New Hampshire is one of the 13 colonies that signed the Declaration of Independence and helped bring the United States into existence. Despite its small size and population, New Hampshire has delivered larger than life comedic personalities including Adam Sandler, Seth Meyers, and Sarah Silverman.

Dresden School District is an historic district in an historic state. This district is the nation’s first interstate district, serving both students in Hanover, NH as well as those in Norwich, VT. Students in this district can immerse themselves in America’s rich history through a partnership with The Norwich Historical Society.

Second on the list is Sunapee School District located in the town of Sunapee and surrounding area. This district is proud to claim a 95% graduation rate, well above the state average. Students also outperform both state and national averages when it comes to SAT scores.

Portsmouth School District in Rockingham County takes 3rd on the list. With an emphasis on academic excellence, this district has been able to achieve manageable class sizes averaging just 18.8 students with an impressive 11 to 1 student to teacher ratio. The recent graduating class saw a 97% graduation rate with over 80% of graduates attending college.

In 4th place is Oyster River Cooperative School District, serving the communities of Durham, Lee, and Madbury. This district exceeds state and national SAT score averages in all categories and maintains reasonably small class sizes for students to engage with teachers more effectively.

Finally, rounding out the list is Bedford School District. Located in Hillsborough County, Bedford School District emphasizes technology, with 1-to-1 iPad distribution amongst students. All students and teachers are provided with iPads to better enable learning, development, and collaboration.

Top School Districts in New Hampshire, 2019

Methodology

The following contributed to the ranking: number of students (K-12), graduation rate, teacher quality, school funding, student to teacher ratio, standardized test results (reading and math; the percentage of students scoring at or above state proficiency level). Data from a total of 10,728 school districts had sufficient values for the variables above.

New Jersey has courted controversy in the five years since the implementation of a new computerized statewide assessment test that is more difficult than the preceding test and has resulted in lower scores across the board. Despite the PARCC exam issue, many districts in the state have continued to flourish through high academic performance and vigorous athletic programs. Let’s take a look at the five best school districts in the Garden State. 

The best school district in New Jersey is Ridgewood Public Schools, made up of ten schools in the affluent village of Ridgewood. Students in the district graduate at a rate of 97% and RCS produced 10 National Merit Semifinalists in 2019.  

Livingston Public Schools is the 2nd best public school system in the state of New Jersey. The district consists of nine schools in the township of Livingston. LPS students demonstrate a high level of proficiency in math and RLA, and the district has produced its share of National Merit Semifinalists.

Earning the 3rd spot is Millburn Township Public Schools, a nationally-renowned district of eight schools serving around 5,000 students. A remarkable 99% of graduating Millburn High School seniors enroll in four-year colleges. 

Westfield Public Schools is the 4th best school district in the state of New Jersey. The district consists of 10 schools serving an enrollment of 6,214. Students of the district not only excel in academics but are highly active outside of the classroom: 80% of Westfield High School students participate in co-curricular activities. 

New Jersey’s 5th best school system is Bernards Township School District, which encompasses four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.  Over half of the district’s graduating seniors go on to attend “highly competitive” colleges.

Top School Districts in New Jersey, 2020

Methodology

The following variables contributed to the ranking: number of students (K-12), graduation rate, school funding per student, student to teacher ratio, percent of students scoring above proficient in standardized state Math test, percent of students scoring above proficient in standardized state Reading and Language test. Data from a total of 10,247 public school districts were used to compute a score for each school district. The following states were omitted due to lack of sufficient data: Hawaii, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Utah, and Virginia. Note that high schools in some states have their own independent districts. And as always, if you find yourself not in one of these districts, you can always resort to online learning.

New Mexico is a popular tourist destination for those seeking the truth about extraterrestrial life. It’s also home to several out-of-this-world school districts that are teaching students to reach for the stars and achieve their dreams.

At the top of the list is Albuquerque Public Schools in New Mexico’s largest city. This large school district performs above the state average in standardized testing at all grade levels. This district is also home to both the girl’s and boy’s state basketball championship teams.

Los Alamos Public Schools in Los Alamos County rank next on the list. This district reports math, science, and reading proficiency levels that well outpace the state average. Graduation rates are also above 90% in Los Alamos Public Schools.

In 3rd rank is Cloudcroft Municipal Schools in Otero County. This expansive district covers a wide area full of natural beauty and is home to the Bears athletics programs.

4th place goes to Dora Municipal Schools in Roosevelt County. Dora schools have regularly earned “A” ratings from the department of education and Dora Elementary is a National Blue Ribbon School.

Rounding out the top 5 rankings is Las Cruces Public Schools. This unique district has seen students perform at Carnegie Hall, a prestigious appearance to be sure.

Top School Districts in New Mexico, 2019

Methodology

The following contributed to the ranking: number of students (K-12), graduation rate, teacher quality, school funding, student to teacher ratio, standardized test results (reading and math; the percentage of students scoring at or above state proficiency level). Data from a total of 10,728 school districts had sufficient values for the variables above.

