Global city rankings
Overall global ranking
106 cities scored across the flagship Best 300, the Challengers 300, and the Rising Stars 400. Two rankings, two truths: choose depth of excellence for volume or concentration of quality for the elite view.
Volume-weighted — rewards cities with many top-tier schools across the ranking book.
Why it differs: cities with huge quality directories (Dubai tracks 60+ ranked schools) lead here even when a rival has more elite schools — switch to Concentration for the pure-quality view.
All schools count. The default view.
- 1
London
United Kingdom
Top: Westminster School · St Paul's Girls' School · King's College School, Wimbledon
20Best 3004Chall.14Rising100.0 - 2
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Top: Dubai College · Jumeirah English Speaking School Arabian Ranches · Dubai English Speaking College
2Best 30014Chall.37Rising87.9 - 3
New York City
United States
Top: Collegiate School · Trinity School · Stuyvesant High School
15Best 3005Chall.—76.4 - 4
Singapore
Singapore
Top: Raffles Institution · Hwa Chong Institution · Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
13Best 3005Chall.4Rising74.7 - 5
Tokyo
Japan
Top: Kaisei Academy · Azabu Junior and Senior High School · Musashi High School
6Best 3005Chall.5Rising57.3 - 6
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Top: St. Paul's Co-educational College · Diocesan Girls' School · Diocesan Boys' School
7Best 3001Chall.3Rising51.2 - 7
Beijing
China
Top: The High School Affiliated to Tsinghua University · High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China · Beijing No. 4 High School
6Best 3001Chall.6Rising50.9 - 8
Paris
France
Top: Lycée Louis-le-Grand · Lycée Henri-IV · Collège Stanislas de Paris
6Best 3002Chall.2Rising49.1 - 9
Sydney
Australia
Top: Sydney Boys High School · Sydney Grammar School · Sydney Girls High School
6Best 3002Chall.—47.6 - 10
Shanghai
China
Top: Shanghai High School International Division · Shanghai High School (Domestic Division) · Shanghai American School
3Best 3003Chall.6Rising45.0 - 11
Bogotá
Colombia
Top: Colegio Nueva Granada · Colegio Los Nogales · Gimnasio Moderno
4Best 3002Chall.3Rising44.0 - 12
Bangkok
Thailand
Top: International School Bangkok · Triam Udom Suksa School · Shrewsbury International School Bangkok
2Best 3005Chall.3Rising43.1 - 13
Washington, D.C.
United States
Top: Sidwell Friends School · St. Albans School · National Cathedral School
4Best 3001Chall.3Rising42.6 - 14
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
Top: Saigon South International School · British International School Ho Chi Minh City · Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted
4Best 3001Chall.3Rising42.0 - 15
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Top: British School Al Khubairat · American Community School of Abu Dhabi · Cranleigh Abu Dhabi
1Best 3004Chall.6Rising41.0 - 16
Melbourne
Australia
Top: Melbourne Grammar School · Scotch College · Methodist Ladies' College
2Best 3003Chall.2Rising39.4 - 17
São Paulo
Brazil
Top: St. Paul's School · Colégio Bandeirantes · Graded - The American School of São Paulo
2Best 3002Chall.4Rising38.8 - 18
Los Angeles
United States
Top: Harvard-Westlake School · Marlborough School (LA) · Loyola High School of Los Angeles
3Best 3002Chall.—38.6 - 19
Mumbai
India
Top: Dhirubhai Ambani International School · The Cathedral and John Connon School · Aditya Birla World Academy
2Best 3003Chall.1Rising38.3 - 20
Toronto
Canada
Top: Upper Canada College · University of Toronto Schools · Havergal College
2Best 3002Chall.3Rising38.2 - 21
Boston
United States
Top: The Roxbury Latin School · Boston Latin School · The Winsor School
4Best 300——37.7 - 22
Hanoi
Vietnam
Top: United Nations International School of Hanoi · VNU University of Science High School for the Gifted · British International School Hanoi
2Best 3002Chall.3Rising37.6 - 23
