Niche’s 2026 Rankings Crown Northern Valley Regional NJ’s Best District, Cementing Bergen’s Reputation for Education Excellence
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
BERGEN COUNTY, NJ – When it comes to finding the perfect community for your family, the quality of the local schools is often the single most important factor. If you’re house-hunting in the Garden State, the message from the new 2026 rankings is clear: Bergen County is the place to be!
The education ranking service Niche has released its highly anticipated 2026 Best School Districts in America list, and a North Jersey institution has claimed the top prize.
The State’s #1 District is in Bergen County
According to Niche’s extensive analysis, the Northern Valley Regional High School District—headquartered in Demarest, NJ—has been officially named the Best School District in New Jersey for 2026. This prestigious honor cements the district’s reputation for providing an unparalleled educational experience.
Bergen County High Schools Sweep the Top 50
The good news doesn’t stop at the district level. The accompanying 2026 Best Public High Schools in America list, which evaluated over 93,000 schools nationwide, saw an astonishing performance from Bergen County.
Nine Bergen County high schools landed positions in the elite Top 50 Public High Schools in New Jersey list! While two are highly competitive countywide magnet schools, the remaining spots are held by traditional public high schools, proving the overall strength of town-based education in the area.
Spotlight on Bergen County’s Top-Ranked High Schools:
Bergen County schools featured prominently among the state’s best, showcasing a mix of specialized academies and top-tier comprehensive high schools:
- Bergen County Academies (Countywide Magnet)
- Bergen County Technical High School – Teterboro (Countywide Magnet)
- Northern Highlands Regional High School (Allendale)
- Tenafly High School (Tenafly)
- Ridgewood High School (Ridgewood)
- Northern Valley Regional High School (Demarest)
- Northern Valley Regional High School – Old Tappan
- Applied Technology High School
- Ramsey High School (Ramsey)
How the Rankings are Calculated
For over a decade, Niche has based its rigorous rankings on a blend of quantitative data and real-world qualitative feedback. As Luke Skurman, Founder and CEO of Niche, stated, their K-12 rankings combine “rigorous data and real experiences from students, alumni, and educators.”
The comprehensive ranking methodology incorporates state test scores, data from government agencies, and invaluable input from students, alumni, and parents, providing a holistic view of school quality.
For families considering a move or simply curious about the best educational options, this list is a definitive guide to New Jersey’s educational powerhouses.
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