Montgomery High School's Top Ranking Average SAT Score

The fifty highest ranking public high schools in New Jersey, based on SAT scores, all had average combined (Reading/Writing and Math) scores in excess of 1200 (out of a possible 1600), according to the most recent data from College Board.  The two schools topping the list, Edison Academy Magnet School and High Technology High School in Monmouth County, both had combined SAT scores exceeding 1500.  They are followed by four specialized high schools with combined SAT scores in the range of 1480 to 1448: Woodbridge Academy Magnet School, Biotechnology High School, Bergen County Academies and Union County Magnet High School.  Since these schools have a competitive process for admission, their SAT scores tend to exceed those of local public high schools.  

The ten “general admission” high schools with the highest SAT scores are Millburn High School (1,382), West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North (1,354), John P. Stevens High School (1,319), Montgomery High School (1,317), West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South (1,308), Livingston High School (1,301), Princeton High School (1,296), Tenafly High School (1,295), Highland Park High School (1,287), and Ridge High School (1,283). Hillsborough High School came in at 1,226.

While attending one of these highly reputable high schools is impressive on college applications, it is a double-edged sword. During the admissions process, colleges compare applicants with their peers who are offered the same academic opportunities. So, the bar is often significantly higher at high schools with a competitive student body. 

In addition, even students earning top SAT scores in comparison to their peers may find the college admissions process to be incredibly competitive.  Five popular colleges and universities within New Jersey report an impressive range of SAT scores for their student body: Princeton University (1500-1580), Stevens Institute of Technology (1370-1500), Rutgers University (1270-1480), NJIT (1210-1478), and The College of New Jersey (1140-1340).

New Jersey students choosing to leave the Garden State for competitive colleges across the country will likely find that top SAT scores are invaluable.  Among Ivy League institutions, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown and the University of Pennsylvania all report median SAT scores of 1500-1580.  

Even colleges a tier below have high expectations. The median SAT scores are 1500-1570 for students accepted to Carnegie Mellon, 1480-1570 to NYU, 1430-1540 to Boston College, 1400-1520 to Boston University, and 1390-1550 to Georgetown University.

Of course, these students are also expected to have an impressive GPA, high AP scores in a multitude of subjects, and extraordinary extracurricular activities.

Susan Alaimo is the founder & director of Collegebound Review, offering PSAT/SAT^® preparation & private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362

Summer Opportunities to Boost Future College Apps

Students may be looking forward to the end of the academic year as a respite from their studies and harried schedules.  But they should also be making plans to have a productive summer as it’s an ideal opportunity to enhance their future college applications. 

Summer is the perfect time for students to engage in activities that will provide knowledge and experiences in the field they are considering for their college major and future career. Opportunities abound through internships, volunteer work, and pre-college programs.

 

Those seeking a future in the field of medicine may seek a shadowing opportunity at Hunterdon Health or a position with RWJ Barnabas Teen Volunteers. Students can also use the summer to train, and get certified, as an EMT for their community.

Most Appealing Advanced Placement (AP) Courses

More than 81,000 New Jersey high school students took AP exams last year, recognizing their importance in the college application process.  According to statistics from College Board, AP courses are offered at 86% of public high schools in the state. In Central New Jersey, the participation rate in AP courses is particularly impressive with more than 50% of students partaking at a multitude of schools including Hillsborough High School, Montgomery High School, Princeton High School, and West Windsor-Plainsboro High School, both North and South.

But not all AP courses are equally appealing. Among 9^th and 10^th graders, the most popular AP courses are Human Geography, World History: Modern, European History, AP Seminar, Computer Science Principles, and World Language and Culture.

 

Among 11^th graders, the favored AP courses are English Language and Composition, U.S. History, Psychology, Biology, Physics 1, AP Seminar, AP Research, Computer Science Principles, and Art and Design.

4 Achievements to Highlight on College Application

It’s no secret that getting accepted to a top college has never been more competitive.  A stellar GPA and impressive SAT scores are just the start. According to Forbes, admissions officers are favoring applicants with evidence of leadership, extracurriculars that have an impact, demonstration of an entrepreneurial spirit, and engagement in a “passion project.” 

A recent report from the National Association for College Admission Counseling found that college applicants who demonstrate leadership roles have a distinct advantage in the admissions process. There’s a wide range of opportunities to do so, including serving as captain on an athletic team, securing a position on student government, spearheading a volunteer activity, or founding a club or securing a leadership role in an existing one. Since colleges want students who will be active leaders on campus, evidence of this trait in high school activities carries a great deal of weight.

Top 10 “Return on Investment” Colleges in 2025

Students searching for their ideal college often have varying criteria in mind. But one that should garner careful consideration is “return on investment” (ROI). This is the amount of money that one earns after a set period of time – typically 10, 15, 20, 30, and 40 years – minus the cost of education.  

 

Such data, collected by the Center of Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University, demonstrates that earning a college degree results in a significant return on investment in the vast majority of cases.

 

Money reports that the Top 10 colleges and universities, when it comes to ROI for a bachelor’s degree, include many of the most prestigious schools as well as those that focus on Computer Science, Engineering and Medicine -- fields that typically result in high earning potential.

The Best Colleges Based on Declared Major

Students dreaming about their future college often consider many criteria, including location, athletic reputation, and the abundance of campus amenities. But the most important factor, for those focused on their academic experience and career preparation, is their choice of major. 

Once students identify the majors they will pursue for their college studies, they can easily make a list of potential schools based on those with a strong reputation in their future academic field. Reputable sources for this data include usnews.com, niche.com, and collegetransitions.com.

 

Students interested in Accounting or Marketing will find Indiana University – Bloomington ranked among the top five schools. This is a program to which local students, with good grades and SAT scores, can likely gain admission. Other schools among the top five for these fields, which are a “stretch” for almost everyone, include University of Pennsylvania and University of Texas – Austin.

Top 10 Apps to Discover Best-Fit Colleges

Students can put their screen time to great use in the college application process by using mobile apps to garner a wealth of information. U.S. News & World Report has recently identified some of these particularly helpful apps. 

BigFuture School app by College Board, free on iPhone and Android devices, offers customized career information and provides information on specific majors, financial aid, and many aspects of campus life.

 

Loper, available free in the Apple App and Google Play stores, matches students with best-fit colleges based on desired campus size, major, and student life. Over 200,000 students have already used Loper for college planning.