Best High Schools in Chester County, Pennsylvania
Introduction
Chester County, Pennsylvania has long been one of the most sought-after places to raise a family in the Philadelphia region — and the quality of its public high schools is a big reason why. Stretching from the affluent Main Line suburbs of Berwyn and Malvern to the rolling farmland communities around Kennett Square and West Grove, the county is home to a remarkable concentration of high-performing schools that consistently rank among the best in the state.
What makes Chester County's high school landscape especially interesting is the variety on offer. Whether you're drawn to a specialized STEM magnet program, a sprawling traditional campus with deep community roots, or a newer school finding its footing in a fast-growing district, there's genuinely something here for families across a wide range of priorities. The ten schools below represent the best of what Chester County has to offer — ranked using real student performance data in English, Math, and Science.
1. Downingtown STEM Academy — Downingtown Area SD, Downingtown
Downingtown STEM Academy doesn't just top this list — it scores at the 100th percentile in English, Math, and Science, a perfect sweep that puts it among the most exceptional public high schools in Pennsylvania. This is a selective magnet program, meaning students apply to attend, and the academic culture reflects that: rigorous, project-based, and deeply focused on real-world problem solving. Families who choose STEM Academy are typically looking for an environment that pushes students further and faster than a traditional high school setting — and by the numbers, it delivers.
2. Unionville High School — Unionville-Chadds Ford SD, Kennett Square
Tucked into the scenic Brandywine Valley near Kennett Square, Unionville High School earns its place as the county's top traditional high school with scores at the 96th percentile in English, 96th in Math, and an impressive 99th in Science — good for an overall ranking in the 98th percentile. The Unionville-Chadds Ford district has a well-earned reputation for academic excellence paired with a strong sense of community, and this school reflects both. Families relocating to the area for school quality consistently put Unionville at the top of their list, and it's easy to see why.
3. Conestoga Senior High School — Tredyffrin-Easttown SD, Berwyn
Conestoga is something of a Chester County institution — a school with decades of academic prestige and a competitive culture that draws comparisons to the best high schools anywhere in the region. Scoring at the 95th percentile in English, 98th in Math, and 95th in Science for an overall 97th percentile ranking, it sits in the heart of the Main Line in Berwyn and serves the affluent Tredyffrin-Easttown district. The school is well known for its rigorous AP course offerings and high college placement rates, making it a natural fit for families who prioritize academic depth alongside strong extracurriculars.
4. Great Valley High School — Great Valley SD, Malvern
Great Valley High School in Malvern offers a well-rounded, high-achieving environment that appeals to families who want strong academics without the pressure-cooker intensity of some of the county's most selective programs. Ranking at the 90th percentile in both English and Math, and 94th in Science for an overall 92nd percentile, it consistently performs well above state and national norms. The Great Valley district has grown significantly in recent years as Malvern has attracted both young professionals and established families, and the high school's reputation has kept pace with that growth.
5. Downingtown HS West Campus — Downingtown Area SD, Downingtown
Downingtown HS West Campus rounds out a strong trio of Downingtown Area schools on this list, scoring at the 82nd percentile in English, 91st in Math, and 88th in Science for an overall 90th percentile ranking. West Campus has a particularly strong math program, and families in the district who don't pursue the STEM Academy magnet often find that West Campus offers a more traditional high school experience with above-average academics and a wide range of activities. It's a solid, community-oriented school in a district that clearly prioritizes student achievement across the board.
6. Avon Grove High School — Avon Grove SD, West Grove
Avon Grove High School is a pleasant surprise for families exploring the southern reaches of Chester County near West Grove. Ranking at the 88th percentile in English, 87th in Math, and 84th in Science for an overall 89th percentile, it punches well above its weight for a smaller district school serving a more rural community. Avon Grove has a loyal, tight-knit following among local families who appreciate the school's balance of academic performance and genuine small-school atmosphere — the kind of place where students aren't just a number, and staff tend to know kids by name.
