Red Hook can once again say its high school is among the best in the county, state and country.
U.S. News & World Report released its annual Best High Schools ranking earlier this month and, as it has each year in recent memory, Red Hook made the cut.
Red Hook High School ranked seventh in the region – which the news organization called the Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY Metro Area – and in the top 3,250 of the more than 24,000 public high schools ranked across the country, the top 14%.
"Our school is thrilled to once again be recognized for the outstanding achievements of our faculty and students," Principal Dr. Kyle Roddey said. 
The annual rankings were released Aug. 19, with a methodology that takes into account data from the U.S. Department of Education, state assessments, College Board (Advanced Placement) and International Baccalaureate. The College Readiness Index and College Curriculum Breadth Index, two measurements of student participation and proficiency on Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams, accounted for 40% of a school’s score. Other factors included proficiency and performance on state math, science and reading assessments (40%); learning outcomes for “underserved” students, including a school’s Black, Hispanic and low-income populations; and a school’s graduation rate.
The data used incorporates a three-year average from the 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years.
Red Hook during the 2023-24 year had a 95% graduation rate, tied for second-highest in Dutchess County. This past June, 23 of the 132 Red Hook students who graduated earned a full IB diploma.
The school in recent years has placed an emphasis on increasing college preparation and credit programs. After launching the IB English for All initiative last year, this year the courses are being added to the school’s list of dual enrollment courses, in which students can receive college credit for successful completion. In all, the school offers 16 IB courses and nine AP courses. Students can also take advantage of early-college and career programs through educational partners at Dutchess BOCES and Bard College.
Previously, Linden Avenue Middle School in November was included in the U.S. News and World Report 2025 Best Middle Schools list for New York.