Top School Districts in Oregon, 2021

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It may come as a surprise to some that Oregon’s education system has a poor reputation, yet the state regularly posts low graduation rates and poor average reading and math proficiency scores. 

However, things are improving: the Oregon graduation rate hit 80% in 2019 for the first time in a decade. Of course, the state’s five best school districts manage graduation rates well above the state average, let’s take a look at these high-performing districts. 

Lake Oswego School District is the top school system in Oregon. The large district consists of six elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools with an enrollment of around 7,000. LOSD’s 93.1% graduation rate is well above the state average, and remarkable for a district its size. 

Earning Oregon’s #2 spot is Sherwood School District, comprising seven schools with an enrollment of 5,136 students in Washington County.  Over 70% of the district’s students meet or exceed expectations in mathematics and English language arts. 

Corvallis School District is the 3rd best school district in Oregon. The district is made up 13 schools and is one of the most ethnically diverse in the state, with students representing over 77 birth countries.

Placing 4th is McMinnville School District, which comprises six elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school with a total enrollment of around 6,800 and is the largest district in Yamhill County. Students of MSD graduation at a rate eight points higher than the state average. 

Ashland School District completes the ranking of the best school districts in Oregon. The district’s Ashland High School is regularly considered one of the best high schools in the state.

Top School Districts in Oregon, 2020

RankSchool DistrictCity
1Lake Oswego Sd 7JLake Oswego
2Sherwood Sd 88JSherwood
3Corvallis Sd 509JCorvallis
4Mcminnville Sd 40Mcminnville
5Ashland Sd 5Ashland
6Redmond Sd 2JRedmond
7Silver Falls Sd 4JSilverton
8Canby Sd 86Canby
9Newberg Sd 29JNewberg
10Forest Grove Sd 15Forest Grove
11Klamath County SdKlamath Falls
12Pinehurst Sd 94Ashland
13Riverdale Sd 51JPortland
14Hood River County SdHood River
15Neah-Kah-Nie Sd 56Rockaway Beach
16Scappoose Sd 1JScappoose
17Woodburn Sd 103Woodburn
18Central Point Sd 6Central Point
19Cascade Sd 5Turner
20Grants Pass Sd 7Grants Pass
21Centennial Sd 28JPortland
22Pendleton Sd 16Pendleton
23Bethel Sd 52Eugene
24Sisters Sd 6Sisters
25Philomath Sd 17JPhilomath
26Hermiston Sd 8Hermiston
27Central Sd 13JIndependence
28Banks Sd 13Banks
29Gladstone Sd 115Gladstone
30Lincoln County SdNewport
31Oakland Sd 1Oakland
32Dayton Sd 8Dayton
33Ontario Sd 8COntario
34Jefferson Sd 14JJefferson
35Lebanon Community Sd 9Lebanon
36Yamhill Carlton Sd 1Yamhill
37Molalla River Sd 35Molalla
38Parkrose Sd 3Portland
39La Grande Sd 1La Grande
40Adrian Sd 61Adrian
41Nestucca Valley Sd 101JCloverdale
42St Helens Sd 502St Helens
43Dufur Sd 29Dufur
44Three Rivers/Josephine County SdMurphy
45Dallas Sd 2Dallas
46Creswell Sd 40Creswell
47Siuslaw Sd 97JFlorence
48North Santiam Sd 29JStayton
49Pleasant Hill Sd 1Pleasant Hill
50South Lane Sd 45J3Cottage Grove
51Glide Sd 12Glide
52Crook County SdPrineville
53Condon Sd 25JCondon
54Junction City Sd 69Junction City
55Baker Sd 5JBaker City
56Colton Sd 53Colton
57Culver Sd 4Culver
58Eagle Point Sd 9Eagle Point
59Harrisburg Sd 7JHarrisburg
60Phoenix-Talent Sd 4Phoenix
61North Marion Sd 15Aurora
62Enterprise Sd 21Enterprise
63Lake County Sd 7Lakeview
64Tillamook Sd 9Tillamook
65St Paul Sd 45St Paul
66Klamath Falls City SchoolsKlamath Falls
67North Wasco County Sd 21The Dalles
68Gaston Sd 511JGaston
69Echo Sd 5Echo
70John Day Sd 3Canyon City
71Joseph Sd 6Joseph
72Vernonia Sd 47JVernonia
73Black Butte Sd 41Camp Sherman
74Milton-Freewater Unified Sd 7Milton-Freewater
75Perrydale Sd 21Amity
76Wallowa Sd 12Wallowa
77Brookings-Harbor Sd 17CBrookings
78Crow-Applegate-Lorane Sd 66Eugene
79Sweet Home Sd 55Sweet Home
80Athena-Weston Sd 29RjAthena
81Harney County Sd 3Burns
82Warrenton-Hammond Sd 30Warrenton
83Clatskanie Sd 6JClatskanie
84Union Sd 5Union
85North Douglas Sd 22Drain
86Nyssa Sd 26Nyssa
87Stanfield Sd 61Stanfield
88Morrow Sd 1Heppner
89Central Linn Sd 552Halsey
90Scio Sd 95Scio
91Jefferson County Sd 509JMadras
92Vale Sd 84Vale
93Knappa Sd 4Astoria
94Rainier Sd 13Rainier
95Bandon Sd 54Bandon
96Gervais Sd 1Gervais
97Pilot Rock Sd 2Pilot Rock
98Mt Angel Sd 91Mt Angel
99Seaside Sd 10Seaside
100Umatilla Sd 6RUmatilla

