By Stephen Niedzwiecki, Stacker News
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
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.
...
Read More on U.S.
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.
You may also like: Highest-paying jobs that require a bachelor's degree
...
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
...
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
You may also like: 50 Best Value Public Colleges in America
...
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
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
You may also like: These Are the Best Places to Raise a Family in the U.S.
...
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
...
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
You may also like:
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
You may also like: Here's How Much Parental Leave You Get in Every U.S. State
...
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
...
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
You may also like: These Are the Most Popular Baby Names in Every State
...
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
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines