Are you planning to move to Palm Beach County or relocate within the area? If you have kids or are planning to in the future, one of the most important considerations ahead of your move is the quality of the schools in your neighborhood.
Palm Beach County public schools are among the best in Florida, but some schools definitely stand out. A handful of private, charter, and magnet Palm Beach schools rank among the best in the country with excellent STEM, art, language, and technology programs.
Here are the 13 best schools in Palm Beach County including private and public schools plus an overview of the Palm Beach district.
Palm Beach School District & Choice Program Overview
Cities in Palm Beach County, FL are served by the School District of Palm Beach County. It’s the 5th largest Florida school district and the 10th largest school district in the country with over 197,000 students who speak 145+ languages. PBCSD is an A-rated and high-performing urban district with a 96% graduation rate in the district-operated schools. You can see school ratings in Palm Beach County here.
There are 180 Palm Beach schools operated by the district including five K-12 schools, 25 high schools, 35 middle schools, and 16 alternative schools in Palm Beach County.
The Palm Beach County Choice Program offers over 300 specialized career and educational programs. The Palm Beach County school choice program gives students the teaching techniques and resources they need for their unique interests, talents, and needs. Program options include:
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
- Dual Language
- Performing Arts
- Business & Computer Technology
- Health, Education & Human Services
- Industry
- International Baccalaureate (IB) World School
Your public school options include traditional public schools, alternative schools, charter schools, and magnet schools in Palm Beach County in addition to private school options. The Palm Beach School District Choice Program requires submitting an application. Note that some schools have no eligibility criteria, but many Palm Beach choice schools have strict eligibility criteria. There may be a minimum GPA and other criteria such as an eligible audition score or prerequisite Honors courses. A lottery system is used for schools with more applicants than open spaces.
Learn more below:
- Download the 2022/2023 Choice Booklet to learn more about Palm Beach choice schools and eligibility
- Palm Beach Schools choice program application: mypbchoiceapp.com
Best High Schools in Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County is home to some of the top high schools in Florida! Here are the best schools in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and other cities in Palm Beach County.
AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts – Prestigious Magnet School in Palm Beach County
- Address: 501 S Sapodilla Ave, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
- School type: Magnet
- Enrollment: 1,400
- Grades: 9-12
The Alexander W. Dreyfoos Junior School of the Arts or DSOA is one of the best schools in Palm Beach County and ranked #13 among high schools in Florida. It’s also ranked #1 among West Palm Beach high schools. This magnet school boasts an award-winning arts program and allows students to pursue intensive study in their area with a college preparatory curriculum. The school offers exceptional programs in communications art, digital media, theater, music, visual arts, and dance. There is a competitive audition process for admittance.
Learn more about living in West Palm Beach in our complete guide then check out the best West Palm Beach neighborhoods near DSOA!
Suncoast Community High School – Four Magnet Programs & Part of an International Baccalaureate K-12 Continuum
- Address: 1717 Avenue S, Riviera Beach, FL 33404
- School type: Magnet
- Enrollment: 1,600
- Grades: 9-12
Ranked among the top 15 public schools in Florida, Suncoast Community High is located on an IB K-12 continuum campus with a rigorous college preparatory curriculum. Students can participate in one of four choice programs including Innovative Interactive Technology (IIT); Computer Science (CS); Math, Science & Engineering (MSE); and International Baccalaureate Programme (IB). Suncoast offers over 80 clubs and 31 sports as well to help students stay active in their community.
The Suncoast High School ranking is #15 in Florida with an A rating from the state.
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Spanish River Community High School – #1 Among Boca Raton Schools with 100% Graduation Rate, AICE Diploma Program & More
- Address: 5100 Jog Rd, Boca Raton, FL 33496
- School type: Magnet
- Enrollment: 2,600
- Grades: 9-12
Spanish River Community High School is one of many top rated schools in Boca Raton. It’s a highly ranked comprehensive high school with choice programs for students at every level including career and industry certifications and more than 40 Advanced Placement and AICE courses. The school boasts a 100% graduation rate with over 2,600 enrolled students and a reputation for graduates being accepted to Ivy League universities and prestigious colleges. Students can choose from 57+ clubs, 15+ junior varsity teams, and 28+ varsity teams.
Spanish River High School ranking is #3 in the district and #43 in Florida according to US News. It has an A grade from the Florida Department of Education.
Explore what it’s like living in Boca Raton. You can also check out our guide to the best neighborhoods in Boca Raton for families!
