Towns with the best public schools in Connecticut
Ranked by how far each town's public schools score above or below the Connecticut average in math and reading proficiency, weighted by enrollment. 149 towns with 2,500+ residents.
Where Putnam lands: #128 of 149
−11.9 pts vs. the CT average in math + reading · Visit Putnam →
1
New Canaan
Western Connecticut Planning Region
+40.4 pts
Math 81.4% · Reading 87.9%
2
Darien
Western Connecticut Planning Region
+36.7 pts
Math 78.6% · Reading 83.4%
3
Westport
Western Connecticut Planning Region
+35.9 pts
Math 75.6% · Reading 84.8%
KillingworthLower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region · Regional School District 17
59.9%
72.1%
North StoningtonSoutheastern Connecticut Planning Region · North Stonington School District
54.9%
68.6%
East HaddamLower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region · East Haddam School District
48.8%
63.4%
Deep RiverLower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region · Regional School District 04
41.2%
69.3%
Old SaybrookLower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region · Old Saybrook School District
45.7%
64.5%
East HamptonLower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region · East Hampton School District
46%
61.5%
North BranfordSouth Central Connecticut Planning Region · North Branford School District
38.6%
52.4%
How this ranking works
For every public school in a town we take its latest math and reading proficiency and subtract the Connecticut average for the same test. The town’s score is the average of those gaps, weighted by each school’s enrollment, so a big high school counts more than a small annex. Private schools aren’t included.
Each state writes its own tests, so these scores compare towns within Connecticut only. We don’t rank a town unless at least 150 students in its schools were tested. Test data: EDFacts via Urban Institute Education Data Portal (SY2020-21).
Only towns with at least 2,500 residents are ranked; Census estimates for smaller places are too uncertain. Population and income: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Town photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each town’s page.