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.

Did your district make the list? Share the good news!

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Top School Districts in Pennsylvania, 2021

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While Pennsylvania may be in the middle of the pack among the 50 states in terms of public K-12 education, the state is home to dozens of excellent school districts. In fact, well over 100 districts in Pennsylvania posted graduation rates above 90% in 2019. Let’s take a closer look at the best of the best: Pennsylvania’s top five school districts. 

Tredyffrin/Easttown School District is the best public school system in Pennsylvania. Comprising eight schools with a total enrollment topping 6,000, T/E produced 48 National AP Scholars in 2019, while 99% of its high school graduates went on to attend college or university. 

Placing 2nd in the state of Pennsylvania is Radnor Township School District, a modestly-sized district of three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school serving Radnor Township, founded way back in 1682. RTSD has long been considered one of the best school districts in the country, and the statistics back it up: in 2019 Radnor High School produced a remarkable average ACT score of 28.

Mt. Lebanon School District earns Pennsylvania’s #3 spot. Consisting of ten schools with a total enrollment of 5,531, Mt. Lebanon schools have earned numerous accolades in recent years, including a Green Ribbon School honor and an ASBO Meritorious Budget Award. 

Pennsylvania’s 4th best school system is Haverford Township School District, comprising seven schools and serving over 6,500 students. The district has produced 21 National Merit Scholarship semi-finalists and earned a spot on the College Board’s AP Honor Roll. 

#5 Upper St. Clair School District is made up of three elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school in the affluent Philadelphia suburb of Upper St. Clair. The district upholds a long tradition of academic excellence, and 96% of its graduates go on to attend a 2 or 4-year post-secondary school. 

