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 64,588 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
100,274 Schools
# Students
490,241 Students
49,273,234 Students
Showing 2016–2025. View full 39-year historical data
# Teachers
40,264 Teachers
3,176,846 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. View full 39-year historical data
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. View full 39-year historical data
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (CT)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
41%
Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
49%
47%
Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
48%
43%
Graduation Rate
88.2%
87%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 13-year historical data
Eligible for Free Lunch
38%
50%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 34-year historical data
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
6%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 27-year historical data
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.68
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# American Indian Students
1,162 Students
465,607 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
25,877 Students
2,805,284 Students
% Asian Students
5%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# Hispanic Students
155,810 Students
14,933,108 Students
% Hispanic Students
32%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# Black Students
59,956 Students
7,261,526 Students
% Black Students
12%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# White Students
223,022 Students
20,989,144 Students
% White Students
46%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# Hawaiian Students
434 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
23,507 Students
2,585,770 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 15-year historical data
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (CT)
Statewide Total Revenue
$14,669 MM
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Statewide Total Spending
$14,214 MM
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Revenue / Student
$29,922
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Spending / Student
$28,995
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
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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