Few aspects play a more important role in a child’s development than their educational experience. But among the nearly 50 million American public school students in grades K-12, the quality of that experience varies considerably.
Key measures – ranging from annual budgets to graduation rates, and everything in between – show that there is no shortage of struggling school districts in the United States. Many public school districts across the country are understaffed, underfunded, and underperforming. (Here is a look at the best private high schools in America.)
Still, there are also school districts that are notable for the opposite reasons. These districts have a track record of high graduation rates, and they offer students updated facilities, a range of extracurricular activity options, and a dedicated teaching staff.
Using data compiled by Niche, an education research platform, 24/7 Wall St. identified the best public school district in each state for 2023. Niche ranked school districts based on a weighted index of seven measures, including self-reported standardized test scores, parent and student surveys, extracurricular activities, and indicators of teacher quality. A full description of each measure and its weighting is available here.
School districts in the United States are often funded largely at the local level, and many of the districts on this list are in relatively wealthy areas, with a strong tax base to draw from. Several school districts on this list, including those in California, New Mexico, Ohio, and Virginia, have median household incomes in excess of $100,000. In New York, the top ranking school district is in a town where most households earn over $200,000. (Here is a look at the richest school district in each state.)
It is important to note that state governments have considerable leverage over education policy and that overall school quality can vary considerably from one state to the next. Partially as a result, high-ranking districts in some states may rank less favorably when compared to districts in other states. For example, the best school district in Mississippi ranks 286th in the nation. Meanwhile, three of the five highest rated school districts nationwide are in New York state.
Click here to see the best school district in every state.
Source: Courtesy of Bob Jones High School via Facebook
Alabama: Madison City Schools
> Location: Madison
> Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 97%
> Students proficient in reading: 73%
> Students proficient in math: 76%
> Total enrollment: 11,804
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of Skagway School District via Facebook
Alaska: Skagway School District
> Location: Skagway
> Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
> Avg. graduation rate: N/A
> Students proficient in reading: 85% – 89%
> Students proficient in math: 75% – 79%
> Total enrollment: 144
Source: Courtesy of Catalina Foothills Unified School District via Facebook
Arizona: Catalina Foothills Unified School District
> Location: Catalina Foothills
> Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 95%
> Students proficient in reading: 70%
> Students proficient in math: 67%
> Total enrollment: 5,190
Source: haashall.org
Arkansas: Haas Hall Academy
> Location: Fayetteville
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 95%
> Students proficient in reading: 89%
> Students proficient in math: 89%
> Total enrollment: 1,407
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Canyons School District / Facebook
California: Palo Alto Unified School District
> Location: Palo Alto
> Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 95%
> Students proficient in reading: 81%
> Students proficient in math: 81%
> Total enrollment: 11,395
Colorado: Cheyenne Mountain School District No. 12
> Location: Colorado Springs
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 96%
> Students proficient in reading: 72%
> Students proficient in math: 61%
> Total enrollment: 5,270
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of Westport Public Schools via Facebook
Connecticut: Westport School District
> Location: Westport
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 99%
> Students proficient in reading: 85%
> Students proficient in math: 82%
> Total enrollment: 5,329
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Delaware: Appoquinimink School District
> Location: Odessa
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 95%
> Students proficient in reading: 65%
> Students proficient in math: 50%
> Total enrollment: 11,914
Source: Michael Rivera / Wikimedia Commons
Florida: St. Johns County School District
> Location: St. Augustine
> Student-teacher ratio: 22:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 94%
> Students proficient in reading: 75%
> Students proficient in math: 80%
> Total enrollment: 44,550
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Courtesy of Buford City Schools via Facebook
Georgia: Buford City Schools
> Location: Buford
> Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 93%
> Students proficient in reading: 67%
> Students proficient in math: 75%
> Total enrollment: 5,468
Source: Courtesy of Hawai'i Public Schools via Facebook
Hawaii: Hawaii Department of Education
> Location: Statewide (only school district in state)
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 85%
> Students proficient in reading: 53%
> Students proficient in math: 42%
> Total enrollment: 176,441
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of Idaho Falls High School via Facebook
Idaho: Troy School District
> Location: Troy
> Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 90%
> Students proficient in reading: 85% – 89%
> Students proficient in math: 80% – 84%
