2024 Best Public-School Districts in Fairfield County, CT

Dina Cheney is a Fairfield County-based journalist. She covers lifestyle, including real estate, for many publications and brands. Dina is also the author of six books, including The New Milks.

Along with proximity to New York City and scenic beaches and countryside, Fairfield County, CT is known for its top-notch public-school districts. Nationally recognized, they help to justify the area’s high home prices. The median sale price in January 2024 was about $540,000 according to Redfin (versus about $380,000 nationwide), with many properties costing into the millions. In Greenwich, a property recently sold for $138.8 million.

For insights into why so many buyers flock to this area and keep the property values high, here’s the low-down on the top public school districts, according to EdSight.ct.gov and Tomo. Of course, we took it a step further and assigned each school a Tomo grade (called the Tomo Transcript), along with some schools receiving honor distinction. All eight are comparable when it comes to the high percentages of students who graduate in four years and go on to attend college. Student teacher ratios are impressively low, ranging from 12:1 to 10:1, with most students demonstrating proficiency in math and reading.

School District	Tomo Transcript	Number of Students	Student-teacher Ratio	Graduating in 4 years	College Entrance
New Canaan	99.3%	4,168	12:1	99.3%	85.2%
Darien	96.8%	4,700	11:1	98.1%	88.4%
Weston	96.7%	2,197	12:1	99%	86.3%
Wilton	96.1%	3,788	12:1	97.5%	86%
Westport	95.2%	5,387	10:1	97.4%	84.5%
Ridgefield	93.8%	4,568	12:1	95.9%	85.1%
Greenwich	91.9%	8,560	11:1	95.9%	82.5%
Fairfield	88.5%	9,379	11:1	95.7%	84.3%

The Big List:

#1 New Canaan

Across its five schools (three elementary, one middle, and one high), this district educates more than 4,100 students. The student teacher ratio is 12:1, with 81% of students at least proficient in math and 86% in reading. A whopping 99.3% of students graduate in four years, with 85.2% entering college. As an added plus, NCPS is known for its athletic programs, with its teams winning several state and county championships. The Rams, the New Canaan football team, has been state champs 14 times and is famous for long lines of identical black suburbans queuing up at pick up each proudly flying their town colors with a NC logo magnet on the trunk. Along with academics and athletics, students have access to first-rate social and emotional learning: in 2017, NCPS began partnering with the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence to enrich its curriculum.

#2 Darien

Amanda Spatola, a mom of three and real estate salesperson, moved to this town for the schools. “The extracurriculars, from the sports to the theater, are pretty extraordinary, and the parent involvement is wonderful,” she says. Across the five elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, the student teacher ratio is 11:1 (among the lowest in this group), and 77% of its 4,700 students are at least proficient in math and 81% in reading. Other draws are the sports teams (which have won many state championships), green roofed cafeteria, and greenhouse. More than 98% of high schoolers graduate in four years and 88.4% start college.

#3 Weston

With larger lots and a slightly more rural feel, this town offers nature along with its stellar academics. “The schools here are excellent and small,” says Linda Skolnick, who sells properties in the area. With only four schools (one elementary, one middle, one intermediate, and one high), 68% of the roughly 2,200 students are at least proficient in math and 77% in reading. The student-teacher ratio is 12:1, with a whopping 99% of students graduating within four years and 86.3% starting college.

#4 Wilton

Rather than one elementary school, Wilton’s district features one school for pre-K through second grade and another for grades three through five. Afterwards, the 3,788 students in this town of 18,000 segue to one middle school and a choice of two high schools. The district’s smaller, alternative option, Genesis, provides students with personalized learning and training in “skills necessary for life-long independence” in “an emotionally safe and positive climate.” On average, the student teacher ratio is about 12:1, with 65% of students at least proficient in math and 76% in reading. Nearly 98% of high schoolers graduate in four years, with 86% entering college. 

#5 Westport

In 2011, when her daughter graduated from high school, 50 students went to Ivy League schools, estimates Skolnick, a real estate broker who lives in town. This district serves 5,387 students and consists of five elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. The student-teacher ratio is 10:1, the lowest in this group. Based on state test scores, 74% of students are at least proficient in math and 82% in reading, with 97.4% graduating in four years and 84.5% entering college. Because the schools are relatively large, students learn to advocate for themselves and have access to amenities like a radio station and first-rate theater, points out Skolnick. “Colleges like Westport kids since they’re really prepared for college.”

#6 Ridgefield

While honoring its town’s 315-year history, this school district has kept up with the times: it has a podcast, YouTube channels, and social media accounts. Spanning six elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school, Ridgefield’s public school district educates about 4,600 students. Based on state test scores, 69% are at least proficient in math and 79% in reading. With a student teacher ratio of 12:1, the four-year graduation rate is 95.9%, with 85.1% of students entering college.

#7 Greenwich

The second largest district in this group, GPS educates nearly 8,600 students across eleven neighborhood elementary schools, three middle schools, and one high school (plus an off-site alternative high school program). Although 2,700 students attend the high school, they aren’t lost in the crowd thanks to the five-house system (each with its own staff). The student teacher ratio is low (11:1) and 64% of students are at least proficient in math and 73% in reading. Nearly ninety-six percent of students graduate in four years and 82.5% begin college. Note to parents of actors, singers, and musicians: you and your kids will appreciate the 35,000-square-foot, $28 million Performing Arts Center.

#8 Fairfield

With a population of about 62,000, Fairfield is a bustling town, and the largest district in this group. Its 11 elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools (plus an alternative high school) educate nearly 9,400 students. Benefiting from a student teacher ratio of 11:1, 61% of students are at least proficient in math and 72% in reading. Nearly ninety-six percent of students graduate in four years, with 84.3% entering college. Fun fact: alum, John Mayer, sang about his high school experience in his first hit song, “No Such Thing.”

What’s Next

For those of you looking to buy a home in one of these Best School Districts, Tomo.com provides free access to the most up to date real estate listings. You also can connect with a free home search advisor to get your journey started – by phone or text.