The Best Schools in America's 50 Largest Cities

The top school in the Boston area is the Phillips Academy. Located in Andover in Massachusetts’ northeastern corner, Phillips Academy is a private boarding school for students in ninth-12th grades. According to school data platform Niche, Phillips Academy is not just the top school in the Boston area, but it ranks as the best private high school in America.

The school received an A+ overall grade as well as top marks for its academics, teachers, sports, clubs and activities, and college prep. Its 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio is well below that of the typical school, allowing students to get more individualized attention. Its students reported an average SAT score of 1470 out of 1600, compared to an average of 1058 for all students.

Radford School ranks as the top school in the El Paso, Texas, area, according to school data platform Niche. The school received an A+ overall grade as well as an A+ for its academics. The private institution educates students from pre-K through 12th grade.

A relatively small school with an enrollment of just 221, the Radford School has a 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio. This small class size helps students stay more engaged and allows teachers to help students who may be struggling.

The top school in the Detroit area is Cranbrook Schools. Located in Bloomfield Hills just north of Detroit, the institution educates students from pre-K through 12th grade. Cranbrook Schools is a private boarding school, with a yearly tuition of $34,200.

The school earned an A+ overall grade from school data platform Niche as well as top marks for academics, teachers, clubs and activities, and college prep.

Located next to Vanderbilt University, University School of Nashville is the Nashville, Tennessee, area’s top school. The school earned an A+ overall grade from school data platform Niche as well as A+ grades for its academics, teachers, clubs and activities, and college prep.

University School of Nashville has just over 1,000 students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The school also has an average graduation rate of 100% and a student-to-teacher ratio of 9:1.

The top school in the Memphis, Tennessee, area is St. Mary’s Episcopal School. The private, Christian, all-girls school educates students from pre-K through 12th grade.

St. Mary’s earned an A+ overall grade from school data platform Niche as well as top marks for its academics, teachers, clubs and activities, and college prep. The school has a 100% graduation rate, and its students report ACT and SAT scores well above the average American student.