Connecticut is the #35 largest school system in the United States, serving 490,241 students across the 1,008 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 419 private schools, serving 64,552 students). 88% of all K-12 students in Connecticut attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Connecticut is 42%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 51%.
The top-ranked public schools in Connecticut are Riverside School, West School, and South School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 55%, with the majority being Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 12:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Connecticut (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Riverside School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 93% (Top 1%)
Reading: 91% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
90 Hendrie Ave.
Riverside, CT 06878
(203) 637-1440
Riverside, CT 06878
(203) 637-1440
Rank: #22.
West School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-4
769 Ponus Ridge
New Canaan, CT 06840
(203) 594-4410
New Canaan, CT 06840
(203) 594-4410
Rank: #33.
South School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 93% (Top 1%)
Reading: 87% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-4
8 Farm Rd.
New Canaan, CT 06840
(203) 594-4313
New Canaan, CT 06840
(203) 594-4313
Rank: #44.
Sherman School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
250 Fern St.
Fairfield, CT 06824
(203) 255-8330
Fairfield, CT 06824
(203) 255-8330
Rank: #5 - 75. - 7.
Dwight Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
1600 Redding Rd.
Fairfield, CT 06824
(203) 255-8312
Fairfield, CT 06824
(203) 255-8312
Rank: #5 - 75. - 7.
Farmingville Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
324 Farmingville Rd.
Ridgefield, CT 06877
(203) 894-5570
Ridgefield, CT 06877
(203) 894-5570
Rank: #5 - 75. - 7.
House Of Arts Letters And Science (Hals) Academy
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-8
40 Goodwin St
New Britain, CT 06051
(860) 826-1866
New Britain, CT 06051
(860) 826-1866
Rank: #88.
North Mianus School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 88% (Top 1%)
Reading: 86% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-5
309 Palmer Hill Rd.
Riverside, CT 06878
(203) 637-9730
Riverside, CT 06878
(203) 637-9730
Rank: #9 - 129. - 12.
Bugbee School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80-84% (Top 5%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
1943 Asylum Ave.
West Hartford, CT 06117
(860) 929-5500
West Hartford, CT 06117
(860) 929-5500
Rank: #9 - 129. - 12.
International School At Dundee
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80-84% (Top 5%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
55 Florence Rd.
Riverside, CT 06878
(203) 637-3800
Riverside, CT 06878
(203) 637-3800
Overview
This State (CT)
US
# Schools
1,008 Schools
100,275 Schools
# Students
490,241 Students
49,273,287 Students
# Teachers
40,264 Teachers
3,176,831 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
15:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (CT)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
49%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
48%
43%
Graduation Rate
88.2%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
38%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
6%
5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.68
0.71
# American Indian Students
1,162 Students
465,608 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
25,877 Students
2,805,329 Students
% Asian Students
5%
6%
# Hispanic Students
155,810 Students
14,933,117 Students
% Hispanic Students
32%
30%
# Black Students
59,956 Students
7,261,590 Students
% Black Students
12%
15%
# White Students
223,022 Students
20,989,063 Students
% White Students
46%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
434 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
23,507 Students
2,585,768 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (CT)
Statewide Total Revenue
$14,669 MM
Statewide Total Spending
$14,214 MM
Revenue / Student
$29,922
Spending / Student
$28,995
Best Connecticut Public Schools by County (2026-27)
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Connecticut?
The top-ranked public schools in Connecticut include Riverside School, West School, and South School.
How many public schools are located in Connecticut?
1,008 public schools are located in Connecticut.
What percentage of students in Connecticut go to public school?
88% of all K-12 students in Connecticut attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Connecticut?
Minority enrollment in Connecticut is 55%, with the majority being Hispanic.
Which public schools in Connecticut are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Connecticut include: Victoria Soto Preschool vs. Franklin School, Capt. Nathan Hale School vs. Timothy Edwards School, Jonathan Law High School vs. Joseph A. Foran High School
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