How We Rate Schools
Built on public data from NCES and state education departments. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
120,556
Schools Rated
54
States + DC
17,893
School Districts
19,020
Cities & Towns
Top-performing cities right now
Ranked by latest-year average test proficiency across all public schools.
Virginia Beach, VA
#110 in Virginia · −0.1 vs state avg · 99 rated schools
Explore the full guideAlexandria
Avg 7.0/10 · 52 schools
#78 in Virginia · +0.3 vs state avg · 82 rated schools
Frisco
Avg 6.7/10 · 63 schools
#338 in Texas · +0.5 vs state avg · 72 rated schools
New York
Avg 6.6/10 · 302 schools
#165 in New York · +0.4 vs state avg · 464 rated schools
Des Moines
Avg 6.4/10 · 62 schools
#141 in Iowa · −0.6 vs state avg · 77 rated schools
Richmond
Avg 6.3/10 · 87 schools
#140 in Virginia · −0.6 vs state avg · 128 rated schools
Raleigh
Avg 6.2/10 · 98 schools
#62 in North Carolina · +0.4 vs state avg · 128 rated schools
Staten Island
Avg 6.2/10 · 75 schools
#146 in New York · +0.5 vs state avg · 108 rated schools
States at a glance
How the five largest states stack up against the national average.
From the blog
Explainers, data digs, and school-choice guides for parents.
Florida School Choice Guide: Public vs Private vs Charter — What the Data Shows
A comprehensive guide to school choice in Florida. Compare public, private, and charter schools using data on test scores, accountability, cost, and outcomes for the 2026-27 school year.
ReadFlorida School Vouchers 2026: How to Compare Your Options Before the April 30 Deadline
A practical guide for Florida parents navigating the school voucher and PEP scholarship program. Learn how to compare public, private, and charter schools using data before the April 30, 2026 application deadline.
ReadBest School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guide
The top 25 school districts in America ranked by data from 114,000+ schools, with housing costs and what makes each district stand out.
ReadBrowse by State
Every state has its own testing standards. Dive in to see how schools compare in your area.
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How Parents Use School Scout
Real scenarios where data makes the difference.
Moving to a new city?
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Choosing between districts?
See which schools outperform on the metrics that matter most to your family.
Is your school improving?
Track year-over-year growth in test scores and see how your school trends over time.
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