Vermont is the #49 largest school system in the United States, serving 77,173 students across the 301 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 134 private schools, serving 13,481 students). 85% of all K-12 students in Vermont attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Vermont is 40%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 44%.
The top-ranked public schools in Vermont are Marion W. Cross School, Montgomery Elementary School, and Waitsfield Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
There are 2 magnet schools. Minority enrollment is 13%, with the majority being Hispanic or Black and the student-teacher ratio is 11:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Vermont (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Marion W. Cross School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-6
22 Church Street
Norwich, VT 05055
(802) 649-1703
Norwich, VT 05055
(802) 649-1703
Rank: #22.
Montgomery Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 70-74% (Top 5%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-8
249 School Drive
Montgomery Center, VT 05471
(802) 326-4618
Montgomery Center, VT 05471
(802) 326-4618
Rank: #33.
Waitsfield Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 65-69% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-6
3951 Main Street
Waitsfield, VT 05673
(802) 496-3643
Waitsfield, VT 05673
(802) 496-3643
Rank: #44.
Cavendish Town Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 60-69% (Top 5%)
Reading: 70-79% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-6
573 Main Street
Proctorsville, VT 05153
(802) 875-7758
Proctorsville, VT 05153
(802) 875-7758
Rank: #55.
Barnard Academy
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 60-69% (Top 5%)
Reading: 60-79% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-6
5979 Route 12
Barnard, VT 05031
(802) 234-9763
Barnard, VT 05031
(802) 234-9763
Rank: #66.
Charlotte Central School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 72% (Top 5%)
Reading: 66% (Top 10%)
Grades: PK-8
408 Hinesburg Road
Charlotte, VT 05445
(802) 425-2771
Charlotte, VT 05445
(802) 425-2771
Rank: #77.
Rumney Memorial School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 60-64% (Top 10%)
Reading: 65-69% (Top 5%)
Grades: 1-6
433 Shady Rill Road
Montpelier, VT 05602
(802) 223-5429
Montpelier, VT 05602
(802) 223-5429
Rank: #88.
Newton School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 65-69% (Top 5%)
Reading: 60-69% (Top 10%)
Grades: PK-8
243 Vt Route 132
South Strafford, VT 05070
(802) 765-4351
South Strafford, VT 05070
(802) 765-4351
Rank: #99.
Fayston Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 60-69% (Top 5%)
Reading: 60-69% (Top 10%)
Grades: PK-6
782 German Flats Road
Waitsfield, VT 05673
(802) 496-3636
Waitsfield, VT 05673
(802) 496-3636
Rank: #1010.
Orchard School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 59% (Top 10%)
Reading: 65-69% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-5
2 Baldwin Avenue
South Burlington, VT 05403
(802) 652-7300
South Burlington, VT 05403
(802) 652-7300
Overview
This State (VT)
US
# Schools
301 Schools
100,275 Schools
# Students
77,173 Students
49,273,202 Students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
# Teachers
7,149 Teachers
3,176,873 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (VT)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
41%
Showing 2011–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
52%
47%
Showing 2011–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
43%
43%
Graduation Rate
82%
87%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Free Lunch
39%
50%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
9%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.25
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# American Indian Students
186 Students
465,608 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
Showing 1997–2008. Full 21-year historical data available below ↓
# Asian Students
1,610 Students
2,805,329 Students
% Asian Students
2%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hispanic Students
2,884 Students
14,933,117 Students
% Hispanic Students
4%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 25-year historical data available below ↓
# Black Students
2,249 Students
7,261,590 Students
% Black Students
3%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓
# White Students
66,933 Students
20,989,063 Students
% White Students
87%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hawaiian Students
57 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
3,254 Students
2,585,768 Students
% of Two or more races Students
4%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 17-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (VT)
Statewide Total Revenue
$2,622 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Statewide Total Spending
$2,682 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$33,974
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$34,751
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Vermont Public Schools by County (2026-27)
Popular neighborhoods: New North End (5 schools), South End (3 schools), Essex Town (3 schools), Old North End (2 schools), Village of Woodstock (2 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Vermont?
The top-ranked public schools in Vermont include Marion W. Cross School, Montgomery Elementary School, and Waitsfield Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Vermont?
301 public schools are located in Vermont.
What percentage of students in Vermont go to public school?
85% of all K-12 students in Vermont attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Vermont?
Minority enrollment in Vermont is 13%, with the majority being Hispanic or Black.
Which public schools in Vermont are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Vermont include: Lake Region Union High School vs. North Country Union High School, Shaftsbury Elementary School vs. Monument Elementary School, North Country Union High School vs. Lake Region Union High School
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