> Total enrollment: 270
Source: Courtesy of Adlai E. Stevenson High School via Facebook
Illinois: Adlai E. Stevenson High School District No. 125
> Location: Lincolnshire
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 96%
> Students proficient in reading: 75%
> Students proficient in math: 76%
> Total enrollment: 4,315
Source: West Lafayette Junior/Senior High School / Facebook
Indiana: West Lafayette Community School Corporation
> Location: West Lafayette
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 95%
> Students proficient in reading: 72%
> Students proficient in math: 72%
> Total enrollment: 2,316
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Courtesy of Pleasant Valley Community School District via Facebook
Iowa: Pleasant Valley Community School District
> Location: Riverdale
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 97%
> Students proficient in reading: 87%
> Students proficient in math: 91%
> Total enrollment: 5,331
Source: Courtesy of Blue Valley School District via Facebook
Kansas: Blue Valley Unified School District (Overland Park)
> Location: Overland Park
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 96%
> Students proficient in reading: 61%
> Students proficient in math: 55%
> Total enrollment: 22,148
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of Murray Independent School District via Facebook
Kentucky: Murray Independent Schools
> Location: Murray
> Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 95%
> Students proficient in reading: 77%
> Students proficient in math: 73%
> Total enrollment: 1,783
Source: Courtesy of Zachary Community School District via Facebook
Louisiana: Zachary Community Public Schools
> Location: Zachary
> Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 94%
> Students proficient in reading: 88%
> Students proficient in math: 84%
> Total enrollment: 5,444
Source: Courtesy of Yarmouth Schools via Facebook
Maine: Yarmouth Schools
> Location: Yarmouth
> Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 95%
> Students proficient in reading: 79%
> Students proficient in math: 66%
> Total enrollment: 1,670
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Courtesy of Howard County Public School System via Facebook
Maryland: Howard County Public Schools
> Location: Columbia
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 93%
> Students proficient in reading: 60%
> Students proficient in math: 56%
> Total enrollment: 57,293
Massachusetts: Weston Public Schools
> Location: Weston
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 95%
> Students proficient in reading: 83%
> Students proficient in math: 82%
> Total enrollment: 1,906
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of Novi Community School District via Facebook
Michigan: Novi Community School District
> Location: Novi
> Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 95%
> Students proficient in reading: 73%
> Students proficient in math: 76%
> Total enrollment: 6,580
Source: Courtesy of Wayzata Public School District via Facebook
Minnesota: Wayzata Public School District
> Location: Plymouth
> Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 96%
> Students proficient in reading: 81%
> Students proficient in math: 79%
> Total enrollment: 12,013
Source: Courtesy Petal School District / Facebook
Mississippi: Petal School District
> Location: Petal
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 90%
> Students proficient in reading: 62%
> Students proficient in math: 76%
> Total enrollment: 4,106
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Courtesy of School District of Clayton via Facebook
Missouri: School District of Clayton
> Location: Clayton
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 99%
> Students proficient in reading: 74%
> Students proficient in math: 72%
> Total enrollment: 2,514
Source: Courtesy of Geraldine Public School, Geraldine MT via Facebook
Montana: Geraldine Public Schools
> Location: Geraldine
> Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
> Avg. graduation rate: N/A
> Students proficient in reading: 20% – 29%
> Students proficient in math: 30% – 39%
> Total enrollment: 49
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of Elkhorn Public Schools via Facebook
Nebraska: Elkhorn Public Schools
> Location: Omaha
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 97%
> Students proficient in reading: 82%
> Students proficient in math: 84%
> Total enrollment: 10,642
Source: Bart133 / Wikimedia Commons
Nevada: Douglas County School District
> Location: Minden
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 91%
> Students proficient in reading: 55%
> Students proficient in math: 44%
> Total enrollment: 5,385
Source: Courtesy of Hanover High School via Facebook
New Hampshire: SAU 70
> Location: Hanover
> Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 92%
> Students proficient in reading: 84%
> Students proficient in math: 76%
> Total enrollment: 1,054
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
New Jersey: Millburn Township School District
> Location: Millburn Township
> Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 99%
> Students proficient in reading: 88%
> Students proficient in math: 83%
> Total enrollment: 4,697
Source: Courtesy of Los Alamos Public Schools via Facebook
New Mexico: Los Alamos Public Schools
> Location: Los Alamos
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 91%
> Students proficient in reading: 58%
> Students proficient in math: 47%
> Total enrollment: 3,539
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of Great Neck Public Schools via Facebook
New York: Great Neck Public Schools
> Location: Lake Success
> Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 96%
