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.
Quality-per-school — rewards cities with a small pool of very high-scoring schools.
Why it differs: only each city's top-5 average counts, so elite-dense cities like London lead regardless of directory size — switch to Depth to reward breadth.
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.14Rising81.8 - 2
Singapore
Singapore
Top: Raffles Institution · Hwa Chong Institution · Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
13Best 3005Chall.4Rising80.4 - 3
New York City
United States
Top: Collegiate School · Trinity School · Stuyvesant High School
15Best 3005Chall.—80.3 - 4
Tokyo
Japan
Top: Kaisei Academy · Azabu Junior and Senior High School · Musashi High School
6Best 3005Chall.5Rising79.6 - 5
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Top: St. Paul's Co-educational College · Diocesan Girls' School · Diocesan Boys' School
7Best 3001Chall.3Rising79.2 - 6
Concord
United States
Top: St. Paul's School · Middlesex School · Concord Academy
3Best 300——79.0 - 7
Sydney
Australia
Top: Sydney Boys High School · Sydney Grammar School · Sydney Girls High School
6Best 3002Chall.—78.6 - 8
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.6Rising78.4 - 9
Paris
France
Top: Lycée Louis-le-Grand · Lycée Henri-IV · Collège Stanislas de Paris
6Best 3002Chall.2Rising78.0 - 10
Dallas
United States
Top: St. Mark's School of Texas · The Hockaday School · School for the Talented and Gifted
3Best 300——77.8 - 11
Washington, D.C.
United States
Top: Sidwell Friends School · St. Albans School · National Cathedral School
4Best 3001Chall.3Rising76.7 - 12
Bogotá
Colombia
Top: Colegio Nueva Granada · Colegio Los Nogales · Gimnasio Moderno
4Best 3002Chall.3Rising75.9 - 13
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.3Rising75.1 - 14
Los Angeles
United States
Top: Harvard-Westlake School · Marlborough School (LA) · Loyola High School of Los Angeles
3Best 3002Chall.—75.1 - 15
Boston
United States
Top: The Roxbury Latin School · Boston Latin School · The Winsor School
4Best 300——75.0 - 16
Melbourne
Australia
Top: Melbourne Grammar School · Scotch College · Methodist Ladies' College
2Best 3003Chall.2Rising74.8 - 17
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Top: Dubai College · Jumeirah English Speaking School Arabian Ranches · Dubai English Speaking College
2Best 30014Chall.37Rising74.3 - 18
Mumbai
India
Top: Dhirubhai Ambani International School · The Cathedral and John Connon School · Aditya Birla World Academy
2Best 3003Chall.1Rising74.3 - 19
Buenos Aires
Argentina
Top: Colegio Nacional de Buenos Aires · St Andrew's Scots School (Colegio San Andrés) · Asociación Escuelas Lincoln
2Best 3002Chall.1Rising74.3 - 20
Chicago
United States
Top: University of Chicago Laboratory Schools · Francis W. Parker School · Latin School of Chicago
3Best 3001Chall.—74.3 - 21
Shanghai
China
Top: Shanghai High School International Division · Shanghai High School (Domestic Division) · Shanghai American School
3Best 3003Chall.6Rising74.0 - 22
Toronto
Canada
Top: Upper Canada College · University of Toronto Schools · Havergal College
2Best 3002Chall.3Rising73.9 - 23
Bangkok
Thailand
Top: International School Bangkok · Triam Udom Suksa School · Shrewsbury International School Bangkok
2Best 3005Chall.3Rising73.3 - 24
São Paulo
Brazil
Top: St. Paul's School · Colégio Bandeirantes · Graded - The American School of São Paulo
2Best 3002Chall.4Rising73.3 - 25
Portland, OR
United States
Top: Catlin Gabel School · Oregon Episcopal School · Jesuit High School
1Best 3002Chall.—72.8 - 26
Brisbane
Australia
Top: Brisbane Grammar School · Brisbane Girls Grammar School · Anglican Church Grammar School
