Though not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, all children living in the United States have the right to a free, public education – and across the country, there are nearly 50 million K-12 students enrolled in a public school. But while equal access to education is guaranteed, the quality of that education is not.
Many school districts across the country are understaffed, underfunded, and underperforming. Meanwhile, there are also school districts that are notable for the opposite reasons. These districts offer students updated facilities, a range of extracurricular activity options, and a dedicated teaching staff, and they have a track record of high graduation rates. (Here is a look at the best private high schools in America.)
Using data compiled by Niche, an education research platform, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 50 best public school districts in America 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 typically 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. In many districts on this list, most households earn over $100,000 a year. (Here is a look at the richest school district in every state.)
The majority of districts on this list are located in the Midwest and the Northeast, including 12 in Illinois and 10 in New York. That these districts are concentrated in a handful of states is no coincidence. State governments have considerable leverage over education policy – including levels of investment – and as a result, overall school quality can vary considerably from one state to the next. (Here is a look at how much each state spends on public schools.)
Click here to see the best-ranked school districts in America.
Source: Courtesy of San Ramon Valley Unified School District via Facebook
50. Acalanes Union High School District
> Location: Lafayette, CA
> Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 96%
> Students proficient in reading: 89%
> Students proficient in math: 72%
> Total enrollment: 5,535
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Source: Courtesy of Solon Schools via Facebook
49. Solon City School District
> Location: Solon, OH
> Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 96%
> Students proficient in reading: 94%
> Students proficient in math: 96%
> Total enrollment: 4,521
48. Dover-Sherborn Regional School District
> Location: Dover, MA
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 92%
> Students proficient in reading: 80%
> Students proficient in math: 80%
> Total enrollment: 1,185
Source: Courtesy of Barrington 220 School District via Facebook
47. Barrington Community Unit School District No. 220
> Location: Barrington, IL
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 97%
> Students proficient in reading: 60%
> Students proficient in math: 56%
> Total enrollment: 8,247
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Source: Courtesy of Wayzata Public School District via Facebook
46. Wayzata Public School District
> Location: Plymouth, MN
> 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 of Elmbrook Schools via Facebook
45. Elmbrook School District
> Location: Brookfield, WI
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 97%
> Students proficient in reading: 61%
> Students proficient in math: 68%
> Total enrollment: 7,280
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Source: massdot / Flickr
44. Lexington Public Schools
> Location: Lexington, MA
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 97%
> Students proficient in reading: 80%
> Students proficient in math: 83%
> Total enrollment: 6,901
Source: Courtesy of Princeton Public Schools, New Jersey via Facebook
43. Princeton Public Schools
> Location: Princeton, NJ
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 96%
> Students proficient in reading: 78%
> Students proficient in math: 63%
> Total enrollment: 3,740
Source: William Thomas Cain / Getty Images News via Getty Images
42. Lower Merion School District
> Location: Ardmore, PA
> Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 97%
> Students proficient in reading: 88%
> Students proficient in math: 79%
> Total enrollment: 8,603
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Source: Courtesy of Wellesley High School via Facebook
41. Wellesley Public Schools
> Location: Wellesley, MA
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 98%
> Students proficient in reading: 80%
> Students proficient in math: 77%
> Total enrollment: 4,432
Source: Not Found
40. San Dieguito Union High School District
> Location: Encinitas, CA
> Student-teacher ratio: 25:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 95%
> Students proficient in reading: 79%
> Students proficient in math: 72%
> Total enrollment: 13,001
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Source: Courtesy of North Allegheny School District via Facebook
39. North Allegheny School District
> Location: McCandless Township, PA
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 94%
> Students proficient in reading: 86%
> Students proficient in math: 71%
> Total enrollment: 8,499
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Source: Courtesy of South Texas ISD via Facebook
38. South Texas Independent School District
> Location: Mercedes, TX
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 99%
> Students proficient in reading: 80%
> Students proficient in math: 84%
> Total enrollment: 4,194
37. East Williston Union Free School District
> Location: Old Westbury, NY
> Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 95%