> Students proficient in reading: 83%
> Students proficient in math: 86%
> Total enrollment: 6,831
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools via Facebook
North Carolina: Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
> Location: Chapel Hill
> Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 91%
> Students proficient in reading: 67%
> Students proficient in math: 64%
> Total enrollment: 11,926
Source: Courtesy of Edmore Public School via Facebook
North Dakota: Edmore School District No. 2
> Location: Edmore
> Student-teacher ratio: 3:1
> Avg. graduation rate: N/A
> Students proficient in reading: 70% – 79%
> Students proficient in math: 60% – 69%
> Total enrollment: 35
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Courtesy of Solon Schools via Facebook
Ohio: Solon City School District
> Location: Solon
> Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 96%
> Students proficient in reading: 94%
> Students proficient in math: 96%
> Total enrollment: 4,521
Source: Courtesy of Edmond Public Schools Foundation via Facebook
Oklahoma: Edmond Public Schools
> Location: Edmond
> Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 94%
> Students proficient in reading: 52%
> Students proficient in math: 50%
> Total enrollment: 23,496
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of Lake Oswego School District via Facebook
Oregon: Lake Oswego School District
> Location: Lake Oswego
> Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 95%
> Students proficient in reading: 84%
> Students proficient in math: 74%
> Total enrollment: 6,860
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of Radnor High School
Pennsylvania: Radnor Township School District
> Location: Radnor Township
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 97%
> Students proficient in reading: 88%
> Students proficient in math: 78%
> Total enrollment: 3,624
Source: Courtesy of Barrington Public Schools via Facebook
Rhode Island: Barrington Public Schools
> Location: Barrington
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 94%
> Students proficient in reading: 75%
> Students proficient in math: 66%
> Total enrollment: 3,388
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Courtesy of Fort Mill School District via Facebook
South Carolina: Fort Mill School District
> Location: Fort Mill
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 95%
> Students proficient in reading: 71%
> Students proficient in math: 74%
> Total enrollment: 16,883
Source: Courtesy of Brandon Valley High School via Facebook
South Dakota: Brandon Valley School District
> Location: Brandon
> Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 95%
> Students proficient in reading: 72%
> Students proficient in math: 66%
> Total enrollment: 4,721
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of Maryville City Schools via Facebook
Tennessee: Maryville City Schools
> Location: Maryville
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 95%
> Students proficient in reading: 58%
> Students proficient in math: 61%
> Total enrollment: 5,441
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of Eanes ISD via Facebook
Texas: Eanes Independent School District
> Location: Austin
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 99%
> Students proficient in reading: 82%
> Students proficient in math: 81%
> Total enrollment: 7,968
Source: Courtesy of Northern Utah Academy for Math Engineering & Science (Nuames) via Facebook
Utah: Northern Utah Academy for Math Engineering & Science (Nuames)
> Location: Layton
> Student-teacher ratio: 27:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 95%
> Students proficient in reading: 82%
> Students proficient in math: 79%
> Total enrollment: 1,135
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Courtesy of South Burlington High School Alumni via Facebook
Vermont: South Burlington School District
> Location: South Burlington
> Student-teacher ratio: 22:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 91%
> Students proficient in reading: 71%
> Students proficient in math: 59%
> Total enrollment: 2,688
Source: Courtesy of Falls Church City Public Schools via Facebook
Virginia: Falls Church City Public Schools
> Location: Falls Church
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 98%
> Students proficient in reading: 91%
> Students proficient in math: 90%
> Total enrollment: 2,500
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of Mercer Island School District via Facebook
Washington: Mercer Island School District
> Location: Mercer Island
> Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 93%
> Students proficient in reading: 87%
> Students proficient in math: 83%
> Total enrollment: 4,192
24/7 Wall St.
Source: BackyardProduction / Getty Images
West Virginia: Monongalia County Schools
> Location: Morgantown
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 91%
> Students proficient in reading: 55%
> Students proficient in math: 50%
> Total enrollment: 11,113
Source: Courtesy of Elmbrook Schools via Facebook
Wisconsin: Elmbrook School District
> Location: Brookfield
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 97%
> Students proficient in reading: 61%
> Students proficient in math: 68%
> Total enrollment: 7,280
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Courtesy of Sheridan School District 2 via Facebook
Wyoming: Sheridan County School District No. 2
> Location: Sheridan
> Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 86%
> Students proficient in reading: 75%
> Students proficient in math: 72%
> Total enrollment: 3,519
Essential Tips for Investing: Sponsored
A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. If you’re an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
