Three Philadelphia schools among top 20 PA public schools

Three schools in the School District of Philadelphia have been ranked among the top twenty public schools in Pennsylvania.

According to Niche’s 2025 rankings of the Best Public Middle and High Schools in Pennsylvania, Science Leadership Academy, Central High School, and Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School in Philadelphia were ranked among the top 20 in the state.

The Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School ranked first place among all public high schools and middle schools in Pennsylvania. Central High School came in sixth place, and the Science Leadership Academy ranked 19th.

“The School District of Philadelphia is producing exceptional students who are college and career-ready at some of the finest institutions here in the fastest improving, large urban school district,” said Superintendent Tony B. Watlington, Sr, Ed.D… “ Our five-year strategic plan, Accelerate Philly is our north star in accelerating student achievement and has led to significant increases in math and reading test scores, student attendance, and graduation rates, and a notable decrease in our student dropout rate.” 

Other schools in the top 100 include:

• Academy at Palumbo (#51)
• George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science (#65)
• The Girard Academic Music Program (#81)
• The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush (#89)

“Niche’s rankings are grounded in a robust combination of public data sources, including the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the FBI, alongside millions of firsthand reviews from students, parents, and community members. By using advanced statistical models and removing outdated metrics like SAT/ACT scores, Niche provides a more holistic view of school quality, reflecting today’s evolving educational priorities.” said a statment from the school district.

“The School District of Philadelphia continues to invest in academic excellence and equitable learning offering families the transparency and data they need to make informed choices. The district’s success stories reflect a broader commitment to uplifting students citywide and ensuring all learners have access to a high-quality public education.” the statement continued.