Stacker takes a look at the best school district in every state based on 2022 data from Niche.
The best school district in every state
Intro
Between parental politics, after-school programs, and PTA meetings, navigating school districts can be hard—and choosing the district that is best for your child is even harder.
Stacker analyzed 2021 data from Niche to calculate the best school district in every state. Niche rankings rely on statistics from the U.S. Department of Education, SAT/ACT scores, college readiness, teacher quality, and graduation rates. Of course, ratings are one thing and experiences another—which is why it's always smart to do your research and learn about the families, teachers, and students in a given district before basing something as important as a move on a particular school.
Various districts prioritize funding for different programs, and some have more of a knack for hiring and retaining nurturing teachers. For some districts, it seems to be a numbers game without any thought regarding the learning environment. Still other districts encourage kids to explore passions and make friends but are lagging academically. A top school district isn’t just one or the other; it’s a combination of the two.
Keep reading to see how your district stacks up, or to help narrow your search for where you plan to move and raise a family.
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Alabama: Madison City Schools
- Location: Madison, AL
- Students: 11,290
- Student to teacher ratio: 18:1
- Reading proficient: 74%
- Math proficient: 76%
- Graduation rate: 96%
- Expenditure per student: $10,075
- Average teacher salary: $56,964
Alaska: Skagway School District
- Location: Skagway, AK
- Students: 141
- Student to teacher ratio: 10:1
- Reading proficient: 87%
- Math proficient: 82%
- Graduation rate: data unavailable
- Expenditure per student: $27,098
- Average teacher salary: data unavailable
Arizona: Catalina Foothills Unified School District
- Location: Tucson, AZ
- Students: 5,427
- Student to teacher ratio: 19:1
- Reading proficient: 70%
- Math proficient: 69%
- Graduation rate: 98%
- Expenditure per student: $9,023
- Average teacher salary: $45,311
Arkansas: Haas Hall Academy
- Location: Fayetteville, AR
- Students: 941
- Student to teacher ratio: 16:1
- Reading proficient: 91%
- Math proficient: 90%
- Graduation rate: 95%
- Expenditure per student: $8,247
- Average teacher salary: $19,430
California: Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District
- Location: Los Gatos, CA
- Students: 3,520
- Student to teacher ratio: 22:1
- Reading proficient: 84%
- Math proficient: 74%
- Graduation rate: 97%
- Expenditure per student: $22,373
- Average teacher salary: $109,507
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Colorado: Cheyenne Mountain School District No. 12
- Location: Colorado Springs, CO
- Students: 5,274
- Student to teacher ratio: 15:1
- Reading proficient: 69%
- Math proficient: 62%
- Graduation rate: 95%
- Expenditure per student: $12,794
- Average teacher salary: $49,119
Connecticut: Westport School District
- Location: Westport, CT
- Students: 5,509
- Student to teacher ratio: 11:1
- Reading proficient: 85%
- Math proficient: 81%
- Graduation rate: 99%
- Expenditure per student: $24,436
- Average teacher salary: $78,283
Delaware: Cape Henlopen School District
- Location: Lewes, DE
- Students: 5,643
- Student to teacher ratio: 13:1
- Reading proficient: 63%
- Math proficient: 54%
- Graduation rate: 87%
- Expenditure per student: $27,295
- Average teacher salary: $54,163
Florida: St. Johns County School District
- Location: St Augustine, FL
- Students: 41,897
- Student to teacher ratio: 18:1
- Reading proficient: 74%
- Math proficient: 79%
- Graduation rate: 93%
- Expenditure per student: $10,614
- Average teacher salary: $40,715
Georgia: Buford City Schools
- Location: Buford, GA
- Students: 4,966
- Student to teacher ratio: 12:1
- Reading proficient: 65%
- Math proficient: 75%
- Graduation rate: 93%
- Expenditure per student: $14,134
- Average teacher salary: $62,865
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Hawaii: Hawaii Department of Education
- Location: Honolulu, HI
- Students: 181,278
- Student to teacher ratio: 15:1
- Reading proficient: 54%
- Math proficient: 42%
- Graduation rate: 84%
- Expenditure per student: $15,305
- Average teacher salary: $64,871
Idaho: McCall-Donnelly School District
- Location: Mccall, ID
- Students: 1,285
- Student to teacher ratio: 16:1
- Reading proficient: 76%
- Math proficient: 64%
- Graduation rate: 92%