New Delhi
India
Top: Delhi Public School R.K. Puram · Modern School, Barakhamba Road · Mother's International School
1Best 3004Chall.1Rising36.6 - 24
Buenos Aires
Argentina
Top: Colegio Nacional de Buenos Aires · St Andrew's Scots School (Colegio San Andrés) · Asociación Escuelas Lincoln
2Best 3002Chall.1Rising36.6 - 25
Chicago
United States
Top: University of Chicago Laboratory Schools · Francis W. Parker School · Latin School of Chicago
3Best 3001Chall.—36.6 - 26
Concord
United States
Top: St. Paul's School · Middlesex School · Concord Academy
3Best 300——36.6 - 27
Dallas
United States
Top: St. Mark's School of Texas · The Hockaday School · School for the Talented and Gifted
3Best 300——36.2 - 28
Dublin
Ireland
Top: King's Hospital · Belvedere College SJ · St. Andrew's College Dublin
4Best 300——35.9 - 29
Brisbane
Australia
Top: Brisbane Grammar School · Brisbane Girls Grammar School · Anglican Church Grammar School
2Best 3002Chall.1Rising35.9 - 30
Seoul
South Korea
Top: Seoul Foreign School · Dulwich College Seoul · Seoul Science High School for Gifted Students
1Best 3003Chall.1Rising34.8 - 31
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Top: International School of Kuala Lumpur · Alice Smith School · Garden International School
3Best 300—1Rising33.8 - 32
Brooklyn
United States
Top: Brooklyn Technical High School · Packer Collegiate Institute · Saint Ann's School
3Best 300——33.8 - 33
Johannesburg
South Africa
Top: African Leadership Academy · American International School of Johannesburg · St Stithians College
—3Chall.3Rising33.4 - 34
Amsterdam
Netherlands
Top: Barlaeus Gymnasium · Vossius Gymnasium · Het Amsterdams Lyceum
1Best 3002Chall.2Rising33.2 - 35
Cape Town
South Africa
Top: Bishops Diocesan College · Herschel Girls' School · Rondebosch Boys' High School
1Best 3002Chall.2Rising33.0 - 36
Portland, OR
United States
Top: Catlin Gabel School · Oregon Episcopal School · Jesuit High School
1Best 3002Chall.—32.6 - 37
Atherton
United States
Top: Menlo School · Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton · Sacred Heart Preparatory
2Best 300—1Rising32.4 - 38
Montreal
Canada
Top: Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf · Lower Canada College · Selwyn House School
1Best 3002Chall.—32.4 - 39
Vancouver
Canada
Top: St. George's School · West Point Grey Academy · Crofton House School
1Best 3002Chall.—32.3 - 40
Riyadh
Saudi Arabia
Top: American International School – Riyadh · British International School Riyadh · Kingdom Schools
—2Chall.4Rising32.2 - 41
Abingdon
United Kingdom
Top: Abingdon School · Radley College · St Helen and St Katharine
1Best 3001Chall.1Rising31.4 - 42
Doha
Qatar
Top: Doha College · American School of Doha · Qatar Academy Doha
1Best 3001Chall.2Rising31.1 - 43
Kew
Australia
Top: Trinity Grammar School Melbourne · Xavier College · Carey Baptist Grammar School
—3Chall.—31.0 - 44
Kingston upon Thames
United Kingdom
Top: Tiffin School · Kingston Grammar School · The Tiffin Girls' School
1Best 3001Chall.1Rising30.7 - 45
Madrid
Spain
Top: Runnymede College · King's College, Soto de Viñuelas · American School of Madrid
1Best 3002Chall.—30.4 - 46
Geneva
Switzerland
Top: International School of Geneva · Institut International de Lancy · Ecole Moser
1Best 300—2Rising30.4 - 47
Taipei
Taiwan
Top: Taipei American School · Taipei European School · Taipei Kuei Shan School
1Best 3001Chall.1Rising30.3 - 48
Dehradun
India
Top: The Doon School · Welham Girls' School · Welham Boys' School
1Best 300—2Rising30.1 - 49
Colombo
Sri Lanka
Top: St Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia · Royal College Colombo · Ladies' College
—2Chall.1Rising29.7 - 50
Philadelphia
United States
Top: Julia R. Masterman Secondary School · William Penn Charter School · Germantown Friends School
1Best 3001Chall.—29.7 - 51
San Diego, CA
United States
Top: Canyon Crest Academy · Torrey Pines High School · Francis Parker School