Top School Districts in Pennsylvania, 2020

RankSchool DistrictCity
1Tredyffrin-Easttown SdWayne
2Radnor Township SdWayne
3Mt Lebanon SdPittsburgh
4Haverford Township SdHavertown
5Upper Saint Clair SdPittsburgh
6Pennridge SdPerkasie
7Seneca Valley SdHarmony
8Upper Dublin SdMaple Glen
9Peters Township SdMcmurray
10Perkiomen Valley SdCollegeville
11State College Area SdState College
12Pine-Richland SdGibsonia
13Garnet Valley SdGlen Mills
14Rose Tree Media SdMedia
15Great Valley SdMalvern
16Wissahickon SdAmbler
17Fox Chapel Area SdPittsburgh
18Colonial SdPlymouth Meeting
19Owen J Roberts SdPottstown
20Boyertown Area SdBoyertown
21Bethel Park SdBethel Park
22South Fayette Township SdMcdonald
23Souderton Area SdSouderton
24Canon-Mcmillan SdCanonsburg
25Norwin SdNorth Huntingdon
26Methacton SdEagleville
27Unionville-Chadds Ford SdKennett Square
28Springfield SdSpringfield
29Montour SdMc Kees Rocks
30Hatboro-Horsham SdHorsham
31Hampton Township SdAllison Park
32Dallastown Area SdDallastown
33Millcreek Township SdErie
34Southern Lehigh SdCenter Valley
35Wallingford-Swarthmore SdWallingford
36Penn-Trafford SdHarrison City
37Marple Newtown SdNewtown Square
38Quakertown Community SdQuakertown
39Hempfield SdLandisville
40Avon Grove SdWest Grove
41Wilson SdWest Lawn
42Hempfield Area SdGreensburg
43Franklin Regional SdMurrysville
44Mars Area SdMars
45North Hills SdPittsburgh
46Upper Merion Area SdKing Of Prussia
47Manheim Township SdLancaster
48Nazareth Area SdNazareth
49Quaker Valley SdLeetsdale
50Moon Area SdMoon Township
51West Allegheny SdImperial
52Baldwin-Whitehall SdPittsburgh
53Plum Borough SdPlum
54Penn Manor SdMillersville
55Lower Moreland Township SdHuntingdon Valley
56Northampton Area SdNorthampton
57Crestwood SdMountain Top
58Derry Township SdHershey
59Greater Latrobe SdLatrobe
60Springfield Township SdOreland
61Lampeter-Strasburg SdLampeter
62East Stroudsburg Area SdEast Stroudsburg
63Cheltenham SdElkins Park
64Phoenixville Area SdPhoenixville
65Spring Grove Area SdSpring Grove
66Centennial SdWarminster
67West Jefferson Hills SdJefferson Hills
68Abington Heights SdClarks Summit
69Pleasant Valley SdBrodheadsville
70Lewisburg Area SdLewisburg
71Upper Moreland Township SdWillow Grove
72Kennett Consolidated SdKennett Square
73Chartiers Valley SdPittsburgh
74Red Lion Area SdRed Lion
75Conestoga Valley SdLancaster
76Gettysburg Area SdGettysburg
77Mechanicsburg Area SdMechanicsburg
78Fairview SdFairview
79Shaler Area SdGlenshaw
80Beaver Area SdBeaver
81Central York SdYork
82Cornwall-Lebanon SdLebanon
83Warwick SdLititz
84North Pocono SdMoscow
85Exeter Township SdReading
86Lower Dauphin SdHummelstown
87Hermitage SdHermitage
88Whitehall-Coplay SdWhitehall
89Upper Perkiomen SdPennsburg
90Gateway SdMonroeville
91Southern York County SdGlen Rock
92Harbor Creek SdHarborcreek
93Northwestern Lehigh SdNew Tripoli
94Twin Valley SdElverson
95Delaware Valley SdMilford
96Carlisle Area SdCarlisle
97Ephrata Area SdEphrata
98Stroudsburg Area SdStroudsburg
99Ridley SdFolsom
100Kiski Area SdVandergrift

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.

Did your district make the list? Share the good news!

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Top School Districts in Rhode Island, 2021

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Like other states in the New England region, Rhode Island has a long tradition of excellent public education. Although the state’s test scores don’t quite match those of Massachusetts, they are still better than those of most states. What’s more, performance in Rhode Island’s best school districts is on par with the best districts in the country. Here’s a rundown of the Ocean State’s top five school districts.

Barrington Public Schools is the best school system in the state of Rhode Island. A medium-sized district comprising four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school with a total enrollment of 3,350, BPS has a long list of accolades and achievements. Half of the district’s schools have been named Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, while five out of six were named Commended Schools by the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE).  

Placing 2nd in Rhode Island is East Greenwich School Department, which consists of six schools in the wealthy town of East Greenwich. The top-rated school district logged a 95% graduation rate in 2019.

Rhode Island’s 3rd best school district is South Kingstown School District,  which is headquartered in Wakefield and made up of seven schools with a total enrollment of around 2,900.  Every school in the district earned three or four stars on the 2018-2019 RIDE Report Card. 

We travel across the county for 4th-ranked North Kingstown School Department, which comprises five elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school in the town of North Kingston. North Kingston is a much-lauded school district that is only getting better, having been recently recognized by the RIDE for its substantial gains on the New England Common Assessment Program. 

Rounding out the list of Rhode Island’s five best school districts is the Cumberland School Department, made up of eight schools in the Providence County town of Cumberland. The district’s high school graduation rate is about five points higher than the state average. 

