For the second consecutive year, Cooperstown Central School District is proud to announce that it has earned high national and metro-area rankings in the 2025–2026 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools, released on August 19, 2025. 

This recognition places Cooperstown Junior-Senior high school among the top 9 percent—ranked 1,607 of 17,901 high schools in the national rankings—and top 12 percent—156 of 1,276 high schools in the New York rankings—earning the prestigious distinction of being named a U.S. News Best High School. Moreover, Cooperstown High ranked #1 among the 12 schools in the Oneonta metro-area as defined by the U.S. News & World Report.

Moreover, Cooperstown’s score of 91.02 would make it the #1 rated school in the Binghamton and Kingston metro areas, #2 in the Ithaca metro area, #3 and #4 in the Utica and Albany metro areas respectively, #5 and #6 in the Syracuse and Buffalo metro areas respectively, and #8 in the Rochester metro area.

The Best High Schools rankings assess nearly 18,000 public high schools nationwide, using objective measures such as state assessment results, graduation rates, and college readiness indicators. College readiness is evaluated based on student participation and performance in Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams. Cooperstown Junior-Senior High School’s strong performance in these areas highlights the district’s continued dedication to academic excellence and student success.

“It is a tremendous honor to see Cooperstown recognized as one of New York State’s highest-performing school districts. These rankings reflect what we’ve always known: our dedicated staff, supportive community, and ambitious, creative students make Cooperstown a model of academic excellence,” said Peter Iorizzo, President of the Cooperstown Central School District Board of Education. "Congratulations and thanks to every staff member, parent, and student who makes this possible.”

While many of New York’s highest ranked high schools are in the New York City metropolitan area, Cooperstown Junior-Senior High School ranks among the very best schools in upstate New York.

Cooperstown Superintendent Sarah Spross also expressed her pride in this achievement. “We are thrilled to see our students’ hard work and our staff’s dedication recognized on a national scale,” said Spross. “Being named a Best High School validates the incredible work happening every day in our classrooms. This honor reflects the collaborative spirit of our entire school community and our unwavering commitment to providing an outstanding education for every learner.”