School Ratings
Compare school districts across America with data on test scores, student-teacher ratios, graduation rates, and overall ratings.
| City | District | Schools | Students | Ratio | Grad Rate | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | Austin ISD | 129 | 74,600 | 14:1 | 87% | B+ |
| Denver, CO | Denver Public Schools | 207 | 90,200 | 16:1 | 72% | B |
| San Diego, CA | San Diego Unified | 221 | 98,800 | 22:1 | 89% | B+ |
| Nashville, TN | Metro Nashville Public | 169 | 82,000 | 14:1 | 80% | B |
| Chicago, IL | Chicago Public Schools | 634 | 321,000 | 16:1 | 83% | B- |
| New York, NY | NYC Dept of Education | 1,800 | 915,000 | 13:1 | 81% | B |
| Los Angeles, CA | LAUSD | 1,052 | 563,000 | 22:1 | 81% | B- |
| San Antonio, TX | San Antonio ISD | 91 | 47,000 | 15:1 | 84% | B |
How School Ratings Work
School ratings at AreaConnect are based on a composite score that factors in standardized test scores, graduation rates, student-teacher ratios, college readiness indicators, and equity measures. Ratings range from A+ (exceptional) to D- (well below average), with the national average falling around a B-.
It is important to understand that a single rating cannot capture the full picture of a school or district. Factors like extracurricular programs, teacher quality, school culture, and special education resources all matter but are harder to quantify. We encourage families to visit schools in person and talk to current parents and students in addition to reviewing the data.
Student-Teacher Ratio Explained
The student-teacher ratio measures the number of students per full-time equivalent teacher in a school or district. Lower ratios generally indicate more individual attention for students. The national average is about 16:1, though this varies significantly by state. California tends to have higher ratios (around 22:1), while northeastern states often have lower ratios (12-14:1). Research consistently shows that lower class sizes benefit students, particularly in early grades and for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Choosing the Right School District
For families relocating to a new city, school quality is often the single most important factor in choosing where to live. Beyond ratings and test scores, consider the availability of gifted and talented programs, special education services, language immersion options, and the diversity of the student body. Many cities also offer magnet schools and charter school options that may provide specialized programs regardless of which neighborhood you live in.
School data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and state education departments.