2Best 3002Chall.1Rising72.3 - 27
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Top: British School Al Khubairat · American Community School of Abu Dhabi · Cranleigh Abu Dhabi
1Best 3004Chall.6Rising72.2 - 28
Hanoi
Vietnam
Top: United Nations International School of Hanoi · VNU University of Science High School for the Gifted · British International School Hanoi
2Best 3002Chall.3Rising72.2 - 29
Atherton
United States
Top: Menlo School · Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton · Sacred Heart Preparatory
2Best 300—1Rising72.1 - 30
Montreal
Canada
Top: Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf · Lower Canada College · Selwyn House School
1Best 3002Chall.—72.1 - 31
New Delhi
India
Top: Delhi Public School R.K. Puram · Modern School, Barakhamba Road · Mother's International School
1Best 3004Chall.1Rising71.9 - 32
Vancouver
Canada
Top: St. George's School · West Point Grey Academy · Crofton House School
1Best 3002Chall.—71.9 - 33
Abingdon
United Kingdom
Top: Abingdon School · Radley College · St Helen and St Katharine
1Best 3001Chall.1Rising71.8 - 34
Seoul
South Korea
Top: Seoul Foreign School · Dulwich College Seoul · Seoul Science High School for Gifted Students
1Best 3003Chall.1Rising71.7 - 35
Geneva
Switzerland
Top: International School of Geneva · Institut International de Lancy · Ecole Moser
1Best 300—2Rising71.4 - 36
Brooklyn
United States
Top: Brooklyn Technical High School · Packer Collegiate Institute · Saint Ann's School
3Best 300——71.2 - 37
Kew
Australia
Top: Trinity Grammar School Melbourne · Xavier College · Carey Baptist Grammar School
—3Chall.—70.7 - 38
Dehradun
India
Top: The Doon School · Welham Girls' School · Welham Boys' School
1Best 300—2Rising70.4 - 39
Johannesburg
South Africa
Top: African Leadership Academy · American International School of Johannesburg · St Stithians College
—3Chall.3Rising70.1 - 40
Dublin
Ireland
Top: King's Hospital · Belvedere College SJ · St. Andrew's College Dublin
4Best 300——70.0 - 41
Amsterdam
Netherlands
Top: Barlaeus Gymnasium · Vossius Gymnasium · Het Amsterdams Lyceum
1Best 3002Chall.2Rising69.8 - 42
Kingston upon Thames
United Kingdom
Top: Tiffin School · Kingston Grammar School · The Tiffin Girls' School
1Best 3001Chall.1Rising69.8 - 43
Colombo
Sri Lanka
Top: St Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia · Royal College Colombo · Ladies' College
—2Chall.1Rising69.5 - 44
Philadelphia
United States
Top: Julia R. Masterman Secondary School · William Penn Charter School · Germantown Friends School
1Best 3001Chall.—69.5 - 45
Cape Town
South Africa
Top: Bishops Diocesan College · Herschel Girls' School · Rondebosch Boys' High School
1Best 3002Chall.2Rising69.2 - 46
Riyadh
Saudi Arabia
Top: American International School – Riyadh · British International School Riyadh · Kingdom Schools
—2Chall.4Rising69.2 - 47
Baltimore
United States
Top: The Bryn Mawr School · Gilman School · Roland Park Country School
—2Chall.—69.2 - 48
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Top: International School of Kuala Lumpur · Alice Smith School · Garden International School
3Best 300—1Rising69.0 - 49
Taipei
Taiwan
Top: Taipei American School · Taipei European School · Taipei Kuei Shan School
1Best 3001Chall.1Rising68.8 - 50
San Diego, CA
United States
Top: Canyon Crest Academy · Torrey Pines High School · Francis Parker School
—2Chall.1Rising68.8 - 51
Doha
Qatar
Top: Doha College · American School of Doha · Qatar Academy Doha
1Best 3001Chall.2Rising68.5 - 52
Makhanda
South Africa
Top: St Andrew's College · Diocesan School for Girls · Kingswood College
