The US Success Index covers every regular public and charter school in the NCES Common Core of Data. It combines state-assessment proficiency in reading and math (EDFacts, all students), the share of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch as a measure of community advantage, and the student–teacher ratio. Each component is a percentile against schools of the same level (elementary, middle, high) across the whole country; state and district ranks are shown on every profile.

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Guides for parents in United States

Plain-English explainers on the school system and the data behind the rankings.

Understanding the data

State Test Proficiency Explained: How to Read Reading and Math Rates for US Schools

What 'percent proficient' means on state assessments, why rates are not comparable across states, how EDFacts reports school-level results and how to use them with other data.

Choosing a school

Public, Charter and Magnet Schools Explained: What the Labels Mean for Families

The differences between traditional public, charter and magnet schools, how enrollment and lotteries work, what Title I means and how each type appears in this site's data.

Choosing a school

Choosing a School District: What the Data Can and Cannot Tell You

A step-by-step approach to comparing districts and schools when moving: what to check in the federal and state data, how to weigh district versus school, and the questions for a visit.

Understanding the data

U.S. News, Niche and GreatSchools Rankings Compared: What Each School Rating Measures

How the three best-known American school rankings are calculated, where their results disagree and why, and how to use them alongside state proficiency data.

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Frequently asked questions

How are US schools ranked on this site?

Every regular public and charter school receives a Success Index from EDFacts reading and math proficiency, the share of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch and the student–teacher ratio, all from federal datasets. Components are percentiles within the same school level, and ranks are shown nationally, by state and by district.

Why are proficiency rates not comparable between states?

Each state sets its own tests and cut scores, so 60% proficient in one state is not the same as 60% in another. Within-state rankings are the fairest comparison; the national list is indicative only.

Are private schools included?

Not yet. The Common Core of Data covers public and charter schools; private schools are surveyed separately and less frequently.

Does a high ranking mean a school is better?

It means the school's published results and intake measures are strong. Visit the schools on your shortlist and ask how they support children at your child's level.