Overall, public education in New York state is about average: the state’s 2019 high school graduation rate is slightly below the national rate. Nevertheless, there are quite a few school districts in the state that perform remarkably well, academically, and stack up against the best in the nation. Let’s take a closer look at New York’s five best school districts. 

Mamaroneck Union Free School District is the best school district in New York state. The district comprises four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school serving around 5,300 students from the village of Mamaroneck and two other Westchester County communities. MSD elementary students are remarkably proficient in reading, with 77% of the district reading at or above the benchmark. 

Pittsford Central School District earns New York’s #2 spot. The district consists of nine school buildings serving an enrollment of about 5,700 students hailing from several Monroe County municipalities. Schools in the district have received numerous accolades, including 2018-2019 NYSED Recognition School honors for Pittsford Mendon High School and Pittsford Sutherland High School. 

The 3rd best school district in New York is Valley Stream Central High School District, one of just three state public school districts to exclusively cover grades 7-12. Valley Stream has excellent schools, and the numbers back it up: the district has a 95% graduation rate and its students are 80% proficient in math.

Monroe-Woodbury Central School District places 4th in the ranking of New York School Districts. N-W consists of seven school buildings serving around 6,700 students and has earned state accolades for its academic and athletic achievements.

Rye City School District closes out the ranking of the best New York school districts. The district’s accredited high school is one of the best in the state, offering a full range of AP courses and many extracurricular programs. It’s no surprise that 95% of graduates go on to attend university or college. 

Top School Districts in New York, 2020

Methodology

The following variables contributed to the ranking: number of students (K-12), graduation rate, school funding per student, student to teacher ratio, percent of students scoring above proficient in standardized state Math test, percent of students scoring above proficient in standardized state Reading and Language test. Data from a total of 10,247 public school districts were used to compute a score for each school district. The following states were omitted due to lack of sufficient data: Hawaii, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Utah, and Virginia. Note that high schools in some states have their own independent districts.

Educators in North Carolina recently received the disappointing news that the Read To Achieve program, which was launched in 2012 aimed at getting more young children to read, had not yielded positive results. In fact, proficiency scores were worse in 2019 than in 2011 before the program had begun. 

However, despite the overall decline in test scores, there are a number of high-performing school districts in North Carolina that have steadily improved in this time period. Let’s take a look at the five best school districts in North Carolina.

Mooresville Graded School District is the best school district in North Carolina. The district encompasses three elementary schools, two intermediate schools, one middle school, and one high school with a total enrollment of 6,100. MGSD is one of the best districts in the state for academics, ranking in the top ten in ten North Carolina School Report Card subject areas, and its athletics program is first-class, as well. 

Earning the #2 spot in North Carolina is Orange County Schools, a district headquartered in Hillsborough and consisting of 13 schools. The ethnically-diverse school district boasts a graduation rate well above the state and national averages. 

3rd place belongs to Haywood County Schools, a large accredited district of fifteen schools serving 7,124 students. HCS has many achievements to its name, including a high average ACT score and National Blue Ribbon School honors for Haywood Early College High School. 

The 4th best school district in North Carolina is Dare County Schools, comprising 11 schools with a total enrollment near 5,000. With all schools meeting or exceeding growth each year and the district managing a 95% graduation rate, DCS outperforms state standards in every metric.  

Rounding out North Carolina’s top five school districts is Watauga County Schools, which is headquartered in Boone and consists of nine schools. WCS is a state leader in innovation, with its high school being the first in the state to offer a 1:1 laptop program to its students. 

Top School Districts in North Carolina, 2020

Methodology

The following variables contributed to the ranking: number of students (K-12), graduation rate, school funding per student, student to teacher ratio, percent of students scoring above proficient in standardized state Math test, percent of students scoring above proficient in standardized state Reading and Language test. Data from a total of 10,247 public school districts were used to compute a score for each school district. The following states were omitted due to lack of sufficient data: Hawaii, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Utah, and Virginia. Note that high schools in some states have their own independent districts.

In the area of public education, North Dakota fares well compared to other states, earning the 4th highest ACT scores in the U.S. in 2018. While overall the state’s schools are doing well, a handful of school districts truly distinguish themselves through high academic performance and great extracurricular programs. Here’s a closer look at the five best school districts in North Dakota. 

The best school district in North Dakota is Minot Public Schools, a large district of twelve elementary schools, three middle schools and a three-campus high school. MPS has a graduation rate above state and national averages. 

Grand Forks Public Schools is the 2nd best school district in North Dakota. The large district consists of the Grand Forks and Grand Forks Air Force Base school districts working in unison. Together, they employ 1,600 total people and serve 7,600 students across 18 schools. Despite its large size, the district sets a high standard for teachers, with 65% having a master’s degree or above. 

