Top 10 Public High Schools in Pittsburgh
Curated by Chief Revenue Officer Kory White · CRO Syndicate
Top 10 Public High Schools in Pittsburgh
Direct Answer
The Best Overall public high school in the Pittsburgh area is North Allegheny Senior High School in Wexford, a large, well-funded suburban school whose graduation rate above 96%, deep AP catalog, and strong four-year college matriculation routinely place it at the top of regional and statewide rankings.
The Best Value pick is Pittsburgh Allderdice High School in Squirrel Hill, a tuition-free Pittsburgh Public Schools magnet-adjacent comprehensive school that delivers strong AP participation and a diverse, college-bound student body without leaving the city. This list is built for families and students weighing where to enroll across greater Pittsburgh, with a focus on academics, college outcomes, and fit.
Every pick uses real, publicly reported data from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, U.S. News, Niche, and individual districts.
How We Ranked the Top 10
We weighted each school against the priorities families actually care about, drawing on published figures from U.S. News, Niche, GreatSchools, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), and the College Board. The weighting:
- Academic performance (test scores, AP/IB) - 25%
- College and post-grad outcomes - 20%
- Value and cost - 15%
- Teachers and resources - 15%
- Environment and safety - 15%
- Extracurriculars and fit - 10%
A school that posts elite test scores but graduates few students, or wins on reputation but offers thin programs, drops fast. The winners balance all six.
1. North Allegheny Senior High School 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families wanting the region's deepest comprehensive academics and resources
In Wexford, north of the city, North Allegheny Senior High School enrolls roughly 1,800 students in grades 10-12 and anchors one of Pennsylvania's strongest suburban districts. The school posts a graduation rate above 96%, average SAT scores near 1230-1280, and one of the broadest AP catalogs in western Pennsylvania, with high participation and pass rates.
Its student-teacher ratio of about 14:1 supports a wide menu of electives, and graduates regularly enroll at Penn State, Pitt, Carnegie Mellon, and out-of-state research universities. North Allegheny's athletics, music, and STEM programs are perennial regional standouts.
Pros:
- Graduation rate above 96% with strong four-year college enrollment
- One of the deepest AP catalogs in the region
- Standout athletics, marching band, and STEM clubs
- Well-funded with a low student-teacher ratio
Cons:
- Large enrollment means sizable core classes
- Affluent attendance zone limits socioeconomic diversity
Verdict: North Allegheny wins on balance - the deepest comprehensive programming in greater Pittsburgh with outcomes to match.
2. Pittsburgh Allderdice High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: City families wanting a diverse, college-prep comprehensive school 💎 BEST VALUE
Pittsburgh Allderdice High School in Squirrel Hill is the flagship comprehensive school of Pittsburgh Public Schools, enrolling about 1,400 students. Allderdice posts strong AP participation for a city school, a graduation rate near 90%, and a notably diverse student body that mirrors the city itself.
Its proximity to Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh feeds rich enrichment partnerships, and the school sends many graduates to selective colleges, all tuition-free within the city limits. The CAS (Centers for Advanced Study) track offers honors-level rigor.
Pros:
- Free, in-city access to a strong college-prep program
- Diverse student body and rich university partnerships
- CAS honors track for high-achieving students
- Graduation rate near 90% with strong selective-college matriculation
Cons:
- Whole-school outcomes trail the wealthiest suburbs
- Resource levels vary across a large urban district
Verdict: The value champion - strong, diverse, college-prep outcomes free of charge inside Pittsburgh.
3. Mt. Lebanon High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: South Hills families seeking top comprehensive outcomes
Mt. Lebanon High School, in the affluent South Hills suburb of the same name, enrolls about 1,900 students and is a perennial regional leader. It reports a graduation rate near 96%, average SAT scores around 1240, and high AP participation with strong pass rates.
The school's arts, debate, and athletics programs are among the best in the region, and graduates enroll heavily at four-year colleges. The student-teacher ratio sits near 14:1, backed by strong districtwide funding.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 96%
- High AP participation and strong SAT averages
- Top-tier arts, debate, and athletics
- Well-resourced South Hills district
Cons:
- High-pressure academic environment
- Housing premium to live in the attendance zone
Verdict: A balanced South Hills powerhouse - elite academics with deep extracurriculars.
4. Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy
Type: Public Magnet | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: STEM-focused city students seeking a specialized magnet
Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy (Sci-Tech) is a citywide STEM magnet serving grades 6-12 with about 700 students. The high school posts strong AP participation in math and science, a graduation rate near 90%, and a project-based curriculum built around engineering, computer science, and the life sciences.
Its university and industry partnerships in the Oakland research corridor give students lab and internship access rare for a public school, and matriculation skews toward STEM programs at Pitt, Penn State, and Carnegie Mellon.
Pros:
- Specialized 6-12 STEM magnet with project-based learning
- Strong university and industry research partnerships
- Free, citywide magnet admission
- Solid AP participation in math and science
Cons:
- Magnet admission is by lottery and competitive
- Narrow STEM focus may not suit all students
Verdict: The city's premier public STEM option - specialized rigor with real research access.
5. Fox Chapel Area High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families wanting strong academics in a high-performing district
Fox Chapel Area High School, northeast of the city, enrolls about 1,400 students and is one of the region's consistently top-rated schools. It reports a graduation rate near 96%, average SAT scores around 1230, and high AP participation. The school is known for science research, music, and athletics, with strong four-year college matriculation.
The student-teacher ratio is roughly 13:1, and the district's stable funding supports deep electives.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 96%
- Strong AP catalog and science research programs
- Low student-teacher ratio near 13:1
- Stable, well-funded district
Cons:
- Smaller enrollment limits some niche electives
- Affluent zone limits diversity
Verdict: A dependable top-tier comprehensive school with excellent district support.
6. Upper St. Clair High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: South Hills families wanting balanced, high-achieving academics
Upper St. Clair High School in the South Hills enrolls about 1,400 students and is a longstanding regional standout. It posts a graduation rate near 97%, average SAT scores around 1240, and high AP participation with strong pass rates.
The school's athletics, performing arts, and academic competition teams are competitive, and graduates enroll heavily at selective four-year colleges. The student-teacher ratio is near 14:1.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 97%
- High AP participation and strong SAT averages
- Competitive athletics and performing arts
- Well-resourced South Hills district
Cons:
- Intense academic pressure among peers
- Housing premium in the attendance zone
Verdict: A high-achieving, well-rounded school with consistently elite outcomes.
7. Peters Township High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: South suburban families seeking strong academics and athletics
Peters Township High School in McMurray, south of the city, enrolls about 1,300 students and is a perennial high performer in Washington County's most highly rated district. It reports a graduation rate near 97%, average SAT scores around 1230, and high AP participation.
The school's athletics and STEM clubs are competitive, and graduates enroll heavily in four-year colleges. The student-teacher ratio is near 15:1.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 97%
- Strong AP catalog
- Competitive athletics and STEM programs
- Highly rated suburban district
Cons:
- Limited specialized magnet programming
- Affluent zone limits diversity
Verdict: A reliably excellent suburban school with strong academics and athletics.
8. Pine-Richland High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: North suburban families wanting well-rounded, high outcomes
Pine-Richland High School in Gibsonia, north of the city, enrolls about 1,400 students and is one of the region's strongest schools. It posts a graduation rate near 97%, average SAT scores around 1230, and high AP participation. The school is known for athletics, music, and a supportive culture, with strong four-year college matriculation.
The student-teacher ratio is roughly 15:1, backed by stable district funding.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 97%
- Strong AP participation and competition teams
- Standout athletics and music programs
- Supportive, well-funded district
Cons:
- Less program specialization than magnets
- Popular electives fill quickly
Verdict: A consistently strong, well-rounded comprehensive school north of the city.
9. Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12 (Creative and Performing Arts)
Type: Public Magnet (Arts) | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Students pursuing serious training in the arts
Pittsburgh CAPA, the city's Creative and Performing Arts magnet, serves grades 6-12 with about 800 students downtown. The high school pairs a college-prep academic core with conservatory-style training in dance, music, theater, visual arts, and literary arts. CAPA posts a graduation rate near 92% and sends graduates to conservatories and selective colleges alike.
Its downtown cultural-district location and professional partnerships give arts students rare performance and exhibition opportunities.
Pros:
- Conservatory-style arts training plus college-prep academics
- Downtown cultural-district partnerships and venues
- Free, citywide magnet admission by audition
- Strong graduation rate and arts-college matriculation
Cons:
- Audition-based admission is competitive
- Arts focus may not suit STEM-track students
Verdict: The region's premier public arts magnet - serious training for committed young artists.