Top School Districts in Rhode Island, 2020

RankSchool DistrictCity
1BarringtonBarrington
2East GreenwichEast Greenwich
3South KingstownWakefield
4North KingstownNorth Kingstown
5CumberlandCumberland
6NarragansettNarragansett
7PortsmouthPortsmouth
8CoventryCoventry
9North SmithfieldNorth Smithfield
10LincolnLincoln
11JamestownJamestown
12WesterlyWesterly
13SmithfieldSmithfield
14ScituateNorth Scituate
15MiddletownMiddletown
16North ProvidenceNorth Providence
17East ProvidenceEast Providence
18West WarwickWest Warwick
19TivertonTiverton
20JohnstonJohnston
21BurrillvilleHarrisville
22NewportNewport
23WoonsocketWoonsocket
24Central FallsCentral Falls

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.

Did your district make the list? Share the good news!

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Top School Districts in South Carolina, 2021

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South Carolina typically falls into the bottom 20% of states in terms of public school assessment scores and graduation rates (although ACT scores did go up last year). While this is cause for concern, the situation isn’t all bad: there are plenty of public school districts in the state that meet or exceed national standards. Let’s look at South Carolina’s five best school districts. 

The best school district in South Carolina is Spartanburg County School District One, which is based in Campobello and consists of six elementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools, and a career center. The district’s graduation rate of 94% is over ten points higher than the statewide rate, and over 50% of district students are proficient in math.

Spartanburg School District Seven is South Carolina’s 2nd best school district. District 7 consists of eleven schools with an average total enrollment of around 7,400.  Despite the fact that the district has a poverty index of almost 70%, its schools are characterized by high academic performance, and its Spartanburg High School is the first school in the nation to win the National Blue Ribbon School award four times. 

Placing 3rd is Chesterfield County School District, another large system of sixteen schools and an enrollment nearing 7,200. The district regularly posts a graduation rate well above state and national averages. 

Earning the 4th spot is York School District 1, an AdvancED-accredited district consisting of ten schools serving 5,249 students in York County. District schools have claimed a number of recent achievements, with two winning Palmetto Silver Awards and one winning a Palmetto Gold Award for 2018-2019.

Completing the list of South Carolina’s five best school districts is Anderson School District 4, consisting of six schools in Pendleton and Townville. The district’s Pendleton High regularly earns a rating of “Excellent” on the annual State Report Card and consistently posts above-average graduation rates. 

Top School Districts in South Carolina, 2020

RankSchool DistrictCity
1Spartanburg 01Campobello
2Spartanburg 07Spartanburg
3Chesterfield 01Chesterfield
4York 01York
5Anderson 04Pendleton
6Newberry 01Newberry
7Abbeville 60Abbeville
8Anderson 02Honea Path
9Spartanburg 04Woodruff
10Colleton 01Walterboro
11Orangeburg 05Orangeburg
12Dillon 04Dillon
13Laurens 55Laurens
14Chester 01Chester
15Anderson 03Iva
16Lexington 03Batesburg-Leesville
17Edgefield 01Edgefield
18Clarendon 03Turbeville
19Fairfield 01Winnsboro
20Greenwood 52Ninety Six
21Laurens 56Clinton
22Spartanburg 03Glendale
23Calhoun 01St. Matthews
24Williamsburg 01Kingstree
25Marlboro 01Bennettsville
26Dillon 03Latta
27Dorchester 04St. George
28Barnwell 19Blackville
29Marion 10Marion
30Florence 03Lake City
31Orangeburg 04Cope
32Bamberg 01Bamberg
33Hampton 01Varnville
34Clarendon 02Manning
35Union 01Union
36Florence 05Johnsonville
37Barnwell 45Barnwell
38Florence 02Pamplico
39Orangeburg 03Holly Hill
40Greenwood 51Ware Shoals
41Hampton 02Estill
42Lee 01Bishopville
43Clarendon 01Summerton
44Saluda 01Saluda
45Allendale 01Allendale
46Jasper 01Ridgeland
47Lexington 04Swansea
48Mccormick 01Mccormick
49Barnwell 29Williston
50Florence 04Timmonsville

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.

Did your district make the list? Share the good news!

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Top School Districts in South Dakota, 2021

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Recent test scores presented cause for concern for South Dakota educators as results indicated that less-than-half of the state’s students are proficient in math and science. Nevertheless, there are public school districts where things are going right, and students perform at a level well above state standards. Here’s a closer look at the best school districts in South Dakota. 

The best school district in South Dakota is Brandon Valley School District, which consists of seven schools located across five cities near the state’s eastern border. Last year, BVSD logged a 94% graduation rate, which is a testament to the district’s quality. 

