The website Niche has come out with the best public school rankings in the state.

According to the website, the best public school in New Jersey went to Bergen County Academies in Hackensack, followed by the High Technology High School in Lincroft and the Union County Magnet High School in Scotch Plains.

Rounding out the top 5 was the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science in Manahawkin and Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School in Jersey City.

The yearly study is compiled mainly through data from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of questionnaire reviews by students and parents from New Jersey.

To see the full list, click here.

Meanwhile, the Thomas Edison Energy Smart Charter School received a big recognition.

A team of students participated in the Zero Robotics High School competition held at MIT.

Their program was tested live via video feed at the International Space Center.

The students worked with a team from Romania for the finals.

The team's "Eco-sphere's" design earned them fourth place and a competitors award.

Approximately 200 teams from all over the world joined the competition.

In Union County, McManus Middle School in Linden introduced its first free after-school program.

The program is all thanks to "After-School All-Stars," a provider of after-school programming throughout Newark, and a 21 century grant of $250,000.

Classes are focused on academic and social skill development in project-based learning environments.

The goal of the program is for students to graduate from high school, go to college, find careers they love, and give back to their communities.