- Expenditure per student: $12,644
- Average teacher salary: $63,957
Illinois: Adlai E. Stevenson High School District No. 125
- Location: Lincolnshire, IL
- Students: 4,265
- Student to teacher ratio: 15:1
- Reading proficient: 77%
- Math proficient: 78%
- Graduation rate: 96%
- Expenditure per student: $27,205
- Average teacher salary: $93,403
Indiana: West Lafayette Community School Corporation
- Location: West Lafayette, IN
- Students: 2,411
- Student to teacher ratio: 17:1
- Reading proficient: 84%
- Math proficient: 80%
- Graduation rate: 95%
- Expenditure per student: data unavailable
- Average teacher salary: data unavailable
Iowa: Pleasant Valley Community School District
- Location: Bettendorf, IA
- Students: 5,084
- Student to teacher ratio: 16:1
- Reading proficient: 90%
- Math proficient: 93%
- Graduation rate: 98%
- Expenditure per student: $12,790
- Average teacher salary: $62,711
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Kansas: Blue Valley Unified School District (Overland Park)
- Location: Overland Park, KS
- Students: 22,783
- Student to teacher ratio: 14:1
- Reading proficient: 63%
- Math proficient: 57%
- Graduation rate: 97%
- Expenditure per student: $12,597
- Average teacher salary: $52,026
Kentucky: Fort Thomas Independent Schools
- Location: Fort Thomas, KY
- Students: 3,129
- Student to teacher ratio: 17:1
- Reading proficient: 79%
- Math proficient: 76%
- Graduation rate: 96%
- Expenditure per student: $13,947
- Average teacher salary: $61,062
Louisiana: Zachary Community Public Schools
- Location: Zachary, LA
- Students: 5,551
- Student to teacher ratio: 18:1
- Reading proficient: 84%
- Math proficient: 83%
- Graduation rate: 93%
- Expenditure per student: $11,024
- Average teacher salary: $63,115
Maine: Yarmouth Schools
- Location: Yarmouth, ME
- Students: 1,652
- Student to teacher ratio: 13:1
- Reading proficient: 77%
- Math proficient: 70%
- Graduation rate: 95%
- Expenditure per student: $15,532
- Average teacher salary: $76,051
Maryland: Howard County Public Schools
- Location: Ellicott City, MD
- Students: 57,907
- Student to teacher ratio: 13:1
- Reading proficient: 55%
- Math proficient: 59%
- Graduation rate: 92%
- Expenditure per student: $17,691
- Average teacher salary: $75,357
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Massachusetts: Hopkinton Public Schools
- Location: Hopkinton, MA
- Students: 3,685
- Student to teacher ratio: 14:1
- Reading proficient: 81%
- Math proficient: 80%
- Graduation rate: 98%
- Expenditure per student: $21,205
- Average teacher salary: $90,157
Michigan: Novi Community School District
- Location: Novi, MI
- Students: 6,694
- Student to teacher ratio: 16:1
- Reading proficient: 58%
- Math proficient: 65%
- Graduation rate: 95%
- Expenditure per student: $15,743
- Average teacher salary: $64,153
Minnesota: Minnetonka Public School District
- Location: Minnetonka, MN
- Students: 10,970
- Student to teacher ratio: 16:1
- Reading proficient: 82%
- Math proficient: 81%
- Graduation rate: 97%
- Expenditure per student: data unavailable
- Average teacher salary: $70,887
Mississippi: Petal School District
- Location: Petal, MS
- Students: 4,137
- Student to teacher ratio: 15:1
- Reading proficient: 62%
- Math proficient: 74%
- Graduation rate: 88%
- Expenditure per student: $9,121
- Average teacher salary: $45,799
Missouri: School District of Clayton
- Location: Clayton, MO
- Students: 2,644
- Student to teacher ratio: 11:1
- Reading proficient: 74%
- Math proficient: 74%
- Graduation rate: 99%
- Expenditure per student: $24,173
- Average teacher salary: $87,936
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Montana: Hobson Public Schools
- Location: Hobson, MT
- Students: 117
- Student to teacher ratio: 8:1
- Reading proficient: 65%
- Math proficient: 45%
- Graduation rate: data unavailable
- Expenditure per student: $20,536
- Average teacher salary: $47,034
Nebraska: Elkhorn Public Schools
- Location: Elkhorn, NE
- Students: 9,857
- Student to teacher ratio: 16:1
- Reading proficient: 81%
- Math proficient: 82%
- Graduation rate: 98%
- Expenditure per student: $12,789
- Average teacher salary: $52,076
Nevada: Eureka County School District
- Location: Eureka, NV
- Students: 321
- Student to teacher ratio: 5:1
- Reading proficient: 67%
- Math proficient: 42%
- Graduation rate: data unavailable
- Expenditure per student: $31,373
- Average teacher salary: $86,955
New Hampshire: SAU 70
- Location: Hanover, NH
- Students: 1,125
- Student to teacher ratio: 11:1
- Reading proficient: 85%
- Math proficient: 76%