Boca Raton Community High School – A-Rated Palm Beach High School for 16 Years Running
- Address: 1501 NW 15th Ct, Boca Raton, FL 33486
- School type: Magnet
- Enrollment: 3,100
- Grades: 9-12
Boca Raton Community High is one of the largest schools in Boca Raton and one of the highest rated. The school offers unique Choice programs for students including Culinary Arts, Early Childhood Teacher Education, STEM, and Medical Sciences/Pre-Medicine. It’s the only magnet school in Palm Beach County with an in-house STEM program with a choice between engineering and architectural drafting tracks.
This Boca Raton high school has earned a Gold College Success Award from Great Schools four years running for its great track record of helping students succeed in college with 69% of graduates pursuing vocational programs or college.
Best Middle Schools in Palm Beach County
Here are the best Palm Beach middle schools including magnet schools for the arts, STEM programs, and other excellent Choice programs.
Bak Middle School of the Arts – Best Palm Beach County Middle School for Academics & the Arts
- Address: 1725 Echo Lake Dr, West Palm Beach, FL 33407
- School type: Magnet
- Enrollment: 1,300
- Grades: 6-8
Bak Middle School of the Arts is a National Blue Ribbon School and recognized as one of the best middle schools in Palm Beach County and Florida for academic achievement. It’s also recognized as one of the top public arts schools in the country. Students receive a superb art education with experiences in dance, band, visual arts, theater, strings, piano, voice, communications, and more. The school has a competitive audition process for applicants.
Bak Middle School of the Arts is one of the most desirable West Palm Beach schools, but one of the hardest to get into!
The Conservatory School at North Palm Beach – One-of-a-Kind Palm Beach County Middle School
- Address: 401 Anchorage Dr, North Palm Beach, FL 33408
- School type: Magnet
- Enrollment: 900
- Grades: PK-9
Ranked #12 among Florida middle schools, the Conservatory School is one of the most unique magnet schools in Palm Beach County thanks to its Music and Innovation program. The school offers a comprehensive academic and music program with a project-based setting. The school is best for students up for a challenge to develop the collaborative skills they will need in the real world.
Find out if living in North Palm Beach is right for your family with our complete guide!
Western Academy Charter School – #1 Charter School in Palm Beach County
- Address: 650 Royal Palm Beach Blvd, Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411
- School type: Charter
- Enrollment: 500
- Grades: K-8
This Palm Beach County charter school is ranked #26 in Florida and it’s the best Palm Beach charter school in the district. Serving elementary and middle school students, it’s been A rated since 2006, a Florida High Performing Charter School since 2011, and a Florida School of Excellence since 2017. The school has also held a 5-star award for 12 consecutive years and it’s a Project CHILD National Demo site. It’s consistently one of the highest scoring Palm Beach County schools on state and district FSA scores.
Check out our guide to living in Royal Palm Beach to learn what else this beautiful city has to offer aside from the region’s best charter school!
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Don Estridge High Tech Middle School – Only Magnet School in Palm Beach County with High Technology Choice Program
- Address: 1798 Spanish River Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33431
- School type: Magnet
- Enrollment: 1,300
- Grades: 6-8
Don Estridge High Tech Middle is one of the most competitive Palm Beach County public schools and the only school in the Palm Beach district to offer the High Technology program. Students receive a robust education that uses technology as a key educational tool. The challenging curriculum creates a motivating environment that teaches students to integrate various forms of technology into projects, assessments, learning, and presentations.
Best Elementary Schools in Palm Beach County
Give your child the best start to their education; here are the best Palm Beach elementary schools!
Morikami Park Elementary School – Delray Beach School Ranked #1 Among Elementary Schools in Palm Beach County
- Address: 6201 Morikami Park Rd, Delray Beach, FL 33484
- School type: Magnet
- Enrollment: 800
- Grades: PK-5
Morikami Park Elementary is ranked the #2 elementary school in Florida and it’s one of the hardest schools to get into in the district. It’s certainly one of the most desirable elementary schools in Delray Beach. There is a Morikami Park Elementary lottery process for admittance as applicants always exceed available spots.
The school is a 2020 Exemplary High Performing National Blue Ribbon School, one of just 11 schools in Florida to earn the honor along with Bak Middle School of the Arts, the only other winner in the district.
Students can participate in the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.
Find out what else Delray Beach, FL has to offer with our complete guide!