Placing 3rd in the ranking is Dickinson Public Schools, consisting of six elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools. Students in the district demonstrate above-average proficiency rates in ELA and math and graduate at a rate of 92.9%.

Lewis and Clark Public School District earns the 4th spot on the list. The small district is headquartered in the city of Plaza and comprises two schools serving a total enrollment of around 400 students.  LCSD students benefit from a favorable student-teacher ratio and an above-average number of students are proficient in math and reading. 

Completing the list is Kindred Public School District #2, another small district of one high school and one elementary school. In 2017, Kindred Elementary School won a National Blue Ribbon School Award. 

Top School Districts in North Dakota, 2020

Methodology

The following variables contributed to the ranking: number of students (K-12), graduation rate, school funding per student, student to teacher ratio, percent of students scoring above proficient in standardized state Math test, percent of students scoring above proficient in standardized state Reading and Language test. Data from a total of 10,247 public school districts were used to compute a score for each school district. The following states were omitted due to lack of sufficient data: Hawaii, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Utah, and Virginia. Note that high schools in some states have their own independent districts.

Many believe Ohio’s education system is stagnant: the state has earned a “C” grade in the annual Quality Counts report card for a number of consecutive years. However, despite the state’s mediocre overall grade, over 100 Ohio school districts logged graduation rates of over 90% in the most recent year, and those at the top are some of the best in the nation. Here’s more information about the five best school districts in Ohio.

Jackson Local School District is the best public school system in Ohio. The district serves an enrollment of 5,800 and has earned a rating of “Excellent” from the Ohio Department of Education for 16 straight years. What’s more, two of its schools have been recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools. 

#2 New Albany-Plain Local Schools is nearly as accomplished: the 5,000 student-strong district is one of just 31 Ohio school districts to earn an “A” grade from the Department of Education and over 60% of its students earned a score of 3 or higher on the AP Exam. 

The 3rd best school district in Ohio is Milford Exempted Village School District, which consists of one preschool, six elementary schools, one junior high, and one high school. Two of the district’s schools have received Nation Blue Ribbon honors, and its high school’s college readiness ranking is regularly the highest in Clermont County. 

Earning the 4th spot in Ohio is Brecksville Broadview Heights City School District, comprising five schools serving the city of Brecksville and parts of surrounding communities. The district has earned many academic accolades and is home to the Bee Gymnastics team which has taken home sixteen straight state championships. 

Filling out the top five is Forest Hills School District, which has nine schools serving an enrollment of 7,400 students. Forest Hills students are well-rounded and highly active: 80% of middle and high school students are involved in extracurricular activities or athletics. 

Top School Districts in Ohio, 2020

Methodology

The following variables contributed to the ranking: number of students (K-12), graduation rate, school funding per student, student to teacher ratio, percent of students scoring above proficient in standardized state Math test, percent of students scoring above proficient in standardized state Reading and Language test. Data from a total of 10,247 public school districts were used to compute a score for each school district. The following states were omitted due to lack of sufficient data: Hawaii, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Utah, and Virginia. Note that high schools in some states have their own independent districts.

The five best school districts in Oklahoma have two things in common: they are all located in the northeastern portion of the state (with most serving Oklahoma City or Tulsa suburbs), and they all have enrollments of over 4,000 students. Let’s take a look at these five high-performing school systems. 

Deer Creek School District is the best school system in Oklahoma. Comprising nine school buildings serving an enrollment of over 6900, DCSD boasts a graduation rate of 96%, which is over 13 points higher than the state average. 

Placing 2nd is Public Bixby Schools, which consists of nine schools in the Bixby area. The district’s high school is one of the best in the state, earning a 92% graduation rate in 2019 as well as the 2nd highest average composite ACT score in the region. 

Oklahoma’s 3rd best school district is Stillwater Public Schools, made up of six elementary schools and four secondary schools in the city of Stillwater. Eight of the district’s nine schools earned a “B” or “A” on the 2018-2019 Oklahoma School Report Cards. 

Piedmont Public Schools earns the 4th spot in the ranking. The district serves the 2nd fastest growing community in the state, and district enrollment has increased 33% since 2014. Nevertheless, expansion has not affected the district’s quality, and it and it remains one of the best rated in the state.

Rounding out the list is Bartlesville Public Schools, consisting of six elementary schools, two middle schools, and a high school with an enrollment of around 6,000. Of the top five Oklahoma school districts, BPS has the lowest best student-teacher ratio, with 16.9. 

Top School Districts in Oklahoma, 2020

Methodology

The following variables contributed to the ranking: number of students (K-12), graduation rate, school funding per student, student to teacher ratio, percent of students scoring above proficient in standardized state Math test, percent of students scoring above proficient in standardized state Reading and Language test. Data from a total of 10,247 public school districts were used to compute a score for each school district. The following states were omitted due to lack of sufficient data: Hawaii, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Utah, and Virginia. Note that high schools in some states have their own independent districts.