Yankton School District 63-3 is the 2nd best school district in South Dakota. Comprising four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school in Yankton County. Students in the district benefit from a progressive education with access to state-of-the-art technology, including a large number of computers (2.5 to 1 student-to-computer ratio) and SMART boards in all core elementary and middle school classes. 

Earning the 3rd spot is Harrisburg School District, consisting of nine schools in the Sioux Falls suburb of Harrisburg. The district’s students display a higher-than-state-average rate of proficiency in English language arts, mathematics, and science.  

Watertown School District places 4th among South Dakota school districts. Made up of five elementary schools, one intermediate school, one middle school, and one high school, WSD has a graduation rate of 86% and a 62% rate of proficiency in reading language arts. 

Filling out South Dakota’s top five is Mitchell School District, a high-performing district with an enrollment of around 2,800. Although a large percentage of MSD students experience economic hardship, the district regularly manages graduation rates above 95%. 

Top School Districts in South Dakota, 2020

RankSchool DistrictCity
1Brandon Valley School District 49-2Brandon
2Yankton School District 63-3Yankton
3Harrisburg School District 41-2Harrisburg
4Watertown School District 14-4Watertown
5Mitchell School District 17-2Mitchell
6Dell Rapids School District 49-3Dell Rapids
7Aberdeen School District 06-1Aberdeen
8Pierre School District 32-2Pierre
9Lennox School District 41-4Lennox
10Dakota Valley School District 61-8North Sioux City
11Groton Area School District 06-6Groton
12Webster Area 18-5Webster
13Douglas School District 51-1Box Elder
14Elk Point-Jefferson School District 61-7Elk Point
15Meade School District 46-1Sturgis
16Brookings School District 05-1Brookings
17Madison Central School District 39-2Madison
18Tri-Valley School District 49-6Colton
19Hill City School District 51-2Hill City
20Sioux Valley School District 05-5Volga
21Garretson School District 49-4Garretson
22Milbank School District 25-4Milbank
23Vermillion School District 13-1Vermillion
24Hamlin School District 28-3Hayti
25West Central School District 49-7Hartford
26Tea Area School District 41-5Tea
27Warner School District 06-5Warner
28Canton School District 41-1Canton
29Spearfish School District 40-2Spearfish
30Baltic School District 49-1Baltic
31Arlington School District 38-1Arlington
32Wall School District 51-5Wall
33Parkston School District 33-3Parkston
34Beresford School District 61-2Beresford
35Britton-Hecla School District 45-4Britton
36Ethan School District 17-1Ethan
37Gettysburg School District 53-1Gettysburg
38Mobridge-Pollock 62-6Mobridge
39Corsica-Stickney 21-3Corsica
40Castlewood School District 28-1Castlewood
41Ipswich Public School District 22-6Ipswich
42Platte - Geddes School District 11-5Platte
43Belle Fourche School District 09-1Belle Fourche
44Irene - Wakonda School District 13-3Irene
45Lyman School District 42-1Presho
46Hanson School District 30-1Alexandria
47Frederick Area School District 06-2Frederick
48Custer School District 16-1Custer
49Faulkton Area Schools 24-4Faulkton
50Deubrook Area School District 05-6White
51Huron School District 02-2Huron
52Parker School District 60-4Parker
53Howard School District 48-3Howard
54Freeman School District 33-1Freeman
55Deuel School District 19-4Clear Lake
56Avon School District 04-1Avon
57Harding County School District 31-1Buffalo
58Kimball School District 07-2Kimball
59Lemmon School District 52-4Lemmon
60Mccook Central School District 43-7Salem
61Hot Springs School District 23-2Hot Springs
62Haakon School District 27-1Philip
63Bon Homme School District 04-2Tyndall
64De Smet School District 38-2De Smet
65Bridgewater-Emery 30-3Bridgewater
66Stanley County School District 57-1Fort Pierre
67Gregory School District 26-4Gregory
68Selby Area School District 62-5Selby
69Wolsey Wessington School District 02-6Wolsey
70Agar-Blunt-Onida School District 58-3Onida
71Winner School District 59-2Winner
72Miller 29-4Miller
73Chamberlain School District 07-1Chamberlain
74Colman-Egan School District 50-5Colman
75Doland School District 56-2Doland
76Kadoka Area School District 35-2Kadoka
77Flandreau School District 50-3Flandreau
78Viborg-Hurley School District 60-6Viborg
79Wagner Community School District 11-4Wagner
80Redfield School District 56-4Redfield
81Highmore-Harrold 34-2Highmore
82Bennett County School District 03-1Martin
83Scotland School District 04-3Scotland
84Plankinton School District 01-1Plankinton
85Clark School District 12-2Clark
86Colome Consolidated 59-3Colome
87Oglala Lakota County 65-1Batesland
88South Central 26-5Bonesteel
89Waverly School District 14-5Waverly
90Wilmot School District 54-7Wilmot
91Summit School District 54-6Summit
92Iroquois School District 02-3Iroquois
93Gayville-Volin School District 63-1Gayville
94Sisseton School District 54-2Sisseton
95Newell School District 09-2Newell
96White River School District 47-1White River

