The best school districts in Greater Boston for 2026, according to Niche: How they rank without SAT and ACT scores

Niche, the Pittsburgh-based website known for connecting families with schools and colleges, has released its latest ranking of the best school districts in the Greater Boston area. This year’s list marks a shift in evaluation criteria, as SAT and ACT scores were excluded due to their decreasing relevance in college admissions.

Topping the 2026 rankings is the Public Schools of Brookline, which secured an overall A+ grade from Niche. Brookline earned A+ marks in academics, teachers, college prep, clubs and activities, and administration. The district received solid A grades in sports and resources and facilities, while diversity scored an A-. Food was the only category to fall short of the A range, receiving a B-, as reported by theboston.com.

Brookline leads, Weston and Lexington close behind
Brookline was followed by Weston Public Schools and Lexington Public Schools, securing second and third places respectively. The fourth and fifth spots were claimed by Hopkinton Public Schools and Dover-Sherborn Regional School District. These top five districts reflect a combination of academic excellence and well-rounded extracurricular offerings.

According to Niche, the overall rankings were based on multiple factors, with academics accounting for 50% of the weighted score. Other considerations included teacher quality, school culture and diversity, resources and facilities, clubs and activities, sports, and the overall experience reported through parent and student surveys. The list draws data from the US Department of Education alongside its own surveys, as noted by theboston.com.

Top 20 school districts and how they scored
The top 16 districts earned an overall A+ rating, while the remaining four in the top 20 received an A grade. Notably, Niche’s omission of SAT and ACT scores reflects a broader trend in education, as these tests lose weight in college admissions decisions.

Here is the full list of the top 20 school districts in Greater Boston according to Niche’s 2026 rankings:
1. Public Schools of Brookline
2. Weston Public Schools
3. Lexington Public Schools
4. Hopkinton Public Schools
5. Dover-Sherborn Regional School District
6. Belmont Public Schools
7. Sharon Public Schools
8. Winchester Public Schools
9. Wayland Public Schools
10. Newton Public Schools
11. Westford Public Schools
12. Needham Public Schools
13. Westwood Public Schools
14. Wellesley Public Schools
15. Acton-Boxborough Regional School District
16. Bedford Public Schools
17. Cambridge Public Schools
18. Duxbury Public Schools
19. Harvard Public Schools
20. Natick Public Schools

The rankings highlight districts known for strong academics and extensive extracurricular options. The exclusion of standardised test scores signals a shift in how school performance is measured, focusing more on the overall student experience.

What Niche’s data says about Greater Boston’s schools
Niche grades were based on multiple categories. For example, Brookline’s strong performance in administration and clubs was a significant factor in its top spot. The website’s data combines objective figures from the US Department of Education with subjective feedback from surveys, blending quantitative and qualitative measures.

Sports and facilities generally scored well across the top districts, with most earning solid A grades. Diversity ratings varied slightly but remained positive overall. The food category was the only one where districts consistently fell short of top marks, with Brookline’s B- typical of the group, as reported by theboston.com.

This year's list reinforces Greater Boston’s reputation for quality education, with many towns maintaining or improving their standings despite the change in ranking criteria. The 2026 Niche rankings offer a comprehensive look at how local school districts measure up beyond standardised tests, reflecting the evolving priorities in education.

As quoted by theboston.com, “Niche remains the market leader in connecting colleges and schools with students and families, providing a holistic view of educational quality.”