Masterman Julia R Secondary School

Masterman is Philadelphia's most sought-after public school, a magnet program that draws academically driven students from across the entire city rather than from a single neighborhood catchment area. Families who land a spot here are getting a genuinely rigorous, college-preparatory experience in the heart of Philadelphia — close to the Fairmount and Spring Garden neighborhoods, with the cultural amenities of a major city right outside the door. It's a strong fit for students who thrive on challenge and want to be surrounded by peers who take academics seriously, and the school's consistent top performance across English, math, and science reflects just how intentional both the teachers and families here tend to be.