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.

Did your district make the list? Share the good news!

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Top School Districts in Tennessee, 2021

In good news for Tennessee educators, 2019 TNReady assessment test results showed that a majority of students in the state are improving in all mathematics subjects.  The Volunteer State still has a long way to go in order to be mentioned along with the states with the top public education systems, but a handful of Tennessee school districts are already performing at a high level that places them among the best, nationwide. Let’s take a look at Tennessee’s five best school systems. 

Germantown Municipal School District is the best public school system in Tennessee. Comprising three elementary schools, one K-8 school, one middle school, and one high school in the affluent Memphis suburb of Germantown, GSD was established in just 2014 but has already positioned itself as the premier school district in the state, offering students access to high-end technology and facilities, a rigorous academic curriculum, and over 60 clubs and extracurricular activities.  

Placing 2nd in Tennessee is Maryville City Schools, a district consisting of seven schools in the Knoxville metropolitan area city of Maryville.  MCS schools do a great job of preparing students for the future, as 85% of graduates go on to seek post-secondary education. 

The 3rd best school district in Tennessee is Arlington Community Schools, made up of two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school in the fast-growing town of Arlington. In recent years, ACS was one of just 12 districts in the state to be named an “Exemplary School District” by the Tennessee Department of Education. 

Kingsport City Schools earns the 4th spot in Tennessee. The large district consists of eleven schools in the city of Kingsport and its graduation rate of 95.9% is over six points higher than the Tennessee state average. 

Rounding out Tennessee’s top five is the Lawrence County School System, comprising twelve schools across several Lawrence County communities. The district’s Summertown Elementary was recently named a reward school by the U.S. Department of Education. 

Top School Districts in Tennessee, 2020

RankDistrictCity
1GermantownGermantown
2MaryvilleMaryville
3ArlingtonArlington
4KingsportKingsport
5Lawrence CountyLawrenceburg
6Roane CountyKingston
7Cumberland CountyCrossville
8Jefferson CountyDandridge
9Gibson Co Sp DistDyer
10Dyer CountyDyersburg
11Greene CountyGreeneville
12Loudon CountyLoudon
13Hawkins CountyRogersville
14Henderson CountyLexington
15Anderson CountyClinton
16Marshall CountyLewisburg
17GreenevilleGreeneville
18BristolBristol
19Mcminn CountyAthens
20Cheatham CountyAshland City
21ElizabethtonElizabethton
22Warren CountyMcminnville
23Franklin SsdFranklin
24Lincoln CountyFayetteville
25ClevelandCleveland
26Campbell CountyJacksboro
27Oak RidgeOak Ridge
28Franklin CountyWinchester
29AlcoaAlcoa
30Weakley CountyDresden
31White CountySparta
32Smith CountyCarthage
33Lauderdale CountyRipley
34DyersburgDyersburg
35Stewart CountyDover
36MilanMilan
37Monroe CountyMadisonville
38Coffee CountyManchester
39Mcnairy CountySelmer
40Chester CountyHenderson
41Rhea CountyDayton
42Claiborne CountyTazewell
43Macon CountyLafayette
44Cocke CountyNewport
45Grainger CountyRutledge
46Crockett CountyAlamo
47Dekalb CountySmithville
48Carter CountyElizabethton
49Fentress CountyJamestown
50Benton CountyCamden
51Giles CountyPulaski
52LebanonLebanon
53Hickman CountyCenterville
54Johnson CountyMountain City
55Trousdale CountyHartsville
56Hardin CountySavannah
57Decatur CountyDecaturville
58TrentonTrenton
59Overton CountyLivingston
60MckenzieMckenzie
61TullahomaTullahoma
62Henry CountyParis
63Humphreys CountyWaverly
64Marion CountyJasper
65Lenoir CityLenoir City
66Meigs CountyDecatur
67Obion CountyUnion City
68Houston CountyErin
69BradfordBradford
70Union CountyMaynardville
71OneidaOneida
72Morgan CountyWartburg
73Polk CountyBenton
74Wayne CountyWaynesboro
75Clay CountyCelina
76Perry CountyLinden
77FayettevilleFayetteville
78Huntingdon Special School DistrictHuntingdon
79West Carroll Sp DistTrezevant
80Scott CountyHuntsville
81Lewis CountyHohenwald
82Millington Municipal SchoolsMillington
83Hardeman County SchoolsBolivar
84Sequatchie CountyDunlap
85Unicoi CountyErwin
86Fayette County Public SchoolsSomerville
87Moore CountyLynchburg
88Cannon CountyWoodbury
89Union CityUnion City
90Grundy CountyAltamont
91Haywood CountyBrownsville
92Bledsoe CountyPikeville
93Jackson CountyGainesboro
94Pickett CountyByrdstown
95Van Buren CountySpencer
96Hollow Rock - BrucetonBruceton
97South CarrollClarksburg
98Lake CountyTiptonville
99Humboldt City SchoolsHumboldt
100Hancock CountySneedville