—2Chall.1Rising29.5 - 52
Jakarta
Indonesia
Top: Jakarta Intercultural School · Kolese Kanisius · ACG School Jakarta
1Best 300—3Rising29.4 - 53
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
Top: Escola Americana do Rio de Janeiro · British School Rio de Janeiro · Colégio Santo Inácio
1Best 3001Chall.1Rising29.4 - 54
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Top: The Edinburgh Academy · Merchiston Castle School · Fettes College
—3Chall.—29.2 - 55
Adelaide
Australia
Top: St Peter's College, Adelaide · Pembroke School · Prince Alfred College
—2Chall.1Rising28.8 - 56
Kobe
Japan
Top: Nada High School · Canadian Academy · Marist Brothers International School
1Best 300—2Rising28.8 - 57
Baltimore
United States
Top: The Bryn Mawr School · Gilman School · Roland Park Country School
—2Chall.—28.7 - 58
Yokohama
Japan
Top: Yokohama International School · Saint Maur International School · Seiko Gakuin
—2Chall.1Rising28.6 - 59
Bengaluru
India
Top: Mallya Aditi International School · Bishop Cotton Boys' School · The International School Bangalore
1Best 300—2Rising28.5 - 60
South Tangerang
Indonesia
Top: British School Jakarta · MAN Insan Cendekia Serpong · Global Jaya School
1Best 300—2Rising28.5 - 61
Makhanda
South Africa
Top: St Andrew's College · Diocesan School for Girls · Kingswood College
—1Chall.2Rising28.3 - 62
Santiago
Chile
Top: Nido de Águilas · The Grange School · Santiago College
—2Chall.1Rising28.2 - 63
Istanbul
Turkey
Top: Robert College · The British International School Istanbul · Istanbul International Community School
—1Chall.2Rising28.0 - 64
Auckland
New Zealand
Top: St Cuthbert's College · Auckland Grammar School · King's College (Auckland)
—1Chall.3Rising27.9 - 65
Lima
Peru
Top: Markham College · Colegio Roosevelt — The American School of Lima · Colegio de la Inmaculada
—1Chall.2Rising27.3 - 66
The Hague
Netherlands
Top: Gymnasium Sorghvliet · The International School of The Hague · Gymnasium Haganum
—1Chall.1Rising26.7 - 67
Rotterdam
Netherlands
Top: Erasmiaans Gymnasium · Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam · Rotterdam International Secondary School
1Best 300—1Rising26.6 - 68
Pretoria
South Africa
Top: Pretoria Boys High School · Pretoria High School for Girls · Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool
——3Rising26.6 - 69
Taunton
United Kingdom
Top: King's College Taunton · Taunton School · Queen’s College
——3Rising26.5 - 70
Brussels
Belgium
Top: The British School of Brussels · International School of Brussels · St. George's British International School Belgium
—2Chall.—26.4 - 71
New York
United States
Top: Xavier High School (NYC) · Léman Manhattan Preparatory School · The Hewitt School
—1Chall.1Rising26.4 - 72
Muscat
Oman
Top: The American International School Muscat · British School Muscat · The Sultan's School
——3Rising26.3 - 73
Shenzhen
China
Top: Shenzhen Middle School · Shekou International School · Shenzhen Foreign Language School
—1Chall.2Rising26.0 - 74
Jeddah
Saudi Arabia
Top: Jeddah Prep and Grammar School · American International School - Jeddah · The British International School of Jeddah
——3Rising25.7 - 75
Mexico City
Mexico
Top: The American School Foundation · Colegio Alemán Alexander von Humboldt · Greengates School
——3Rising25.5 - 76
Guangzhou
China
Top: American International School of Guangzhou · Utahloy International School Guangzhou · The British School of Guangzhou
—1Chall.1Rising25.2 - 77
Berlin
Germany
Top: John F. Kennedy School Berlin · Berlin International School · Berlin Metropolitan School
—1Chall.—25.2 - 78
Cairo
Egypt
Top: Cairo American College · The British International School, Cairo · Deutsche Schule der Borromäerinnen
—1Chall.1Rising25.1 - 79
Rome
Italy
Top: St George's British International School (Rome) · Marymount International School Rome · St. Stephen's School Rome
—1Chall.1Rising24.9 - 80