—1Chall.2Rising68.0 - 53
Kobe
Japan
Top: Nada High School · Canadian Academy · Marist Brothers International School
1Best 300—2Rising67.1 - 54
Istanbul
Turkey
Top: Robert College · The British International School Istanbul · Istanbul International Community School
—1Chall.2Rising67.1 - 55
Adelaide
Australia
Top: St Peter's College, Adelaide · Pembroke School · Prince Alfred College
—2Chall.1Rising67.0 - 56
Madrid
Spain
Top: Runnymede College · King's College, Soto de Viñuelas · American School of Madrid
1Best 3002Chall.—66.6 - 57
Jakarta
Indonesia
Top: Jakarta Intercultural School · Kolese Kanisius · ACG School Jakarta
1Best 300—3Rising66.4 - 58
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
Top: Escola Americana do Rio de Janeiro · British School Rio de Janeiro · Colégio Santo Inácio
1Best 3001Chall.1Rising66.4 - 59
Yokohama
Japan
Top: Yokohama International School · Saint Maur International School · Seiko Gakuin
—2Chall.1Rising66.3 - 60
Bengaluru
India
Top: Mallya Aditi International School · Bishop Cotton Boys' School · The International School Bangalore
1Best 300—2Rising66.1 - 61
South Tangerang
Indonesia
Top: British School Jakarta · MAN Insan Cendekia Serpong · Global Jaya School
1Best 300—2Rising66.1 - 62
The Hague
Netherlands
Top: Gymnasium Sorghvliet · The International School of The Hague · Gymnasium Haganum
—1Chall.1Rising65.9 - 63
Pretoria
South Africa
Top: Pretoria Boys High School · Pretoria High School for Girls · Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool
——3Rising65.8 - 64
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Top: The Edinburgh Academy · Merchiston Castle School · Fettes College
—3Chall.—65.7 - 65
Taunton
United Kingdom
Top: King's College Taunton · Taunton School · Queen’s College
——3Rising65.4 - 66
Santiago
Chile
Top: Nido de Águilas · The Grange School · Santiago College
—2Chall.1Rising65.3 - 67
Lima
Peru
Top: Markham College · Colegio Roosevelt — The American School of Lima · Colegio de la Inmaculada
—1Chall.2Rising65.3 - 68
New York
United States
Top: Xavier High School (NYC) · Léman Manhattan Preparatory School · The Hewitt School
—1Chall.1Rising65.0 - 69
Muscat
Oman
Top: The American International School Muscat · British School Muscat · The Sultan's School
——3Rising64.9 - 70
Auckland
New Zealand
Top: St Cuthbert's College · Auckland Grammar School · King's College (Auckland)
—1Chall.3Rising64.5 - 71
Berlin
Germany
Top: John F. Kennedy School Berlin · Berlin International School · Berlin Metropolitan School
—1Chall.—64.2 - 72
Rotterdam
Netherlands
Top: Erasmiaans Gymnasium · Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam · Rotterdam International Secondary School
1Best 300—1Rising63.2 - 73
Jeddah
Saudi Arabia
Top: Jeddah Prep and Grammar School · American International School - Jeddah · The British International School of Jeddah
——3Rising63.1 - 74
Mexico City
Mexico
Top: The American School Foundation · Colegio Alemán Alexander von Humboldt · Greengates School
——3Rising62.8 - 75
Brussels
Belgium
Top: The British School of Brussels · International School of Brussels · St. George's British International School Belgium
—2Chall.—62.6 - 76
Copenhagen
Denmark
Top: Copenhagen International School · Rygaards International School · Bernadotteskolen
—1Chall.—62.0 - 77
Quito
Ecuador
Top: Colegio Menor San Francisco de Quito · Academia Cotopaxi · Colegio Alberto Einstein
——1Rising62.0 - 78
Guangzhou
China
Top: American International School of Guangzhou · Utahloy International School Guangzhou · The British School of Guangzhou
—1Chall.1Rising61.9 - 79
Munich
Germany
Top: Nymphenburger Schulen · Bavarian International School · Phorms Campus München
