2 Hudson County Public Schools Make U.S. News 'Best High School' List

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — The magazine U.S. News & World Report has released its annual rankings of the best high schools in the state and country — and a few Hudson County institutions made the lists.

The 2026-2027 Best High School Rankings, released Monday, include not only regular public high schools, but also countywide magnet schools, public charter schools, and specialized STEM schools that can pick and choose their students.

However, private and parochial schools are on a separate list.

Two Hudson County high schools made the list of the top 25 in New Jersey.

Two At The Top

Among the top 50, High Tech High School in Secaucus was ranked 17 in New Jersey, and 334 nationally. It's part of the Hudson County Schools of Technology, a group of county-run public schools. Students must submit a portfolio and pick a major to be accepted into High Tech.

Jose Marti STEM Academy in Union City also made the top 50, coming in at 27 statewide and 474 nationally.

The top 10 public schools on the state list are all regional, specialized, or magnet schools.

See which public schools in nearby Bergen County made the list here.

The top three schools on the New Jersey list are:

1. High Technology High School, Lincroft — 28 nationally
2. Edison Academy Magnet School, Edison — 40 nationally
3. Union County Magnet High School, Scotch Plains — 59 nationally

U.S. News said they evaluated about 27,000 eligible public high schools nationwide and ranked nearly 18,000 of them. In New Jersey, they looked at 522 high schools in 347 districts.

Schools are usually evaluated on how effectively they serve all students, including underserved populations, with college readiness specifically measured, the magazine said.

Find out more and see the New Jersey list here: Here’s Where Your High School Ranks In New Report