- Graduation rate: 95%
- Expenditure per student: $26,401
- Average teacher salary: $97,402
New Jersey: Princeton Public Schools
- Location: Princeton, NJ
- Students: 3,809
- Student to teacher ratio: 11:1
- Reading proficient: 78%
- Math proficient: 65%
- Graduation rate: 96%
- Expenditure per student: $25,217
- Average teacher salary: $80,903
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New Mexico: Los Alamos Public Schools
- Location: Los Alamos, NM
- Students: 3,749
- Student to teacher ratio: 15:1
- Reading proficient: 57%
- Math proficient: 49%
- Graduation rate: 89%
- Expenditure per student: $12,679
- Average teacher salary: $53,559
New York: Jericho Union Free School District
- Location: Jericho, NY
- Students: 3,075
- Student to teacher ratio: 9:1
- Reading proficient: 88%
- Math proficient: 91%
- Graduation rate: 98%
- Expenditure per student: $36,392
- Average teacher salary: $131,477
North Carolina: Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
- Location: Chapel Hill, NC
- Students: 12,422
- Student to teacher ratio: 14:1
- Reading proficient: 67%
- Math proficient: 59%
- Graduation rate: 90%
- Expenditure per student: $13,086
- Average teacher salary: $45,683
North Dakota: Edmore School District No. 2
- Location: Edmore, ND
- Students: 50
- Student to teacher ratio: 4:1
- Reading proficient: 75%
- Math proficient: 65%
- Graduation rate: data unavailable
- Expenditure per student: $28,918
- Average teacher salary: $39,357
Ohio: Indian Hill Exempted Village School District
- Location: Cincinnati, OH
- Students: 2,037
- Student to teacher ratio: 13:1
- Reading proficient: 92%
- Math proficient: 92%
- Graduation rate: 95%
- Expenditure per student: $19,658
- Average teacher salary: $78,941
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Oklahoma: Jenks Public Schools
- Location: Jenks, OK
- Students: 12,465
- Student to teacher ratio: 17:1
- Reading proficient: 44%
- Math proficient: 42%
- Graduation rate: 89%
- Expenditure per student: $9,864
- Average teacher salary: $40,194
Oregon: Lake Oswego School District
- Location: Lake Oswego, OR
- Students: 7,066
- Student to teacher ratio: 20:1
- Reading proficient: 85%
- Math proficient: 75%
- Graduation rate: 93%
- Expenditure per student: $11,810
- Average teacher salary: $63,837
Pennsylvania: Radnor Township School District
- Location: Wayne, PA
- Students: 3,682
- Student to teacher ratio: 13:1
- Reading proficient: 89%
- Math proficient: 79%
- Graduation rate: 98%
- Expenditure per student: $23,994
- Average teacher salary: $95,865
Rhode Island: Barrington Public Schools
- Location: Barrington, RI
- Students: 3,343
- Student to teacher ratio: 14:1
- Reading proficient: 71%
- Math proficient: 63%
- Graduation rate: 97%
- Expenditure per student: $15,529
- Average teacher salary: $87,640
South Carolina: Fort Mill School District
- Location: Fort Mill, SC
- Students: 16,081
- Student to teacher ratio: 15:1
- Reading proficient: 68%
- Math proficient: 73%
- Graduation rate: 94%
- Expenditure per student: $15,825
- Average teacher salary: $53,305
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South Dakota: Brandon Valley School District
- Location: Brandon, SD
- Students: 4,284
- Student to teacher ratio: 18:1
- Reading proficient: 75%
- Math proficient: 68%
- Graduation rate: 96%
- Expenditure per student: $9,699
- Average teacher salary: $49,540
Tennessee: Collierville Schools
- Location: Collierville, TN
- Students: 9,096
- Student to teacher ratio: 16:1
- Reading proficient: 60%
- Math proficient: 60%
- Graduation rate: 95%
- Expenditure per student: $15,810
- Average teacher salary: $54,202
Texas: Eanes Independent School District
- Location: Austin, TX
- Students: 8,132
- Student to teacher ratio: 14:1
- Reading proficient: 80%
- Math proficient: 81%
- Graduation rate: 98%
- Expenditure per student: $24,109
- Average teacher salary: $51,587
Utah: Northern Utah Academy for Math Engineering & Science (Nuames)
- Location: Layton, UT
- Students: 875
- Student to teacher ratio: 22:1
- Reading proficient: 74%
- Math proficient: 72%
- Graduation rate: 95%
- Expenditure per student: $6,834
- Average teacher salary: $34,263
Vermont: South Burlington School District
- Location: South Burlington, VT
- Students: 2,759
- Student to teacher ratio: 13:1
- Reading proficient: 71%
- Math proficient: 59%
- Graduation rate: 91%
- Expenditure per student: $22,235
- Average teacher salary: $79,969
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Virginia: Falls Church City Public Schools
- Location: Falls Church, VA