——2Rising61.7 - 80
Shenzhen
China
Top: Shenzhen Middle School · Shekou International School · Shenzhen Foreign Language School
—1Chall.2Rising61.5 - 81
Cairo
Egypt
Top: Cairo American College · The British International School, Cairo · Deutsche Schule der Borromäerinnen
—1Chall.1Rising61.5 - 82
Helsinki
Finland
Top: The English School · International School of Helsinki · Deutsche Schule Helsinki
——2Rising61.4 - 83
Sharjah
United Arab Emirates
Top: Sharjah English School · Wesgreen International School · The Sheffield Private School
——1Rising61.3 - 84
Rome
Italy
Top: St George's British International School (Rome) · Marymount International School Rome · St. Stephen's School Rome
—1Chall.1Rising60.9 - 85
Lagos
Nigeria
Top: American International School of Lagos · Greensprings School Lagos · Grange School Lagos
——1Rising60.9 - 86
Nairobi
Kenya
Top: International School of Kenya · Brookhouse School · Hillcrest International School
—1Chall.1Rising59.1 - 87
Manama
Bahrain
Top: St Christopher's School · Al Hekma International School · St. Christopher's School
——1Rising58.9 - 88
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Top: Sandford International School · Bingham Academy · Andinet International School
———58.0 - 89
Cali
Colombia
Top: Colegio Bolívar · Colegio Colombo Británico Cali · Colegio Bilingüe Diana Oese
1Best 300——57.6 - 90
Panama City
Panama
Top: Metropolitan School of Panama · Balboa Academy · International School of Panama
———57.5 - 91
Casablanca
Morocco
Top: Lycée Lyautey · Casablanca American School · George Washington Academy
——1Rising57.2 - 92
Stockholm
Sweden
Top: Stockholm International School · Kungsholmens gymnasium · Internationella Engelska Skolan Stockholm
——1Rising56.6 - 93
Tunis
Tunisia
Top: American Cooperative School of Tunis · British International School of Tunis · Lycée Pierre Mendès France
———56.4 - 94
Jerusalem
Israel
Top: Jerusalem American International School · Jerusalem Arts High School · Anglican International School Jerusalem
———56.0 - 95
Dhahran
Saudi Arabia
Top: Dhahran Ahliyya Schools · Dhahran Academy · American School Dhahran
—1Chall.—55.7 - 96
Gaborone
Botswana
Top: Maru-a-Pula School · Westwood International School · Hillcrest International School Gaborone
——1Rising55.0 - 97
Lisbon
Portugal
Top: Carlucci American International School of Lisbon · Lycée Français Charles Lepierre · Deutsche Schule Lissabon
1Best 300——54.8 - 98
Tangerang
Indonesia
Top: Sekolah Pelita Harapan Lippo Village · Sinarmas World Academy · SMAK PENABUR Gading Serpong
—1Chall.—54.7 - 99
Dar es Salaam
Tanzania
Top: International School of Tanganyika · Feza International Schools · Braeburn Dar es Salaam International School
——1Rising54.2 - 100
Porto
Portugal
Top: Oporto British School · CLIP – Oporto International School · Colégio Nossa Senhora do Rosário
———53.7 - 101
Dakar
Senegal
Top: Lycée Jean Mermoz · International School of Dakar · Cours Sainte-Marie de Hann
———53.6 - 102
Abidjan
Côte d'Ivoire
Top: International Community School of Abidjan · Lycée Français Blaise Pascal · Enko Riviera International School
———53.3 - 103
Kampala
Uganda
Top: International School of Uganda · Aga Khan High School Kampala · Rainbow International School Uganda
———53.3 - 104
Waterloo
Belgium
Top: St. John's International School · International School of Flanders · Musica Mundi School
——1Rising53.1 - 105
Lusaka
Zambia
Top: International School of Lusaka · American International School of Lusaka · Baobab College
———53.0 - 106
Warsaw
Poland
Top: The British School Warsaw · Warsaw Film High School · Lycée Français de Varsovie
———52.9
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.