7. Downingtown HS East Campus — Downingtown Area SD, Exton
Serving the Exton side of the Downingtown Area School District, East Campus scores at the 78th percentile in English, a strong 91st in Math, and 83rd in Science for an overall 87th percentile. Like West Campus, East Campus benefits from being part of a district that takes academic standards seriously, and the math scores in particular are a standout. Families in the Exton area who aren't zoned for STEM Academy will find East Campus to be a capable, well-resourced school that prepares students well for college.
8. West Chester East High School — West Chester Area SD, West Chester
West Chester East High School brings a notably strong English program to the table — ranking at the 91st percentile in that subject — alongside scores of 78th in Math and 69th in Science for an overall 85th percentile. The West Chester Area School District is one of the largest in Chester County, and East High has its own distinct identity within that system, with a reputation for strong humanities offerings and an engaged student community. Families who value literacy, writing, and the liberal arts alongside solid overall academics will feel right at home here.
9. Owen J Roberts High School — Owen J Roberts SD, Pottstown
Owen J Roberts High School sits in the northern part of Chester County near Pottstown and serves a district that covers a wide geographic area with a diverse mix of communities. Ranking at the 79th percentile in English, 73rd in Math, and 85th in Science for an overall 80th percentile, OJR is a solid performer that particularly shines in science — a subject where it outpaces several schools ranked above it. Families in the district tend to have a lot of pride in this school, and its strong science scores suggest a genuine commitment to preparing students for technical and health-related career paths.
10. West Chester Henderson High School — West Chester Area SD, West Chester
West Chester Henderson rounds out the top ten with scores of 74th percentile in English, 81st in Math, and 73rd in Science for an overall 80th percentile — tied with Owen J Roberts but distinguished by a slightly stronger math performance. As the second high school in the West Chester Area School District, Henderson has its own culture and community separate from East High, and families in its attendance zone will find a school that is firmly above average by statewide measures. It's a comfortable choice for families prioritizing stability, solid instruction, and the broader resources that come with being part of a large, well-funded district.
How We Rank Schools
The rankings on The School Advocate are based on student performance data in three core subjects: English (weighted at 40%), Math (weighted at 40%), and Science (weighted at 20%). Each school receives a percentile score in each subject reflecting how it performs relative to all other public high schools in Pennsylvania. Those three scores are then combined using the weights above to produce an overall percentile ranking. We focus on outcomes — what students are actually learning and demonstrating — rather than inputs like spending per pupil or teacher-to-student ratios. The result is a straightforward, data-driven picture of academic performance that parents can use as one meaningful input in their school search.
Compare Schools Yourself
Rankings tell one story, but your family's priorities might lead you to a different conclusion than the overall numbers suggest. If you want to dig into the details — comparing schools side by side on individual subjects, or seeing how a school near you stacks up against others in the county — head over to theschooladvocate.com/compare. It's free, and it lets you build the comparison that actually matters to you.
Top High Schools
| Rank | School | District | City | English | Math | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Downingtown STEM Academy | Downingtown Area SD | Downingtown | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| 2 | Unionville High School | Unionville-Chadds Ford SD | Kennett Square | 96 | 96 | 98 |
| 3 | Conestoga Senior High School | Tredyffrin-Easttown SD | Berwyn | 95 | 98 | 97 |
| 4 | Great Valley High School | Great Valley SD | Malvern | 90 | 90 | 92 |
| 5 | Downingtown HS West Campus | Downingtown Area SD | Downingtown | 82 | 91 | 90 |
| 6 | Avon Grove High School | Avon Grove SD | West Grove | 88 | 87 | 89 |
| 7 | Downingtown HS East Campus | Downingtown Area SD | Exton | 78 | 91 | 87 |
| 8 | West Chester East High School | West Chester Area SD | West Chester | 91 | 78 | 85 |
| 9 | Owen J Roberts High School | Owen J Roberts SD | Pottstown | 79 | 73 | 80 |
| 10 | West Chester Henderson High School | West Chester Area SD | West Chester | 74 | 81 | 80 |