Best Ranked Public Schools in Manhattan

If you are moving to Manhattan, you should make sure that the schools near your new home are high quality and provide your child(ren) with the best opportunities to thrive—now and for the rest of their lives. School-hunting starts early in a child’s life, and a real estate agent can help you make the right real estate purchase near the best-ranked schools in Manhattan.

Best Preschool and Primary Schools in Manhattan

Private schools are not the only schools that provide high-quality education. Manhattan’s public and primary schools are both excellent. Here are some top schools in the area:

1. Manhattan Nursery School

Manhattan Nursery School is located on W. 32nd St. The average parent rating is 4.3 stars out of 5. Children learn social skills, cognitive learning, self-help strategies, and effective communication, all at an appropriate level for their individual development. Manhattan Nursery School enrolls infants, toddlers, and UPK learners. [ Manhattan Nursery School ]

2. P.S. 033 Chelsea Prep

Chelsea Prep is a public school for all children from UPK students to high schoolers. The Business Insider ranks Chelsea Prep 9 out of 10 for Academics and 9.2 out of 10 for Academic Expectations. Currently, Chelsea Prep serves nearly 400 students in Chelsea. [ P.S. 033 Chelsea Prep ]

3. Girls Prep Charter School

Girls Prep is a collective of schools in NYC. The average rating is 4.8 stars out of 5. Girls Prep Charter School is located on the Lower East Side. The school has an elementary school and a middle school on the Lower East Side. It accepts girls from kindergarten through 8th grade. [ Girls Prep Charter School ]

4. PS 290 Manhattan New School

Manhattan New School’s Great Schools rating is 10 out of 10. This public school is located on East 82nd Street. It educates children from kindergarten through 5th grade. [ PS 290 Manhattan New School ]

Best Middle School and High Schools in Manhattan

Junior high and high school are critical times to get your child into a good school. You need engaging classrooms, vibrant arts and social communities, after-school activities, and the best chances for your child to go to college. Here are a few favorites in Manhattan:

1. Manhattan Comprehensive Night and Day High School

The average rating for the school is 4.7 stars out of 5. The high school prides itself on preparing all students for college and successful employment. The school is open later than most because it accommodates students who need extra help to succeed. The students at the high school often have other responsibilities: they are children of immigrants, they are returning to college, or they are enrolling with fewer credits than most. [ Manhattan Comprehensive Night and Day High School ]

2. Urban Academy Laboratory High

This high school has more than 150 students in grades 9 through 12. Located on the Upper East Side, this school received 9.6 out of 10 from the Business Insider for academic expectations. The Academy has a rigorous academic curriculum, and it creates a creative and collaborates space for teaching professionals and their students. [ Urban Academy Laboratory High ]

3. Beacon High School

Beacon High is located on the West Side. It is an alternative high school that has a strong focus on arts and technology. It’s Great Schools rating is a perfect 10 out of 10. [ Beacon High School ]

4. JHS 167 Robert J Wagner

This public school is consistently ranked high on most sites. The middle school hosts technology and computer education week-long celebrations. It has a rigorous academic schedule, and its goal is to prepare students for college, successful careers, and global citizenship. [ JHS 167 Robert J Wagner ]

5. Cathedral High School

Cathedral High is located on East 56th St. The school is an all-girls learning academy that prepares young women for successful careers and college educations. The school offers many sports and clubs, all centered around personal and religious enrichment. Cathedral High treasures its strong Catholic values and commitment to moral integrity. [ Cathedral High School ]