London’s prestigious Westminster School has once again claimed the top spot on the HSBC Hurun Education Global High Schools list, marking its third consecutive year in the lead.
With a remarkable academic track record and centuries of tradition, Westminster School continues to send a significant number of its graduates to elite universities like Oxbridge and the Ivy League.
The Hurun report, which ranks the world’s top high schools, takes into account student placement in these prestigious institutions.
Top High Schools: A Snapshot of Excellence
The Hurun Education Global High Schools list is compiled each year, highlighting the top-performing high schools based on how many of their students gain acceptance to elite universities.
This year’s list reveals that all of the top 10 schools are located in the United Kingdom or the United States. These institutions are highly regarded for their academic standards, with an average history of 278 years.
The rankings also show that half of these schools are co-educational, while the other half are either all-girls or all-boys schools.
1. Westminster School (London)
Westminster School in London maintains its leadership position, sending over 40% of its 200 graduates annually to Oxbridge.
Boys join the school at the age of 13, while girls typically join at 16. The school’s legacy and academic reputation continue to attract students aiming for top-tier universities.
2. St Paul’s School (London)
St Paul’s School has secured second place on the list. Each year, about 40 out of 220 students head to Oxbridge or Ivy League schools, further cementing the school’s academic standing.
This all-boys institution is known for its rigorous academic environment and history of success in university placements.
3. The Dalton School (New York)
Although it dropped one spot to third place, The Dalton School in New York continues to perform at an impressive level. Approximately 20% of its students are accepted to top US universities, including Harvard and MIT, making it one of the leading schools in the US for academic excellence.
4. St Paul’s Girls’ School (London)
St Paul’s Girls’ School remains at fourth place, with around a third of its 120 graduates gaining admission to Oxbridge or Ivy League institutions. This prestigious all-girls school has a long-standing reputation for providing high-quality education and strong university placements.
5. King’s College School (London)
King’s College School, London, has moved up to the top five, driven by improved placement results. This co-educational school continues to grow in prominence, making significant strides in preparing students for competitive universities.
6. Winchester College (UK)
Winchester College, one of the UK’s oldest schools with over 600 years of history, made a remarkable comeback by surging seven spots to re-enter the top tier. This fully boarding school has a proud academic tradition and consistently ranks among the best.
7. The Brearley, Spence, and Collegiate Schools (New York)
These three prestigious all-girls schools in New York continue to maintain strong records, despite slight drops in their rankings. Each of these schools has a long history of preparing students for top colleges in the US, with strong placement results year after year.
8. Saint Ann’s School (Brooklyn)
Rounding out the list at number 10 is Saint Ann’s School, also located in Brooklyn, New York. More than 30% of its students progress to top US colleges, solidifying its place as one of the leading private schools in the country.
Geographic Trends and Dominance
The Hurun list highlights the geographic dominance of both the UK and the US in the world of top-performing high schools. Forty-five percent of the schools on the list are located in the US, while 40% are based in the UK.
This demonstrates the ongoing strength of educational institutions in both countries, especially in sending students to the world’s top universities.