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.

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Top School Districts in Texas, 2021

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Although Texas is somewhere in the middle of the pack among U.S. states in terms of high school graduation rates and math and ELA proficiency scores, the state’s size means that there are well over one hundred high-performing public school districts where the graduation rate is above 90%. Here’s a look at the best of the best in the Lone Star State. 

Texas’ best public school system is Highland Park Independent School District, a large district comprising four elementary schools, one intermediate school, one middle school, and one high school with a total enrollment of nearly 7,000. HPISD is one of the most prestigious school districts in the state, regularly logging average ACT and SAT scores well above state and national averages, and over 97% of its graduates go on to attend college.  

Friendswood Independent School District earns Texas’ #2 spot. The district serves the rapidly-growing city of Friendswood and has a long list of accolades to its name, including a 98% graduation rate and a MET STANDARD rating from the Texas Education Association, the highest possible rating. 

Placing 3rd is Barbers Hill Independent School District, which consists of seven campuses spread across four communities in West Chambers County. Every campus in the district has received an “A” rating from the state, which is the highest possible. 

Lovejoy Independent School District earns the #4 spot in Texas. The district’s Lovejoy High School ranks in the top #1 of all high schools in the state in terms of academic performance, and excels in athletics, as well, laying claim to numerous state championships in volleyball, cross country, swimming, and more.  

Filling out the list is of Texas’ best school systems is South Texas Independent School District, a magnet school district based in Mercedes and operating six schools. The district’s students demonstrate remarkably high levels of proficiency across all subjects and grade levels. 

