Berks high school rankings 2026
Two Berks County High Schools have been named among the 100 best in Pennsylvania by a national publication.
U.S. News & World Report in August released its annual list of the top high high schools in the country, which includes state-by-state rankings.
Kutztown High School Principal Dr. Matthew Campbell, right, and Advanced Placement government teacher Chris Schumacher with AP students. The school achieved a high ranking in the U.S. News World Report survey of American high schools. (Bill Uhrich – Reading Eagle)
The 2026-27 list put Kutztown High School at the top of the stack in Berks and 76th in the state. Kutztown was ranked number one in the county in last year’s list and 66th in Pennsylvania. Wyomissing also ranked in the top 100.
“As a district, we are excited and proud to again be ranked among the top high schools in Pennsylvania and at the top of Berks County,” Kutztown Superintendent Dr. Christian Temchatin said. “This recognition reflects a K-12 system that prepares students to perform academically and provides access to rigorous course options.”
Temchatin said a distinction such as the U.S. News & World Report ranking represents a community-wide commitment to education, where families value learning, students strive to excel and our staff challenges students to be their best.
It also represents the incredible job the high school’s teachers and staff do in guiding students toward academic success while helping them discover their strengths, interests and future pathways, he added.
“While recognitions like this affirm the academic achievement of our students and the strength of our programs, we are just as proud of the experience we provide for students each day through the relationships they build, the opportunities they have, the sense of belonging they develop and the preparation they receive to confidently take their next step beyond Kutztown,” Temchatin said. “Kutztown is a wonderful place to learn, grow and live.”
Wyomissing Area Junior/Senior High School (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Wyomissing Junior-Senior High School was ranked 79th in Pennsylvania. A year ago it ranked 70th in the state.
“Seeing Wyomissing Area Junior Senior High School recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the second-ranked public high school in Berks County and 79th in Pennsylvania is certainly something to celebrate,” Superintendent Dr. Melissa Woodard said. “But what makes me most proud is knowing that this recognition represents the work of so many people who care deeply about our students and our schools.”
Woodard said that each day teachers and staff challenge, encourage and support students, and that students show up to school ready to learn, take on challenges, discover their strengths and pursue opportunities that help them grow.
She also pointed out that success in education is a community endeavor.
“Behind every achievement is a teacher who believed in a student, a family who provided support and a community that continues to believe in the importance of a strong public education,” she said.
Woodard said she is proud of the culture in Wyomissing, one built on high expectations, strong relationships and a genuine commitment to students.
“Rankings provide one snapshot of a school, but the true measure of our success is the impact we have on the lives of our students,” she said. “This recognition belongs to our entire Spartan community.
“I am grateful for the dedication of our faculty and staff, the partnership of our families and, most of all, the hard work and accomplishments of our students,” she added. “We are proud of what our Spartans have achieved, and we remain committed to making sure every student has the opportunity to learn, grow and find their own path to success.”
The list placed Oley Valley in third place in Berks, the same spot it held last year. It was slotted in at 125th in the state after being ranked 84th in Pennsylvania in the 2025-26 list.
U.S. News ranked nearly 18,000 high school across the country, including 675 in Pennsylvania. The rankings were created with the help of North Carolina-based RTI International, a global nonprofit social science research firm.
Schools were rated based on six criteria: college readiness, college curriculum breadth, state assessment proficiency, student assessment performance, underserved student performance and graduation rate.
Nationwide
The top high schools in the U.S., according to the new rankings, are:
#1 Central Magnet School, Murfreesboro, Tenn.
#2 Signature School, Evansville, Ill.
#3 Julia R. Masterman Secondary School, Philadelphia.
#4 Davidson Academy, Reno, Nev.
#5 School Without Walls High School, Washington, D.C.
#6 Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Va.
#7 Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology, Lawrenceville, Ga.
#8 The School for the Talented and Gifted, Dallas
#9 Nikola Tesla STEM High School, Redmond, Wash.
#10 Science Academy STEM Magnet, North Hollywood, Calif.
Pennsylvania
The top high schools in Pennsylvania, according to the new rankings, are:
#1 Julia R. Masterman Secondary School, Philadelphia.
#2 Downingtown STEM Academy, Downingtown.
#3 Central High School, Philadelphia.
#4 New Hope-Solesbury High School, New Hope.
#5 Wilkes-Barre Area School District STEM Academy, Plains.
#6 Harriton High School, Rosemont.
#7 Radnor High School, Radner.
#8 Lower Merion High School, Ardmore.
#9 Peters Township High School, McMurray.
#10 Unionville High School, Kennett Square.
For a full list of rankings visit usnews.com/education/best-high-schools.