- Students: 2,620
- Student to teacher ratio: 14:1
- Reading proficient: 92%
- Math proficient: 82%
- Graduation rate: 97%
- Expenditure per student: data unavailable
- Average teacher salary: $95,479
Washington: Mercer Island School District
- Location: Mercer Island, WA
- Students: 4,522
- Student to teacher ratio: 18:1
- Reading proficient: 87%
- Math proficient: 83%
- Graduation rate: 96%
- Expenditure per student: $15,721
- Average teacher salary: $73,066
West Virginia: Monongalia County Schools
- Location: Morgantown, WV
- Students: 11,679
- Student to teacher ratio: 15:1
- Reading proficient: 54%
- Math proficient: 50%
- Graduation rate: 90%
- Expenditure per student: $13,372
- Average teacher salary: $51,077
Wisconsin: Elmbrook School District
- Location: Brookfield, WI
- Students: 7,334
- Student to teacher ratio: 15:1
- Reading proficient: 63%
- Math proficient: 68%
- Graduation rate: 96%
- Expenditure per student: $14,092
- Average teacher salary: $80,756
Wyoming: Sheridan County School District No. 2
- Location: Sheridan, WY
- Students: 3,532
- Student to teacher ratio: 14:1
- Reading proficient: 75%
- Math proficient: 72%
- Graduation rate: 89%
- Expenditure per student: $15,520
- Average teacher salary: $69,785
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The best school district in every state
Between parental politics, after-school programs, and PTA meetings, navigating school districts can be hard—and choosing the district that is best for your child is even harder.
Stacker analyzed 2022 data from Niche to calculate the best school district in every state. Niche rankings rely on statistics from the U.S. Department of Education, SAT/ACT scores, college readiness, teacher quality, and graduation rates. Of course, ratings are one thing and experiences are another, which is why it's always smart to research and learn about the families, teachers, and students in a given district before deciding something as important as moving based on a particular school.
Various districts prioritize funding for different programs, and some have more of a knack for hiring and retaining nurturing teachers. For some districts, it seems to be a numbers game, without any thought regarding the learning environment. Still, other districts encourage kids to explore passions and make friends but are lagging academically. A top school district isn't just one or the other; it's a combination of factors parents must weigh when considering a new district.
Keep reading to see how your district stacks up, or to help narrow your search for where you plan to move and raise a family.
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Alabama: Madison City Schools
- Location: Madison, Alabama
- Total students: 11,804
- National rank: 57
Alaska: Skagway School District
- Location: Skagway, Alaska
- Total students: 144
- National rank: 481
Arizona: Catalina Foothills Unified School District
- Location: Tucson, Arizona
- Total students: 5,190
- National rank: 362
Arkansas: Haas Hall Academy
- Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas
- Total students: 1,407
- National rank: 137
California: Palo Alto Unified School District
- Location: Palo Alto, California
- Total students: 11,395
- National rank: 9
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Colorado: Cheyenne Mountain School District No. 12
- Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Total students: 5,270
- National rank: 290
Connecticut: Westport School District
- Location: Westport, Connecticut
- Total students: 5,329
- National rank: 17
Delaware: Appoquinimink School District
- Location: Odessa, Delaware
- Total students: 11,914
- National rank: 489
Florida: St. Johns County School District
- Location: St Augustine, Florida
- Total students: 44,550
- National rank: 848
Georgia: Buford City Schools
- Location: Buford, Georgia
- Total students: 5,468
- National rank: 87
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Hawaii: Monongalia County Schools
- Location: Morgantown, Hawaii
- Total students: 11,113
- National rank: Not ranked
Idaho: Troy School District
- Location: Troy, Idaho
- Total students: 270
- National rank: 740
Illinois: Adlai E. Stevenson High School District No. 125
- Location: Lincolnshire, Illinois
- Total students: 4,315
- National rank: 1
Indiana: West Lafayette Community School Corporation
- Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
- Total students: 2,316
- National rank: 8
Iowa: Pleasant Valley Community School District
- Location: Bettendorf, Iowa
- Total students: 5,331