10. Quaker Valley High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families wanting a small, high-performing district near the city
Quaker Valley High School in Leetsdale, along the Ohio River northwest of the city, enrolls about 600 students and is one of the region's smaller top performers. It reports a graduation rate near 95%, average SAT scores around 1220, and high AP participation relative to its size.
The smaller setting yields a student-teacher ratio near 12:1 and close teacher relationships, with strong four-year college matriculation. Its arts and athletics punch above the school's size.
Pros:
- Low student-teacher ratio near 12:1 with personal attention
- Graduation rate near 95%
- Strong AP participation for a small school
- Close-knit, supportive community
Cons:
- Smaller catalog of advanced electives
- Limited large-program athletics
Verdict: The small-school standout - personal attention and strong outcomes in a tight community.
Which One's Right for You?
What to Look For When Choosing a Public High School
- Graduation and college-going rates - A school that graduates 95%+ of students and sends most to four-year colleges signals consistent outcomes, not just high scores from a few.
- AP/IB depth and pass rates - Look beyond how many courses are offered to how many students actually pass the exams, which reflects real classroom rigor.
- Student-teacher ratio and resources - Smaller ratios and stable, experienced faculty matter more than building age or marketing.
- Magnet vs. Open enrollment - Magnets like Sci-Tech and CAPA offer depth but require admission; top suburban schools like North Allegheny and Mt. Lebanon deliver elite outcomes to all zoned families.
- Environment and safety - Check climate surveys and discipline data, not reputation alone, to gauge whether a student will thrive.
- Program fit - An arts audition at CAPA or a STEM seat at Sci-Tech may serve a specific student far better than a higher overall ranking.
What matters less than marketing implies: a school's national ranking number, its newest building, or its average SAT alone. Fit, program access, and a supportive teacher relationship affect a student's outcome far more than a single headline figure.
FAQ
Which public high school is the best overall in Pittsburgh? North Allegheny Senior High School in Wexford earns the top spot for its deep AP catalog, graduation rate above 96%, and strong four-year college matriculation across one of Pennsylvania's strongest suburban districts.
What is the best value public high school in Pittsburgh? Pittsburgh Allderdice High School in Squirrel Hill is our best value - it delivers strong AP participation, a diverse student body, and selective-college matriculation tuition-free inside the city.
Which Pittsburgh public high school is best for STEM? Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy (Sci-Tech) is the most specialized, with project-based STEM and Oakland-corridor research partnerships; North Allegheny and Fox Chapel are also strong STEM choices.
Do the top Pittsburgh public high schools require an application? The magnets - Sci-Tech and CAPA - require admission (lottery or audition), while suburban schools like North Allegheny, Mt. Lebanon, and Upper St. Clair are open to families in their attendance zones.
Which suburbs have the best public high schools near Pittsburgh? The North Hills (North Allegheny, Pine-Richland, Fox Chapel) and the South Hills (Mt. Lebanon, Upper St. Clair, Peters Township) dominate the suburban rankings.
Is a comprehensive school or a magnet better in Pittsburgh? Both can be excellent - comprehensive schools like North Allegheny offer the broadest catalogs and athletics, while magnets like Sci-Tech and CAPA offer specialized STEM or arts training; the right fit depends on the student's focus.
Bottom Line
For Pittsburgh-area families, North Allegheny Senior High School is our Best Overall public high school - its deep AP catalog, 96%+ graduation rate, and strong college matriculation set the regional standard. Pittsburgh Allderdice High School is our Best Value, delivering strong AP participation and a diverse, college-bound student body tuition-free inside the city.
If your priority is specialized STEM or serious arts training, use the decision tree above to route yourself to Sci-Tech or CAPA instead. Choose on program fit, outcomes, and access - not a single ranking number - and your student will be set up to succeed.
Sources
- U.S. News - Best Pennsylvania High Schools rankings
- Niche - Best Public High Schools in the Pittsburgh Area
- GreatSchools - Pittsburgh school ratings
- Pennsylvania Department of Education - Future Ready PA Index
- College Board - AP program data
- NCES - National Center for Education Statistics school search
- Pittsburgh Public Schools - high schools and magnets
- North Allegheny School District
- Mt. Lebanon School District
- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - local education coverage
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