Best High Schools in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

Part of our Best Schools in Allegheny County guide.

Introduction

Allegheny County is home to some of the most academically accomplished public high schools in Pennsylvania — and honestly, in the entire country. Whether you're looking at the leafy suburbs north of Pittsburgh, the well-established communities to the south and west, or the city's own specialized schools, there's a remarkable concentration of high-performing options here. For families who care deeply about where their kids spend those critical four years, this county deserves a serious look.

What sets the top Allegheny County high schools apart isn't just test scores — it's the culture of achievement that tends to run through these communities. These are places where academic expectations are high, extracurriculars are robust, and college preparation is taken seriously. The schools on this list rank in the top tier statewide, and several are genuinely elite by any national measure. Here's a closer look at the ten best high schools in Allegheny County right now.

1. Fox Chapel Area High School — Fox Chapel Area SD, Pittsburgh

Fox Chapel Area High School sits at the very top of our rankings for Allegheny County, scoring at the 100th percentile in both math and science and the 99th percentile in English — an extraordinary performance by any measure. The Fox Chapel area itself is one of Pittsburgh's most prestigious addresses, a community of wooded ravines and riverside neighborhoods just northeast of the city that has long attracted professionals, academics, and families who place a premium on education. This school tends to appeal to families who want a large, well-resourced public school with the kind of academic firepower you'd associate with top private institutions — without the tuition bill.

2. Mt Lebanon Senior High School — Mt Lebanon SD, Pittsburgh

Mt Lebanon is one of Pittsburgh's most storied suburban communities, and its senior high school lives up to the reputation — scoring at the 100th percentile in English and 99th in science, making it one of the strongest all-around high schools in the state. The Mount Lebanon neighborhood, just south of the city, has a classic, walkable small-town feel with tree-lined streets and a tight-knit community identity that extends right into the school culture. Families who want a high school with deep traditions, strong academics across every subject, and a community that genuinely takes pride in its schools tend to find Mt Lebanon a perfect fit.

3. Pine-Richland High School — Pine-Richland SD, Gibsonia

Tucked into the northern suburbs near Gibsonia, Pine-Richland High School ranks at the 98th percentile in English and 99th in both math and science — numbers that put it firmly among Pennsylvania's elite. The Pine-Richland district has grown significantly over the past two decades as families have moved north of Pittsburgh in search of newer construction and excellent schools, and the high school reflects that energy: it's a community on the rise, with a student body that tends to be motivated and college-focused. If you're considering a move to the Richland Township or Hampton area, Pine-Richland is a major reason families choose this corridor.

4. Upper Saint Clair High School — Upper St. Clair SD, Pittsburgh

Upper Saint Clair High School is a perennial powerhouse in southwestern Pennsylvania, scoring at the 100th percentile in English and 98th in science — and it's the kind of school that ambitious, academically-driven families specifically relocate to be part of. The Upper St. Clair community, situated in the southern suburbs of Pittsburgh, has a well-earned reputation as one of the most desirable places to raise a family in the region, with excellent infrastructure, high household incomes, and parents who are deeply engaged in their children's education. Students here tend to pursue rigorous coursework and go on to highly selective colleges, and that culture of achievement is palpable throughout the school.

5. South Fayette Township High School — South Fayette Township SD, McDonald

South Fayette Township High School might be the most impressive story on this list in terms of trajectory — this school, located in McDonald on Pittsburgh's southwestern fringe, has quietly climbed into the ranks of the county's very best, now sitting at the 95th percentile in English, 97th in math, and 97th in science. The South Fayette area has seen substantial growth as young families discover it offers outstanding schools without the premium price tag of some of Pittsburgh's more established suburbs. For parents who want top-tier academics in a community that still has a bit of a small-town feel, South Fayette is genuinely worth a serious look.

Score Trends — Top 5

Fox Chapel Area High School is showing solid improvement across the board, with English scores rising from 90 to 92 and Math jumping from 86 to 90—a particularly impressive +4 gain in Math. Mt Lebanon Senior High School remains largely strong with English climbing from 93 to 94, though Math dipped slightly from 83 to 81, suggesting some challenges in their quantitative instruction. Pine-Richland High School presents a mixed picture: while their Math improved +3 points (77 to 80), their English scores took a notable hit, dropping 5 points from 95 to 90, making them worth watching going forward. Upper Saint Clair High School continues its trajectory as a top performer, with English reaching 95 and Math gaining 4 points to hit 79, demonstrating consistent strength in both subjects. South Fayette Township High School is the outlier in this group, with concerning declines in both English (-3 points) and especially Math (-6 points, from 80 to 74), signaling potential instruction or resource issues that deserve attention.