> Students proficient in reading: 83%
> Students proficient in math: 89%
> Total enrollment: 1,666
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Source: Courtesy of Neuqua Valley High School via Facebook
36. Indian Prairie Community Unit School District No. 204
> Location: Aurora, IL
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 96%
> Students proficient in reading: 59%
> Students proficient in math: 57%
> Total enrollment: 26,091
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
35. Manhasset Union Free School District
> Location: Manhasset, NY
> Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 99%
> Students proficient in reading: 82%
> Students proficient in math: 86%
> Total enrollment: 3,051
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Source: Courtesy of Hopkinton Public Schools via Facebook
34. Hopkinton Public Schools
> Location: Hopkinton, MA
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 98%
> Students proficient in reading: 81%
> Students proficient in math: 80%
> Total enrollment: 3,932
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Source: Courtesy of Northern Valley Regional High School District via Facebook
33. Northern Valley Regional High School District
> Location: Demarest, NJ
> Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 98%
> Students proficient in reading: 87%
> Students proficient in math: 72%
> Total enrollment: 2,101
Source: Courtesy of La Canada High School - Spartans via Facebook
32. La Canada Unified School District
> Location: La Cañada Flintridge, CA
> Student-teacher ratio: 24:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 99%
> Students proficient in reading: 89%
> Students proficient in math: 85%
> Total enrollment: 3,988
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31. Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District
> Location: Los Gatos, CA
> Student-teacher ratio: 22:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 98%
> Students proficient in reading: 86%
> Students proficient in math: 78%
> Total enrollment: 3,470
Source: Courtesy of Half Hollow Hills Central School District via Facebook
30. Half Hollow Hills Central School District
> Location: Dix Hills, NY
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 95%
> Students proficient in reading: 70%
> Students proficient in math: 78%
> Total enrollment: 7,604
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
29. Millburn Township School District
> Location: Millburn Township, NJ
> Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 99%
> Students proficient in reading: 88%
> Students proficient in math: 83%
> Total enrollment: 4,697
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Source: Courtesy of Township High School District 211 via Facebook
28. Township High School District No. 211
> Location: Palatine, IL
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 95%
> Students proficient in reading: 47%
> Students proficient in math: 53%
> Total enrollment: 11,968
Source: Courtesy of Tredyffrin/Easttown School District via Facebook
27. Tredyffrin-Easttown School District
> Location: Tredyffrin Township, PA
> Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 97%
> Students proficient in reading: 88%
> Students proficient in math: 74%
> Total enrollment: 6,957
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Source: Courtesy of Niles Township Community High School District 219 via Facebook
26. Niles Township Community High School District No. 219
> Location: Skokie, IL
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 93%
> Students proficient in reading: 47%
> Students proficient in math: 46%
> Total enrollment: 4,659
Source: Courtesy of Naperville Community Unit School District No 203 via Facebook
25. Naperville Community Unit School District No. 203
> Location: Naperville, IL
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 98%
> Students proficient in reading: 72%
> Students proficient in math: 64%
> Total enrollment: 16,289
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Source: Courtesy of Hinsdale Township High School District 86 via Facebook
24. Hinsdale Township High School District No. 86
> Location: Hinsdale, IL
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 92%
> Students proficient in reading: 64%
> Students proficient in math: 67%
> Total enrollment: 3,976
23. Weston Public Schools
> Location: Weston, MA
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 95%
> Students proficient in reading: 83%
> Students proficient in math: 82%
> Total enrollment: 1,906
Source: Courtesy of MVLA - Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District via Facebook
22. Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District
> Location: Mountain View, CA
> Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 92%
> Students proficient in reading: 82%
> Students proficient in math: 68%
> Total enrollment: 4,563
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
21. New Canaan Public Schools
> Location: New Canaan, CT
> Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 98%
> Students proficient in reading: 90%
> Students proficient in math: 87%
> Total enrollment: 4,155
Source: Courtesy of Herricks Public Schools via Facebook
20. Herricks Union Free School District
> Location: Herricks, NY
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 97%
> Students proficient in reading: 83%
> Students proficient in math: 86%
> Total enrollment: 4,039
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Source: Courtesy of GW Hewlett High School Class of 1986 30th Reunion via Facebook
