The largest high schools in the U.S. vary in student enrollment size, both in-person and online, and campus size. In terms of enrollment size, a respected online school has over 100,000 students on a rolling basis. The largest brick-and-mortar campus with traditional homeroom and classes is a historic school in New York City with renowned STEM programs and facilities.
Find out more about the facilities, academics, and student life at the largest high schools.
What’s the Largest High School in the U.S. by Enrollment?
If we include online students, Penn Foster High School is the largest high school overall. It’s an accredited, asynchronous online high school based in Scranton, PA, and enrolls over 100,000 students, making it the largest by headcount.[1]
Enrollment is rolling and self-paced, however, so the headcount fluctuates. The school reports about 30,000+ high school students graduating annually.[2] It’s private, for-profit, and fully online for both teens and adults nationwide.
Academics at Penn Foster
Penn Foster is regionally accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA-CESS) and nationally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), a recognized body by the Department of Education, and Cognia.[3] This means the educational programs meet standards set by recognized independent bodies.
The standard diploma at Penn Foster lists 17 core studies and 5 electives across broad subject areas like English, math, science, social studies, arts and humanities, health, and career-or academic-focused electives.[4] For transfer students, Penn Foster may award up to 15 or 16 transfer credits for prior high-school-level coursework.[5]
Penn Foster’s programs are fully asynchronous with no fixed class meeting times or due dates. Students can finish at their own pace or balance other responsibilities. Exams are often proctored for academic integrity. The school offers open enrollment.
Though the courses are online, students have access to a 24/7 Learner Center for lessons, e-texts, exams, grades, and tuition management. Instructors and Student Services are available on weekdays via phone or email. Many colleges accept Penn Foster diplomas, but it can vary by many factors. Online courses can be tricky for NCAA eligibility as well. It’s important to verify course approvals on the NCAA High School Portal prior to enrollment.[6]
What Is Student Life Like at Penn Foster?
Student life at Penn Foster looks a little different from a traditional campus. Students work on their own schedules to complete readings, quizzes, exams, and assignments. Access to computers, tablets, or phones is the core of the experience – and part of why Penn Foster has such a large student body.
While there aren’t in-person clubs or events, students can interact virtually on the learning platform with digital study guides, self-checks, videos, and discussion groups. Everything is on demand. The school doesn’t have a traditional offering of campus clubs, teams, or facilities, either, so students are encouraged to seek these peer groups from local community organizations and independent study groups.
What’s the Largest Brick-and-Mortar High School in the U.S.?
If we focus on traditional enrollment, the largest high school in the U.S. is Brooklyn Technical High School in Brooklyn, NY. The school has a student base of 5,800 to 5,900 in grades 9-12, making it the largest brick-and-mortar school in the country.[7]
Given the nearly 6,000 students, Brooklyn Tech occupies a 12-story Art Deco building that spans a city block. The school was opened in 1932, but it has undergone renovations in the 21st century to elevate its programs. In addition to standard classrooms, Brooklyn Tech offers exceptional facilities:[8]
- STEM labs and shops, including specialized computer labs and robotics spaces like the Ike Heller Center for Robotics & Computer Integrated Manufacturing, support its academics.
- Athletic facilities, including two gymnasiums, a weight room, and a 4-lane swimming pool.[9]
- A 3,100-seat auditorium – among the largest in NYC – and a recital hall for full-school assemblies, concerts, and theatrical productions.
- A mock courtroom for Law & Society majors and the school’s mock trial team.
- A formerly dormant hydroponics greenhouse for farming systems and an aquaponics system with biofiltration.
With these facilities, the high school operates more like a small university. Unlike many high schools, Brooklyn Tech provides the option to declare a major halfway through sophomore year and pursue concentrated coursework in junior and senior years to get a head start on college. The majors include:[10]
- Engineering and science: Aerospace, civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechantronics & robotics, applied math, physics, chemistry, biological sciences, and environmental science.
- Technology: Software engineering, industrial design, architecture, and media communications.
- Pre-professional and social sciences: Finance, law & society, neuroscience, social science, and a Long Island University PharmD pathway.
- Many programs include Advanced Placement (AP) courses that give students early exposure to college-level rigor and hands-on engineering design.
Though it’s not a private school, Brooklyn Tech is a New York City Specialized School. Admission is based on the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT). [11] Of the 30,000 or so NYC eighth- and ninth-graders who take the exam, about 1,600 earn an offer to Brooklyn Tech.[12]
What’s Student Life Like at Brooklyn Tech?
Student life at Brooklyn Tech is more like a small university than a high school. The Student Government Organization (SGO) runs class councils, spirit weeks, and day-to-day communications for all students.
There’s also a club-credit system that gives students points for participation in clubs, teams, office squads, and productions to graduate with a diploma.[13] There’s no limit to how many clubs a student can join, and some of the options include debate, robotics, performing arts, publications, Olympiad teams, and PSAL sports.
How to Choose the Best Fit
The biggest high school isn’t necessarily the best fit for every student. Large schools offer more courses, more extracurriculars, and specialized facilities that can help with college preparation, but it can be overwhelming for some. Schools like Brooklyn Tech can be selective and require some upfront work, such as SHSAT prep and strong learning in middle school.
Conversely, Penn Foster offers flexibility for part-time work, family caregiving, health concerns, or internships that make traditional high school difficult to manage. However, online learning can be difficult for students who lack discipline and time-management skills. Not all universities and colleges accept diplomas from online high schools, either.
Applying to a Selective High School?
If you’re interested in a selective high school program like Brooklyn Tech, it’s important to prepare and make a great impression. InGenius Prep offers private high school admission counseling services to gain a competitive advantage. Schedule your free consultation today!