6. Hampton High School — Hampton Township SD, Allison Park

Hampton High School, serving the Allison Park community just north of Pittsburgh, earns the 98th percentile in English and 97th in science — a strong, well-rounded performance that reflects the academically serious culture of Hampton Township. The area has a suburban, family-friendly character with good access to Pittsburgh while still feeling distinctly removed from the city's hustle, and Hampton's schools are a big part of why families choose to put down roots here. Parents who want a school where kids are pushed academically but still have access to strong arts, athletics, and extracurricular programming will find Hampton a comfortable, high-achieving home.

7. North Allegheny High School — North Allegheny SD, Wexford

North Allegheny High School in Wexford is one of the largest and most comprehensive high schools on this list, and it earns its place in the top ten with 97th percentile scores in both English and science. The North Allegheny district stretches across a swath of the northern suburbs, and Wexford in particular has become one of Pittsburgh's most popular addresses for families — with good reason, as the combination of newer development, convenient highway access, and excellent schools makes it an easy choice. North Allegheny tends to appeal to families who want the breadth of a large school — a wide range of AP courses, competitive sports programs, extensive arts offerings — alongside academic results that rival much smaller, more boutique programs.

8. Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy — Pittsburgh SD, Allegheny

Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy offers something genuinely different from the suburban schools on this list: it's a specialized magnet high school within the Pittsburgh Public Schools system, and it earns the 93rd percentile in English, 96th in math, and 96th in science. Located in the city itself, SciTech draws motivated students from across Pittsburgh who are specifically drawn to STEM-focused learning, and the result is a student body with a distinctive intellectual culture and a strong sense of shared purpose. For city families — or families willing to commute — who have a student with a genuine passion for science, technology, or math, this school can be a remarkable fit.

9. Quaker Valley High School — Quaker Valley SD, Leetsdale

Quaker Valley High School serves a collection of small, characterful communities along the Ohio River northwest of Pittsburgh — places like Leetsdale, Sewickley, and Edgeworth that have a quiet, historic elegance to them. The school scores at the 92nd percentile in English, 97th in math, and 94th in science, making it one of the stronger math-focused schools on this list. Quaker Valley tends to attract families who want a smaller, more intimate school environment — the district isn't large, which means students often have closer relationships with teachers and more opportunities to stand out. If the riverfront communities northwest of Pittsburgh appeal to you, the quality of schooling here is a genuine asset.

10. Thomas Jefferson High School — West Jefferson Hills SD, Jefferson Hills

Thomas Jefferson High School rounds out our top ten with a standout English score at the 98th percentile, complemented by an 87th percentile in math and 95th in science. TJ, as it's known locally, serves the Jefferson Hills and West Jefferson Hills communities in the southern suburbs — a part of Allegheny County that has a more relaxed, working-class suburban character compared to some of the more affluent communities further in. The school has a loyal following among local families and a strong sense of community pride, and its academic profile makes it one of the better-kept secrets in the county. Families who are priced out of Upper St. Clair or Mt Lebanon but still want excellent schools should absolutely have Thomas Jefferson on their radar.

Score Trends — #6-10

Hampton High School and Pittsburgh Science and Technology are both experiencing notable struggles, with Hampton's Math plummeting 6 points to 70 and Pittsburgh Science and Technology's English dropping a significant 7 points to 83—concerning trends for schools that should be excelling. North Allegheny High School is holding relatively steady but trending downward in both subjects, with English at 88 (-1) and Math sliding to 67 (-3), suggesting they may need curriculum adjustments. Quaker Valley High School and Thomas Jefferson High School are the bright spots in this tier, with Quaker Valley gaining ground in both subjects (+4 English, +3 Math) and Thomas Jefferson showing remarkable growth, particularly in Math with an impressive +10-point jump from 59 to 69, indicating successful intervention strategies worth studying. Overall, these five schools show the widest variation in performance, ranging from potential warning signs to genuine success stories that other districts might learn from.

How We Rank Schools

Our rankings are based on student performance data across three subjects: English (weighted at 40%), math (weighted at 40%), and science (weighted at 20%). We convert raw performance data into percentile scores that show how each school compares to all other public schools statewide, making it easy to understand where a school stands in the broader landscape. More recent years are weighted more heavily in our methodology, so the rankings reflect where schools are now — not just where they've been. Our goal is to give parents an honest, data-grounded starting point, not a definitive verdict on any individual school.

Compare Schools Yourself

Numbers only tell part of the story, and every family's priorities are different. If you want to dig deeper and put specific schools side by side, head over to our school comparison tool at /compare. You can pull up any schools in Allegheny County — or anywhere in Pennsylvania — and compare their English, math, and science percentile scores directly. It's completely free and a great way to get a clearer picture before you make a decision as important as where your family puts down roots.

