Best school districts in Vermont
A good school can lead to a lifetime of opportunities. Myriad data shows that lifetime earnings dramatically increase with every degree obtained. Bachelor’s degree holders will earn an average of roughly $26,000 more each year than high school graduates. And for those who decide that pursuing a college degree is not the best postsecondary option, a good school will provide students with the tools and support to make that choice, and the foundational skills necessary to succeed in the workforce.
For many families, the school district is a top criteria when deciding where to buy a home. But this consideration and ability to choose is not a luxury all families can afford, especially in today’s wildly competitive housing market.
One important proxy of a quality education is per-student spending. According to the most recent Census data available, the national average per-pupil expenditure in fiscal year 2019 was $13,187. Several recent studies suggest that increased spending per student correlates with higher academic achievement, particularly in districts serving predominantly low-income students. Since public schools are largely funded by property taxes, schools in low-income areas suffer the most from a lack of funding for critical expenditures like staff salaries and benefits, transportation, instructional resources, and support services.
There are more than 13,000 school districts in the U.S., each one slightly different, for better or worse, than the next. However, several common denominators exist and, when compared, can serve as indicators of what makes an impactful district.
Stacker compiled a list of the best school districts in Vermont using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks school districts based on a variety of criteria including academics (SAT/ACT scores and state proficiency tests), teacher salaries, expenses per student, and access to extracurricular activities.
#8. Rutland City School District (Rutland)
- Number of schools: 6 (2,048 students)
- Graduation rate: 92% (44% reading proficient and 38% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $71,441 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
#7. Craftsbury School District (Craftsbury Common)
- Number of schools: 1 (210 students)
- Graduation rate: No data available (62% reading proficient and 32% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $35,799 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
#6. Danville School District (Danville)
- Number of schools: 1 (379 students)
- Graduation rate: 90% (52% reading proficient and 37% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $46,172 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
#5. Washington Central Unified School District Union School District No. 92 (Montpelier)
- Number of schools: 6 (1,557 students)
- Graduation rate: No data available (reading and math proficiency not available)
- Average teacher salary: No data available (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
#4. Hartford School District (White River Junction)
- Number of schools: 6 (1,504 students)
- Graduation rate: 92% (58% reading proficient and 50% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $59,934 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
#3. Montpelier Roxbury Public School District (Montpelier)
- Number of schools: 4 (1,257 students)
- Graduation rate: No data available (reading and math proficiency not available)
- Average teacher salary: No data available (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
#2. Colchester School District (Colchester)
- Number of schools: 5 (2,412 students)
- Graduation rate: 92% (59% reading proficient and 53% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $80,320 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
#1. South Burlington School District (South Burlington)
- Number of schools: 5 (2,772 students)
- Graduation rate: 91% (71% reading proficient and 59% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $79,969 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