Binks Forest Elementary School – 5 Star Elementary School in Wellington FL
- Address: 15101 Bent Creek Rd, Wellington, FL 33414
- School type: Traditional public
- Enrollment: 900
- Grades: PK-5
Binks Forest Elementary isn’t just one of the best Palm Beach County elementary schools, it’s in the top 24 in the state and the only school on this list that’s a traditional public school, not a charter or magnet school. The school boasts test scores far above the Florida average with high marks for student academic progress. The school has an Exceptional Student Education team that serves students with many types of Exceptionalities including gifted students, traumatic brain injuries, autism spectrum disorder, deaf/hard of hearing, language impaired, and more.
With two of the top elementary schools in the region, you’ll love living in Wellington, FL!
Equestrian Trails Elementary – Elementary School with STEM Choice Program
- Address: 9720 Stribling Way, Wellington, FL 33414
- School type: Magnet
- Enrollment: 800
- Grades: PK-5
Equestrian Trails Elementary is a 5 Star School with an A rating and ranked #30 in Florida by US News. The school offers a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Choice program with topics integrated into every aspect of learning. Equestrian Trails boasts several resource labs including a Planetarium Classroom, Math Lab, Science Lab, and Lego Robotics Lab to spark imagination, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Top Palm Beach Private Schools
Private schools in Palm Beach County are among the best in the state with several schools ranked among the best in the country and even the world. You’ll find the highest concentration of excellent schools in the county include private schools in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and Palm Beach Gardens.
Saint Andrew’s School – Voted One of the Best Palm Beach Private Schools
- Location: Boca Raton
- Grades: PK-12
- Enrollment: 1,300
- Affiliation: Episcopal
- Tuition: Starting at $30,720 for K-5 and $65,530 for 9-12 boarding
Saint Andrew’s School is consistently ranked highly among private schools in Palm Beach County. It’s been voted the Best Private School of Palm Beach County by Palm Beach Post readers for 2019 through 2022. This nationally recognized Palm Beach private school offers day school and boarding with a college preparatory curriculum for PK-12 students.
Saint Andrew’s School in Boca Raton is one of the top 20 boarding schools in the world with 50+ athletic state championships, an 8:1 student to faculty ratio, and 83% of students admitted to a top 100 college.
King’s Academy – Christian Private School in West Palm Beach
- Location: West Palm Beach
- Grades: PK-12
- Enrollment: 1,500
- Affiliation: Christian
- Tuition: Starting at $16,500 for full day with $405 to $935 enrollment fee (financial assistance available)
A National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, this college preparatory class is one of the best private schools in West Palm Beach for parents seeking a robust, well-rounded Christian education. King’s Academy offers 25 STEM classes and 23 AP classes with a 100% college acceptance rate and $10.5 million in college scholarships awarded to the 2022 graduating class.
The Weiss School – Only South Florida Independent School Dedicated to Gifted Education
- Location: Palm Beach Gardens
- Grades: PK-8
- Enrollment: 300
- Affiliation: Secular
- Tuition: Starting at $17,820 for kindergarten + $1,000 enrollment fee with financial assistance available
The Weiss School is one of the best private schools in Palm Beach Gardens with a curriculum designed for gifted students. The school has been a leader in educating gifted students from early childhood through middle school for more than 30 years. Students receive comprehensive education in STEM, Taekwondo, foreign language, and more.
Find out why Palm Beach Gardens is a great place to live with more to offer than just a great education!
Donna Klein Jewish Academy – Co-Ed Jewish Private School at the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County Campus
- Location: Boca Raton
- Grades: K-12
- Enrollment: 500
- Affiliation: Jewish
- Tuition: Starting at $25,190 for K-4 and $28,420 for 9-12 with $1,500 registration fee
Donna Klein Jewish Academy (DKJA) is one of the best private Jewish day schools in Florida with a 100% graduation rate and robust curriculum. The school offers 31 Honors courses, 17 AP courses, and 9 medical studies courses with 20 athletic teams and 4 multimedia and innovation labs to foster physical, academic, and emotional health.
The Benjamin School – Two College Preparatory Campuses
- Location: North Palm Beach & Palm Beach Gardens
- Grades: PK-12
- Enrollment:1,200
- Affiliation: Secular
- Tuition: Starting at $21,000 for kindergarten and $33,510 for 9-12 with financial assistance available
The Benjamin School is one of the top Palm Beach private schools for a comprehensive secular education through 12th grade. Students are inspired to develop values including personal responsibility, self-motivation, service to the community, and a love of learning. The 50-acre campus serves high school students with a liberal arts community, Advanced Placement and Honors courses, modern technology, and over 40 clubs and activities.
Best Schools in Palm Beach County Map
Have you chosen the best school to meet your child’s educational needs and interests? If you’re planning to relocate in the near future, give us a call at Meehan’s Family Moving for a free moving estimate from our 5-star movers!