- National rank: 121
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Kansas: Blue Valley Unified School District (Overland Park)
- Location: Overland Park, Kansas
- Total students: 22,148
- National rank: 69
Kentucky: Murray Independent Schools
- Location: Murray, Kentucky
- Total students: 1,783
- National rank: 263
Louisiana: Zachary Community Public Schools
- Location: Zachary, Louisiana
- Total students: 5,444
- National rank: 306
Maine: Yarmouth Schools
- Location: Yarmouth, Maine
- Total students: 1,670
- National rank: 172
Maryland: Howard County Public Schools
- Location: Ellicott City, Maryland
- Total students: 57,293
- National rank: 307
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Massachusetts: Weston Public Schools
- Location: Weston, Massachusetts
- Total students: 1,906
- National rank: 23
Michigan: Novi Community School District
- Location: Novi, Michigan
- Total students: 6,580
- National rank: 60
Minnesota: Wayzata Public School District
- Location: Wayzata, Minnesota
- Total students: 12,013
- National rank: 46
Mississippi: Petal School District
- Location: Petal, Mississippi
- Total students: 4,106
- National rank: 286
Missouri: School District of Clayton
- Location: Clayton, Missouri
- Total students: 2,514
- National rank: 13
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Montana: Monongalia County Schools
- Location: Morgantown, Montana
- Total students: 11,113
- National rank: Not ranked
Nebraska: Elkhorn Public Schools
- Location: Elkhorn, Nebraska
- Total students: 10,642
- National rank: 239
Nevada: Monongalia County Schools
- Location: Morgantown, Nevada
- Total students: 11,113
- National rank: Not ranked
New Hampshire: SAU 70
- Location: Hanover, New Hampshire
- Total students: 1,054
- National rank: 96
New Jersey: Millburn Township School District
- Location: Millburn, New Jersey
- Total students: 4,697
- National rank: 29
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New Mexico: Los Alamos Public Schools
- Location: Los Alamos, New Mexico
- Total students: 3,539
- National rank: 329
New York: Great Neck Public Schools
- Location: Great Neck, New York
- Total students: 6,831
- National rank: 3
North Carolina: Polk County Schools
- Location: Columbus, North Carolina
- Total students: 2,154
- National rank: 399
North Dakota: Edmore School District No. 2
- Location: Edmore, North Dakota
- Total students: 35
- National rank: 675
Ohio: Solon City School District
- Location: Solon, Ohio
- Total students: 4,521
- National rank: 49
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Oklahoma: Edmond Public Schools
- Location: Edmond, Oklahoma
- Total students: 23,496
- National rank: 285
Oregon: West Linn-Wilsonville School District
- Location: Tualatin, Oregon
- Total students: 9,302
- National rank: 348
Pennsylvania: Radnor Township School District
- Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
- Total students: 3,624
- National rank: 14
Rhode Island: Barrington Public Schools
- Location: Barrington, Rhode Island
- Total students: 3,388
- National rank: 227
South Carolina: Fort Mill School District
- Location: Fort Mill, South Carolina
- Total students: 16,883
- National rank: 235
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South Dakota: Brandon Valley School District
- Location: Brandon, South Dakota
- Total students: 4,721
- National rank: 639
Tennessee: Maryville City Schools
- Location: Maryville, Tennessee
- Total students: 5,441
- National rank: 383
Texas: Eanes Independent School District
- Location: Austin, Texas
- Total students: 7,968
- National rank: 10
Utah: Northern Utah Academy for Math Engineering & Science (Nuames)
- Location: Layton, Utah
- Total students: 1,135
- National rank: 173
Vermont: South Burlington School District
- Location: South Burlington, Vermont
- Total students: 2,688
- National rank: 638
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Virginia: Falls Church City Public Schools
- Location: Falls Church, Virginia
- Total students: 2,500
- National rank: 220
Washington: Mercer Island School District
- Location: Mercer Island, Washington
- Total students: 4,192
- National rank: 157
West Virginia: Monongalia County Schools
- Location: Morgantown, West Virginia
- Total students: 11,113
- National rank: Not ranked
Wisconsin: Elmbrook School District
- Location: Brookfield, Wisconsin
- Total students: 7,280
- National rank: 45
Wyoming: Sheridan County School District No. 2
- Location: Sheridan, Wyoming
- Total students: 3,519
- National rank: 893
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