Copenhagen
Denmark
Top: Copenhagen International School · Rygaards International School · Bernadotteskolen
—1Chall.—24.4 - 81
Munich
Germany
Top: Nymphenburger Schulen · Bavarian International School · Phorms Campus München
——2Rising24.3 - 82
Nairobi
Kenya
Top: International School of Kenya · Brookhouse School · Hillcrest International School
—1Chall.1Rising24.2 - 83
Helsinki
Finland
Top: The English School · International School of Helsinki · Deutsche Schule Helsinki
——2Rising24.2 - 84
Cali
Colombia
Top: Colegio Bolívar · Colegio Colombo Británico Cali · Colegio Bilingüe Diana Oese
1Best 300——23.6 - 85
Quito
Ecuador
Top: Colegio Menor San Francisco de Quito · Academia Cotopaxi · Colegio Alberto Einstein
——1Rising23.6 - 86
Sharjah
United Arab Emirates
Top: Sharjah English School · Wesgreen International School · The Sheffield Private School
——1Rising23.3 - 87
Lagos
Nigeria
Top: American International School of Lagos · Greensprings School Lagos · Grange School Lagos
——1Rising23.2 - 88
Lisbon
Portugal
Top: Carlucci American International School of Lisbon · Lycée Français Charles Lepierre · Deutsche Schule Lissabon
1Best 300——22.6 - 89
Manama
Bahrain
Top: St Christopher's School · Al Hekma International School · St. Christopher's School
——1Rising22.4 - 90
Dhahran
Saudi Arabia
Top: Dhahran Ahliyya Schools · Dhahran Academy · American School Dhahran
—1Chall.—22.1 - 91
Casablanca
Morocco
Top: Lycée Lyautey · Casablanca American School · George Washington Academy
——1Rising21.8 - 92
Tangerang
Indonesia
Top: Sekolah Pelita Harapan Lippo Village · Sinarmas World Academy · SMAK PENABUR Gading Serpong
—1Chall.—21.7 - 93
Stockholm
Sweden
Top: Stockholm International School · Kungsholmens gymnasium · Internationella Engelska Skolan Stockholm
——1Rising21.6 - 94
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Top: Sandford International School · Bingham Academy · Andinet International School
———21.2 - 95
Gaborone
Botswana
Top: Maru-a-Pula School · Westwood International School · Hillcrest International School Gaborone
——1Rising21.0 - 96
Panama City
Panama
Top: Metropolitan School of Panama · Balboa Academy · International School of Panama
———21.0 - 97
Dar es Salaam
Tanzania
Top: International School of Tanganyika · Feza International Schools · Braeburn Dar es Salaam International School
——1Rising20.7 - 98
Tunis
Tunisia
Top: American Cooperative School of Tunis · British International School of Tunis · Lycée Pierre Mendès France
———20.7 - 99
Jerusalem
Israel
Top: Jerusalem American International School · Jerusalem Arts High School · Anglican International School Jerusalem
———20.5 - 100
Waterloo
Belgium
Top: St. John's International School · International School of Flanders · Musica Mundi School
——1Rising20.3 - 101
Porto
Portugal
Top: Oporto British School · CLIP – Oporto International School · Colégio Nossa Senhora do Rosário
———19.7 - 102
Dakar
Senegal
Top: Lycée Jean Mermoz · International School of Dakar · Cours Sainte-Marie de Hann
———19.6 - 103
Abidjan
Côte d'Ivoire
Top: International Community School of Abidjan · Lycée Français Blaise Pascal · Enko Riviera International School
———19.5 - 104
Kampala
Uganda
Top: International School of Uganda · Aga Khan High School Kampala · Rainbow International School Uganda
———19.5 - 105
Lusaka
Zambia
Top: International School of Lusaka · American International School of Lusaka · Baobab College
———19.4 - 106
Warsaw
Poland
Top: The British School Warsaw · Warsaw Film High School · Lycée Français de Varsovie
———19.4
Methodology
Depth of excellence weights each Best 300 school ×3, each Challenger ×2 and each Rising Star ×1, then blends 30% of the city's top-5 average score. Normalised so #1 sits at 100.
Concentration of quality is the average overall score of the city's five highest-ranked schools — no volume discount. A city with three elite schools can beat a city with fifty average ones.