Which high schools do students in Bucharest prefer? Top 10 educational institutions by theoretical, vocational and technological tracks

Articles
23 JUN 26

The “Gheorghe Lazăr” National College remains the first choice among eighth-grade students in Bucharest, according to data from the CMBRAE report for the 2025–2026 school year, cited by Edupedu.ro. The next positions are held by the “I.L. Caragiale” National College and the “Spiru Haret” National College, two institutions that have moved up in the ranking compared with last year.

The ranking does not show “the best high schools” strictly in terms of admission averages, but rather the high schools that students say they prefer before filling in their options for the 2026 admission process. It is, therefore, a snapshot of the intentions of students in Bucharest, useful especially for parents, teachers and future candidates who want to understand where interest is concentrated before the computerized allocation.

What the CMBRAE study shows about eighth-grade students

The CMBRAE study was conducted during the 2025–2026 school year among eighth-grade students from public middle schools in Bucharest. The questionnaire was applied between November 3 and 14, 2025, and the data were used to observe the school and career options of students finishing middle school.

Out of a total of 14,970 eighth-grade students enrolled in public middle schools in the Capital, 11,476 took part in the testing, while 9,206 actually answered the questionnaire. The analyzed sample represents 61.49% of the total number of students, according to the data published by Edupedu.ro, based on the CMBRAE report.

Indicator / Reported data

One first conclusion is that almost all surveyed students want to continue their studies after eighth grade. According to the cited data, 99.41% of respondents intend to go on to high school or another educational path, while 0.59% said they do not want to continue their studies.

The theoretical track dominates students’ options in Bucharest

As in previous years, the theoretical track is by far the most attractive option for students in Bucharest. 75% of respondents say they want to attend a theoretical high school, while the vocational track is chosen by 8.85% and the technological track by 5.6%.

Within the theoretical track, the science-oriented profile remains the preferred option for most students. Of the 6,906 students who indicated the theoretical track, 4,115 chose the science profile, while 2,791 chose the humanities profile. In other words, mathematics-computer science and natural sciences continue to be at the center of interest for a large share of middle school graduates in Bucharest.

Chosen trackShare of students’ options

Theoretical | 75%
Vocational | 8.85%
Technological | 5.6%
Vocational/professional education | 1.44%

A simple outline looks like this:

Eighth-grade students → choosing the path after middle school → clear preference for the theoretical track → science profile ahead of humanities

These data are important especially in the context of the 2026 admission process, because strong interest in theoretical high schools may mean higher competition for the national colleges at the top of students’ preferences.

Top 10 theoretical high schools preferred by students in Bucharest

The “Gheorghe Lazăr” National College ranks first in the preferences of eighth-grade students. The high school has been a pilot school for the fifth consecutive year and has 10 classes in its offer for the 2026–2027 school year, meaning 280 available places.

In second place is the “I.L. Caragiale” National College, which has climbed from third place compared with last year. The college has 252 available places, organized in 9 classes. Third place is held by the “Spiru Haret” National College, with 224 places in 8 classes.

Rank / High school / college / Change compared with last year

A visible change is the exit of the “George Coșbuc” Bilingual National College from the top 10, replaced this year by the “Tudor Vianu” National College of Computer Science. For students and parents following the admission process, this shift is relevant because it shows how preferences can change from one year to another, even for very well-known high schools.

It should also be noted that this ranking is not the same as the ranking based on admission averages. For example, the “Gheorghe Lazăr” National College and the “Sfântul Sava” National College had some of the highest admission averages in Bucharest last year, with 9.82 for certain science-profile specializations, according to an Edupedu.ro analysis based on admission data.

What students choose in the vocational track: pedagogy, sports and arts

In the vocational track, the first option remains the “Elena Cuza” National College, with a pedagogical profile. It is the third consecutive year, in the last decade, in which this profile has attracted the highest number of students among vocational options in Bucharest.

The important new development this year is the rise of the “Mircea Eliade” Sports High School to second place, ahead of the “Nicolae Tonitza” Fine Arts High School, which held second place last year. The data show that interest in the sports profile is growing, while arts remain visible in the ranking.

RankVocational high school / collegeAssociated profile

For families considering a vocational high school, the difference compared with the theoretical track is important: admission may include aptitude tests, not only allocation based on the admission average. That is why students interested in pedagogy, sports, arts, music or choreography should check the test calendar and required documents in advance, including through the admission brochure published by ISMB.

The ranking of technological high schools preferred by students

The technological track is chosen by 5.6% of surveyed students, a much lower percentage than the theoretical track. Even so, technological high schools remain important for students who want a more practical path, with specializations related to economics, services, commerce or technical fields.

The ranking of preferences for the technological track mainly includes well-known economic colleges in Bucharest. This shows that, in the technological area, students tend to focus more on economics and services than on classic technical trades.

Rank / Technological high school / college

For students who do not feel suited to the pressure of theoretical high schools, the technological track may be an option worth considering more seriously. The choice should not be made only according to the popularity of national colleges, but according to the child’s profile, the type of learning that suits them and the field in which they might want to work later.

How parents and students should read this ranking

This ranking is useful, but it needs to be read correctly. It does not automatically say which high school is “better”, but shows where students say they would prefer to go. Preference may be influenced by the reputation of the school, proximity to home, friends, parents, previous years’ admission averages or the general image of the institution.

For a safer choice, parents and students should place this ranking alongside other information: last year’s admission average, available specializations, distance from home, schedule, exam results, the atmosphere in the school and, very importantly, the match between the high school profile and the child’s pace.

What the ranking showsWhat the ranking does not show

The high schools preferred by surveyed students | The final admission average for 2026
Choice trends before admission | The full quality of school life
The difference between theoretical, vocational and technological tracks | How suitable the high school is for each child
Interest in certain national colleges | The actual level of stress or competitiveness in each school

A simple scheme for choosing a high school could look like this:

Student preference + realistic average + suitable profile + reasonable distance + information about the school = a more balanced list of options

For eighth-grade students, rankings can be a good starting point, but they should not be the only criterion. A highly sought-after high school is not automatically the ideal choice for everyone, while a less fashionable option may be much better suited to a child who knows which profile fits them.

Why the ranking matters for the 2026 high school admission

In Bucharest, competition for well-known high schools remains high, and students’ preferences can anticipate the areas where pressure will be greater. Colleges in the top positions, such as “Gheorghe Lazăr”, “I.L. Caragiale”, “Spiru Haret”, “Gheorghe Șincai” or “Sfântul Sava”, are already reference points for many families.

At the same time, the CMBRAE data also show a broader reality: most students continue to see the theoretical track as the main route after middle school, while the technological track and professional education remain much less chosen options. This trend may influence not only the 2026 admission process, but also the way available places are planned in high schools across the Capital.

Saint Sava National College, from the Royal Academy founded by Constantin Cantacuzino to the prestigious high school of today

For students and parents, the practical conclusion is simple: the ranking is worth consulting, but the final decision should be made carefully. The chosen high school is not just a name on a list, but the place where the child will learn, grow and build the next four years of their life.

PHOTO: Profimedia

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