CHESTER COUNTY, PA — Chester County schools once again demonstrated academic excellence in the newly released 2025-2026 U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools Rankings, with several institutions earning prominent spots at the state, metro, and national levels.
Downingtown STEM Academy Leads the County
The Downingtown STEM Academy solidified its reputation as one of the region’s premier institutions, ranking #22 nationally and #2 among Pennsylvania high schools. It also secured the #2 spot in the Philadelphia metro area and remains the top-ranked school in the Downingtown Area School District.
Its continued national prominence reflects the academy’s strong emphasis on advanced coursework, college readiness, and STEM-focused learning that prepares students for competitive universities and careers in technology-driven industries.
Unionville and Conestoga Earn High Honors
Two other Chester County schools earned positions among Pennsylvania’s top ten:
- Unionville High School in Kennett Square ranked #320 nationally, #5 in Pennsylvania, and #6 in the Philadelphia metro area. The school also secured an impressive #119 ranking among the nation’s best STEM-focused high schools.
- Conestoga High School in Berwyn achieved a #491 national ranking, placing it #10 statewide and #10 in the metro area, while also earning a #161 STEM ranking.
These distinctions highlight the schools’ consistent performance in student achievement, curriculum breadth, and college readiness.
Chester County Charter Schools Make an Impact
Among the county’s charter institutions, Renaissance Academy Charter School in Phoenixville leads the way, ranked #1,342 nationally, #37 in Pennsylvania, and #29 in the Philadelphia metro area. Other Chester County charter schools recognized in the rankings include:
- Collegium Charter School in Exton — #2,565 nationally and #98 statewide
- Avon Grove Charter School in West Grove — #4,723 nationally and #190 statewide
While these schools rank lower nationally, their inclusion reflects growing recognition of alternative education options within the county.
Great Valley Shines in STEM Education
The Great Valley High School in Malvern emerged as another strong performer in science, technology, engineering, and math education, earning a #902 national ranking and #339 among the nation’s top STEM high schools.
A National Perspective
This year’s rankings evaluated nearly 24,000 public high schools nationwide, with 18,000 schools ranked using six performance indicators. The methodology measured student achievement on state assessments, graduation rates, curriculum breadth, college readiness, and success in serving underserved populations.
Nationally, BASIS Tucson North in Arizona claimed the top overall spot, while Julia R. Masterman Secondary School in Philadelphia ranked #8 nationally, underscoring Pennsylvania’s strong academic showing on the national stage.
Chester County’s Competitive Edge
With multiple schools earning recognition in national, STEM, and charter categories, Chester County continues to establish itself as a hub for educational excellence. For families considering their options, the rankings reinforce the county’s reputation for delivering high-quality education across diverse learning environments.
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