Top 50 Rankings

Rank	School	District	City	English	Math	Overall
1	Fox Chapel Area High School	Fox Chapel Area SD	Pittsburgh	99	100	100
2	Mt Lebanon Senior High School	Mt Lebanon SD	Pittsburgh	100	98	99
3	Pine-Richland High School	Pine-Richland SD	Gibsonia	98	98	99
4	Upper Saint Clair High School	Upper St. Clair SD	Pittsburgh	100	96	99
5	South Fayette Township High School	South Fayette Township SD	McDonald	95	97	98
6	Hampton High School	Hampton Township SD	Allison Park	98	91	96
7	North Allegheny High School	North Allegheny SD	Wexford	97	91	96
8	Pittsburgh Science and Technol	Pittsburgh SD		93	96	95
9	Quaker Valley High School	Quaker Valley SD	Leetsdale	92	97	95
10	Thomas Jefferson High School	West Jefferson Hills SD	Jefferson Hills	98	87	94
11	Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12	Pittsburgh SD	Pittsburgh	96	85	90
12	Moon Senior High School	Moon Area SD	Moon Township	81	85	86
13	Avonworth High School	Avonworth SD	Pittsburgh	86	81	85
14	West Allegheny Senior High School	West Allegheny SD	Imperial	82	86	85
15	Bethel Park High School	Bethel Park SD	Bethel Park	86	73	84
16	Keystone Oaks High School	Keystone Oaks SD	Pittsburgh	85	77	83
17	Montour High School	Montour SD	Mc Kees Rocks	73	86	82
18	South Park Senior High School	South Park SD	South Park	65	91	78
19	Shaler Area High School	Shaler Area SD	Pittsburgh	79	73	76
20	Riverview JSHS	Riverview SD	Oakmont	70	67	70
21	Gateway Senior High School	Gateway SD	Monroeville	78	56	67
22	North Hills Senior High School	North Hills SD	Pittsburgh	83	49	64
23	Elizabeth Forward Senior High School	Elizabeth Forward SD	Elizabeth	48	77	63
24	Deer Lakes High School	Deer Lakes SD	Cheswick	67	64	58
25	Plum Senior High School	Plum Borough SD	Plum	59	47	55
26	Baldwin Senior High School	Baldwin-Whitehall SD	Pittsburgh	54	51	54
27	Pittsburgh Allderdice High School	Pittsburgh SD	Pittsburgh	51	53	50
28	Carlynton JSHS	Carlynton SD	Carnegie	62	25	45
29	Springdale JSHS	Allegheny Valley SD	Springdale	44	42	43
30	Chartiers Valley High School	Chartiers Valley SD	Bridgeville	41	40	42
31	Highlands Senior High School	Highlands SD	Natrona Heights	38	45	36
32	Brentwood Senior High School	Brentwood Borough SD	Pittsburgh	36	32	35
33	Westinghouse Arts Academy CS	Westinghouse Arts Academy CS	Wilmerding	56	16	29
34	Pittsburgh Obama 6-12	Pittsburgh SD	Pittsburgh	34	20	24
35	Pittsburgh Carrick High School	Pittsburgh SD	Pittsburgh	26	23	21
36	Northgate MSHS	Northgate SD	Pittsburgh	19	20	20
37	Steel Valley Senior High School	Steel Valley SD	Munhall	17	20	18
38	City CHS	City CHS	Pittsburgh	21	18	17
39	South Allegheny High School	South Allegheny SD	McKeesport	16	17	16
40	Cornell High School	Cornell SD	Coraopolis	11	18	15
41	West Mifflin Area High School	West Mifflin Area SD	West Mifflin	13	15	14
42	Woodland Hills High School	Woodland Hills SD	Pittsburgh	10	15	13
43	Penn Hills Senior High School	Penn Hills SD	Pittsburgh	14	11	13
44	Clairton MS/High School	Clairton City SD	Clairton	18	9	13
45	East Allegheny JSHS	East Allegheny SD	North Versailles	10	12	11
46	Pittsburgh Brashear High School	Pittsburgh SD	Pittsburgh	11	11	10
47	McKeesport Area Senior High School	McKeesport Area SD	McKeesport	12	7	10
48	Academy at Westinghouse	Pittsburgh SD	Pittsburgh	7	7	6
49	Pittsburgh Perry High School	Pittsburgh SD	Pittsburgh	6	10	6
50	Sto-Rox JSHS	Sto-Rox SD	McKees Rocks	7	4	5

Related Guides

• Best Schools in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
• Best Elementary Schools in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
• Best Middle Schools in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania