According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 40% of public high school students are behind their grade level in the current academic year, compared to only 32% before the pandemic. Deteriorating outcomes are likely due in part to limited school resources, with 50% of public school leaders in the U.S. reporting feeling that their school was understaffed in October 2024.
Public school quality can vary considerably, however, and some school districts offer students a far greater chance of academic success than others. These districts tend to be well funded and well regarded by both parents and students.
Using district-level data compiled by Niche, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 50 best American school districts in 2025 based on a weighted index of multiple measures, including standardized test results, graduation rates, student-teacher ratios, extracurricular clubs, and sports teams.
Trust in America's public education system has fallen precipitously, with Gallup polling showing only 29% of adults having a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in public schools.
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