There is no official ranking of the “best” schools in Ghana. The Ghana Education Service groups schools into Categories A, B, and C for placement purposes, but this is a measure of demand and capacity, not a verdict on quality. What the data does show is which schools are the most competitive, which have the strongest track records, and how boarding and day options differ. Here is what you need to know.
The Category System: A Measure of Demand, Not Quality
The GES classifies public senior high schools into three categories for the Computerised School Selection and Placement System. As of the 2026 register, there are 93 Category A schools, 260 Category B schools, and 602 Category C schools .
Category A schools are the most competitive. They attract far more applicants than they have places, which is why a strong aggregate alone does not guarantee admission. But education analysts have warned against equating Category A with automatic success. As one analyst put it, “Category A schools do not always perform better than the others in, say, the B category during the WASSCE” .
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The category label tells you how many people want to get in. It does not tell you what kind of education a student will receive once they are there.
Leading Boarding Schools
Boarding schools offer structured environments, full academic programmes, and residential facilities. The most competitive boarding schools are concentrated in Category A, though Category B also has strong boarding institutions.
Category A Boarding Examples
PRESEC-Legon (Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School) is one of Ghana’s most prestigious boys’ boarding schools. Established in 1938, it has around 3,000 students and is known for its science programmes. It operates a double-track system with both day and boarding status, and has a strong record in national competitions.
St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School is a Catholic boys’ day school in Accra, not a boarding school, but it is consistently cited as one of the highest-performing day schools in Ghana. It won the National Science and Maths Quiz in 2013 and is classified as Category A .
Other Category A schools with boarding facilities include Prempeh College, Pope John Senior High School, Opoku Ware School, Adisadel College, Mfantsipim School, and St. Augustine’s College. These schools have long histories, strong alumni networks, and consistent academic results.
Category B Boarding Examples
Category B includes established schools with boarding facilities. Examples from the GES register include Kwahu Tafo Senior High in the Eastern Region, Akrofuom Senior High/Tech and Bankoman Senior High in Ashanti, and St. Michael’s Senior High, Akoase .
These schools are less oversubscribed than Category A, making them a practical option for candidates with competitive but not top-tier aggregates.
Leading Day Schools
Day schools offer academic programmes without residential facilities. They are often closer to home, cheaper for families, and can be just as academically rigorous.
The Standout Day School
St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School is described as “the highest-performing absolute day school in Ghana” and consistently ranks among the top five senior high schools nationwide. It is a Category A boys’ school in Cantonments, Accra, with about 2,170 students .
For candidates who live in Accra and want a top-tier education without boarding, Aquinas is a strong option.
Other Day Options
Many Category A schools operate as day schools or day/boarding hybrids. The GES requires every candidate to select one Category A day school within their district, alongside one Category A boarding school .
This means every candidate has access to at least one competitive local day option. The specific schools available depend on the district.
The Strategic Reality: What the Data Shows
The competition for top schools is intense. In 2026, 313,283 candidates chose Category A schools as their first choice, but Category A schools declared only 76,417 vacancies .
This is why analysts advise candidates to balance ambition with realism. For students with mock raw scores around 380 or above, a competitive Category A boarding option is a reasonable first choice. For those scoring between 320 and 350, Category B schools are more realistic. For those below 319, the advice is to anchor selections in Category B and C to avoid being left unplaced .
Boarding space is also limited. When a school runs short on boarding facilities, the system prioritises day applicants, even if their raw scores are slightly lower than competing boarding applicants.
Quick Facts
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Category A Schools (2026) | 93 |
| Category B Schools (2026) | 260 |
| Category C Schools (2026) | 602 |
| Category A Vacancies (2026) | 76,417 |
| Category A First Choice Applicants | 313,283 |
| Notable Boys’ Boarding School | PRESEC-Legon (Category A) |
| Notable Day School | St. Thomas Aquinas SHS (Category A) |
| Selection Rule | 1 Category A boarding + 1 Category A day (local) |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best boarding school in Ghana?
There is no official ranking. PRESEC-Legon is widely regarded as one of the top boys’ boarding schools, with strong science programmes and a long history . Other Category A boarding schools include Pope John Senior High School, Prempeh College, Opoku Ware School, and Adisadel College.
2. What is the best day school in Ghana?
St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School is described as the highest-performing day school in Ghana. It is a Category A boys’ school in Accra and consistently ranks among the top five schools nationwide .
3. Are Category A schools better than Category B and C schools?
The categories measure demand and capacity, not teaching quality. Analysts have noted that Category A schools do not always outperform Category B schools in WASSCE results .
4. Why is it so hard to get into a Category A school?
Because demand far exceeds supply. In 2026, 313,283 candidates chose Category A schools as first choice, but only 76,417 vacancies were available .
5. How many schools must I select?
You must select eight schools, including one Category A boarding school and one Category A day school within your district .
6. What if my grades are not strong enough for Category A?
Analysts advise anchoring your selections in Category B and C to avoid being left unplaced. For mock scores below 319, the recommendation is to focus on Category B and C schools .
7. Is boarding better than day school?
It depends on the student and the family. Boarding offers structure and full immersion. Day school is cheaper and keeps the student at home. The GES requires every candidate to select at least one of each in Category A, ensuring both options are considered.
8. Can I change my placement if I am placed in a school I did not want?
Automatic placement is final. You cannot change it online. If you were not placed at all, you can use Self-Placement to choose from schools with vacancies
Source: Accra Street Journal
Last Updated on October 27, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
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Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
