mystic Valley Regional Charter School (No. 47).
How should families use these rankings?
Families can use the rankings as one data point among others—academic programs, extracurricular offerings, school culture, location, and admissions requirements—to assess potential high schools.
Quick reference table: Selected Massachusetts results and national context
| School | National Rank | Overall Score / Noted Metrics | Category / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Latin School | 46 | Overall score: 99.74; Graduation rate: 98%; AP pass rate: 94% | Top-ranked in Massachusetts |
| Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School (Hadley) | 96 | Charter national ranking: No. 22 | Runner-up in Massachusetts; charter top-50 |
| Concord Carlisle High School | N/A (STEM category) | STEM category rank: 16 | Highest Massachusetts school in STEM category |
| Lexington High School | 118 | N/A | Noted Massachusetts placement |
| Sturgis Charter Public School | N/A (charter list) | Charter national ranking: No. 38 | Charter top-50 |
| Mystic Valley Regional Charter School | N/A (charter list) | Charter national ranking: No. 47 | Charter top-50 |
| BASIS Tucson North (Arizona) | 1 | N/A | Top-ranked school nationally |
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Additional Resources
- Boston.com: Best High Schools in MA Rankings
- CBS News: U.S. News Best High Schools – Massachusetts
- MassLive: Best Public High Schools in Massachusetts
- Boston Globe: Massachusetts Best Public High Schools
- Boston 25 News: New Report Ranks Top 100 High Schools in Massachusetts
- Wikipedia: High School
- Google Search: Best high schools in Massachusetts
- Google Scholar: High school education Massachusetts
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School
- Google News: Massachusetts high school rankings
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, 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 Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