19. Hewlett-Woodmere Union Free School District
> Location: Woodmere, NY
> Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 96%
> Students proficient in reading: 82%
> Students proficient in math: 79%
> Total enrollment: 2,938
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Source: Courtesy of Evanston Township High School via Facebook
18. Evanston Township High School District No. 202
> Location: Evanston, IL
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 92%
> Students proficient in reading: 52%
> Students proficient in math: 50%
> Total enrollment: 3,731
Source: Courtesy of Westport Public Schools via Facebook
17. Westport School District
> Location: Westport, CT
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 99%
> Students proficient in reading: 85%
> Students proficient in math: 82%
> Total enrollment: 5,329
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Source: Courtesy of Township High School District 113 via Facebook
16. Township High School District No. 113
> Location: Highland Park, IL
> Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 95%
> Students proficient in reading: 68%
> Students proficient in math: 66%
> Total enrollment: 3,386
Source: Ladue School District / Facebook
15. Ladue School District
> Location: Ladue, MO
> Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 99%
> Students proficient in reading: 72%
> Students proficient in math: 70%
> Total enrollment: 4,325
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Source: Courtesy of Radnor High School
14. Radnor Township School District
> Location: Radnor Township, PA
> 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 School District of Clayton via Facebook
13. School District of Clayton
> Location: Clayton, MO
> 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 Libertyville High School College & Career Resource Center via Facebook
12. Community High School District 128
> Location: Vernon Hills, IL
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 98%
> Students proficient in reading: 72%
> Students proficient in math: 73%
> Total enrollment: 3,379
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Source: Courtesy of Scarsdale Public School via Facebook
11. Scarsdale Union Free School District
> Location: Scarsdale, NY
> Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 99%
> Students proficient in reading: 87%
> Students proficient in math: 90%
> Total enrollment: 4,657
Source: Courtesy of Eanes ISD via Facebook
10. Eanes Independent School District
> Location: Austin, TX
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 99%
> Students proficient in reading: 82%
> Students proficient in math: 81%
> Total enrollment: 7,968
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Source: Canyons School District / Facebook
9. Palo Alto Unified School District
> Location: Palo Alto, CA
> Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 95%
> Students proficient in reading: 81%
> Students proficient in math: 81%
> Total enrollment: 11,395
Source: West Lafayette Junior/Senior High School / Facebook
8. West Lafayette Community School Corporation
> Location: West Lafayette, IN
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 95%
> Students proficient in reading: 72%
> Students proficient in math: 72%
> Total enrollment: 2,316
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
7. New Trier Township High School District No. 203
> Location: Northfield, IL
> Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 98%
> Students proficient in reading: 81%
> Students proficient in math: 80%
> Total enrollment: 4,030
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6. Roslyn Union Free School District
> Location: East Hills, NY
> Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 98%
> Students proficient in reading: 79%
> Students proficient in math: 85%
> Total enrollment: 3,204
Source: Courtesy of Syosset Central School District via Facebook
5. Syosset Central School District
> Location: Syosset, NY
> Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 98%
> Students proficient in reading: 76%
> Students proficient in math: 89%
> Total enrollment: 6,578
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Source: Courtesy of Jericho Wrestling Alumni via Facebook
4. Jericho Union Free School District
> Location: Oyster Bay, NY
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 98%
> Students proficient in reading: 88%
> Students proficient in math: 92%
> Total enrollment: 3,153
Source: Courtesy of Great Neck Public Schools via Facebook
3. Great Neck Public Schools
> Location: Lake Success, NY
> Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 96%
> Students proficient in reading: 83%
> Students proficient in math: 86%
> Total enrollment: 6,831
Source: Courtesy of Glenbrook High School Foundation via Facebook
2. Glenbrook High Schools District 225
> Location: Glenview, IL
> Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 97%
> Students proficient in reading: 67%
> Students proficient in math: 69%
> Total enrollment: 5,164
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Source: Courtesy of Adlai E. Stevenson High School via Facebook
1. Adlai E. Stevenson High School District No. 125
> Location: Lincolnshire, IL
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
> Avg. graduation rate: 96%
> Students proficient in reading: 75%
> Students proficient in math: 76%
> Total enrollment: 4,315
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