Connecticut is the #35 largest school system in the United States, serving 493,927 students across the 1,010 public schools for the 2025 school year (there are 420 private schools, serving 64,862 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 40%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 51%.
The top-ranked public schools in Connecticut are West School, Riverside School, and Sherman School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 54%, with the majority being Hispanic and the student:teacher ratio is 12:1.
Top Ranked Public Schools in Connecticut (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
West School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (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: #22.
Riverside School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 87% (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: #33.
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: #44.
South School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 88% (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: #55.
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: #66.
Darien High School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 82% (Top 5%)
Reading: 89% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
80 High School Ln.
Darien, CT 06820
(203) 655-3981
Darien, CT 06820
(203) 655-3981
Rank: #7 - 117. - 11.
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: #7 - 117. - 11.
Dwight Elementary 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
1600 Redding Rd.
Fairfield, CT 06824
(203) 255-8312
Fairfield, CT 06824
(203) 255-8312
Rank: #7 - 117. - 11.
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
Rank: #7 - 117. - 11.
North Street School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80-84% (Top 5%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
381 North St.
Greenwich, CT 06830
(203) 869-6756
Greenwich, CT 06830
(203) 869-6756
Overview
This State (CT)
# Schools
1,010 Schools
# Students
493,927 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
40,668 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (CT)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
47%
Graduation Rate
89%
Eligible for Free Lunch
37%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
6%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.68
# American Indian Students
1,203 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
# Asian Students
26,040 Students
% Asian Students
5%
# Hispanic Students
152,114 Students
% Hispanic Students
31%
# Black Students
60,859 Students
% Black Students
12%
# White Students
229,662 Students
% White Students
47%
# Hawaiian Students
484 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
# Two or more races Students
23,049 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (CT)
Total Revenue (22-23)
$12,920 MM
Spending (22-23)
$12,459 MM
Revenue / Student (22-23)
$26,157
Spending / Student (22-23)
$25,225
Best Connecticut Public Schools by County (2025)
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Connecticut?
The top-ranked public schools in Connecticut include West School, Riverside School, and Sherman School.
How many public schools are located in Connecticut?
1,010 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 54%, 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: Stratford Academy - Victoria Soto School vs. Franklin School, Capt. Nathan Hale School vs. Timothy Edwards School, Jonathan Law High School vs. Joseph A. Foran High School
Recent Articles

Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.

Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.

Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.