Top School Districts in Texas, 2020

RankDistrictCity
1Highland Park IsdDallas
2Friendswood IsdFriendswood
3Barbers Hill IsdMont Belvieu
4Lovejoy IsdAllen
5South Texas IsdMercedes
6Aledo IsdAledo
7Dripping Springs IsdDripping Springs
8La Porte IsdLa Porte
9Alamo Heights IsdSan Antonio
10Waller IsdWaller
11Lubbock-Cooper IsdLubbock
12Wylie IsdAbilene
13Hutto IsdHutto
14Little Elm IsdLittle Elm
15Lancaster IsdLancaster
16Franklin IsdFranklin
17Angleton IsdAngleton
18Medina Valley IsdCastroville
19Azle IsdAzle
20Royse City IsdRoyse City
21Argyle IsdArgyle
22Lindale IsdLindale
23Granbury IsdGranbury
24Valley View IsdPharr
25Hallsville IsdHallsville
26Roma IsdRoma
27Canutillo IsdCanutillo
28Melissa IsdMelissa
29Willis IsdWillis
30La Vernia IsdLa Vernia
31Andrews IsdAndrews
32Seguin IsdSeguin
33Red Oak IsdRed Oak
34Galveston IsdGalveston
35Seminole IsdSeminole
36Joshua IsdJoshua
37Port Neches-Groves IsdPort Neches
38White Settlement IsdWhite Settlement
39Randolph Field IsdUniversal City
40Flour Bluff IsdCorpus Christi
41Calallen IsdCorpus Christi
42Sunnyvale IsdSunnyvale
43Ennis IsdEnnis
44Whitehouse IsdWhitehouse
45Kerrville IsdKerrville
46Mabank IsdMabank
47Texarkana IsdTexarkana
48Liberty Hill IsdLiberty Hill
49Van IsdVan
50Lake Dallas IsdLake Dallas
51Santa Gertrudis IsdKingsville
52Needville IsdNeedville
53Princeton IsdPrinceton
54Nederland IsdNederland
55Crosby IsdCrosby
56Decatur IsdDecatur
57Lago Vista IsdLago Vista
58Gregory-Portland IsdPortland
59Panhandle IsdPanhandle
60Stephenville IsdStephenville
61Calhoun County IsdPort Lavaca
62Edcouch-Elsa IsdEdcouch
63Celina IsdCelina
64Aubrey IsdAubrey
65China Spring IsdChina Spring
66Llano IsdLlano
67Corsicana IsdCorsicana
68Navarro IsdSeguin
69Cleburne IsdCleburne
70Sherman IsdSherman
71Mount Pleasant IsdMount Pleasant
72Tuloso-Midway IsdCorpus Christi
73Lumberton IsdLumberton
74Lorena IsdLorena
75Wimberley IsdWimberley
76Hudson IsdLufkin
77Huffman IsdHuffman
78Pleasant Grove IsdTexarkana
79Floresville IsdFloresville
80Dayton IsdDayton
81Denver City IsdDenver City
82Brock IsdBrock
83Crandall IsdCrandall
84Canton IsdCanton
85Dumas IsdDumas
86Lampasas IsdLampasas
87Glen Rose IsdGlen Rose
88Fredericksburg IsdFredericksburg
89Caddo Mills IsdCaddo Mills
90Denison IsdDenison
91Ft Sam Houston IsdSan Antonio
92Van Alstyne IsdVan Alstyne
93Shiner IsdShiner
94Carthage IsdCarthage
95Tatum IsdTatum
96Malakoff IsdMalakoff
97Everman IsdFort Worth
98Jacksboro IsdJacksboro
99Henderson IsdHenderson
100Bushland IsdBushland

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.

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Top School Districts in Vermont, 2021

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Like other states in New England, Vermont has a long-running tradition of excellence in education. The state is home to a number of excellent universities and superb public school districts, so it's no surprise that on standardized tests Vermont students score above the national averages in nearly every subject and grade level. In a state with such a high standard of public education, a handful of public school districts truly distinguish themselves enough to be considered the best in the state 

The best school district in Vermont is Rutland City Public Schools, which comprises five schools, a technical center, and a special education campus in the city of Rutland, the 3rd largest in the state. Students of Rutland Senior High School are well ahead of the curve, which is reflected in the school’s 53% Advanced Placement participation rate. 

Earning the 2nd spot is South Burlington School District, consisting of three elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school in the city of South Burlington. The district has a great reputation for both its high academic performance and vital athletics and co-curricular programs. What’s more, SBSD students regularly best state and national averages in the SAT’s and other tests. 

Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District is the 3rd best school system in the state. Made up of nine total campuses, MMUUSD boasts a graduation rate of 94% that is higher than Vermont’s already-high statewide average. 

Placing 4th is Colchester School District, comprising two K-2 schools, one PreK-5 school, a middle school, and a high school with a total enrollment of around 2,100. Students of the district excel in academics and standardized testing, earning a mean composite ACT score of 23.6, which is nearly three points higher than the national average. 

Filling out Vermont’s top five public school systems is Hartford School District, which is headquartered in White River Junction and consists of five schools with a total enrollment of nearly 1800. The district does an excellent job of preparing students for post-secondary education, and many graduates go on to attend some of the most prestigious schools in the region. 

Top School Districts in Vermont, 2020

RankDistrict
1Rutland City School District
2South Burlington School District
3Mount Mansfield Modified USD #401B
4Colchester School District
5Hartford School District
6Essex Community Education Center
7Champlain Valley UHSD #15
8Milton Incorporated School District
9Burlington School District
10Bellows Free Academy UHSD #48
11Harwood UHSD #19
12Fairfax School District
13Middlebury UHSD #3
14Montpelier School District
15Brattleboro UHSD #6
16Woodstock UHSD #4
17Vergennes UHSD #5
18Mount Anthony UHSD #14
19Mount Abraham UHSD #28
20Stowe School District

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.

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