📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (NCES EDFacts, 2021–22 for most districts), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
All 14 Rated Districts in Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, CT
Sorted by rating, then state percentile
| County Rank | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Regional School District 18 | Old Lyme | 10/10 Excellent | 94th |
| #2 | Deep River School District | Deep River | 10/10 Excellent | 93rd |
| #3 | Chester School District | Deep River | 10/10 Excellent | 92nd |
| #4 | Essex School District | Deep River | 10/10 Excellent | 91st |
| #5 | Regional School District 17 | Higganum | 8/10 Good | 73rd |
| #6 | Westbrook School District | Westbrook | 8/10 Good | 72nd |
| #7 | Old Saybrook School District | Old Saybrook | 7/10 Good | 68th |
| #8 | East Haddam School District | Moodus | 6/10 Average | 50th |
| #9 | Portland School District | Portland | 5/10 Average | 49th |
| #10 | Regional School District 13 | Durham | 5/10 Average | 48th |
| #11 | East Hampton School District | East Hampton | 5/10 Average | 44th |
| #12 | Cromwell School District | Cromwell | 5/10 Average | 43rd |
| #13 | Clinton School District | Clinton | 5/10 Average | 42nd |
| #14 | Middletown School District | Middletown | 3/10 Below Average | 20th |
Best School Districts in Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut (2026)
This page lists the 14 public school districts headquartered in Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut that have a SchoolDistrictFinder rating, scored using EDFacts 2021–22 state assessment data. The county rank is simply their order here; the state percentile compares each district with every rated district in Connecticut, which is how the 1–10 rating is set. Ratings are not comparable with districts in other states.
Districts are placed in the county of their NCES directory listing. A district's boundaries can cross county lines, and a home in Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region may be served by a district headquartered next door — search your address or zip code to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-rated school district in Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut? ▼
Among the 14 rated districts in Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut, the highest-rated is Regional School District 18 (Old Lyme), rated 10/10 (Excellent) and in the 94th percentile of Connecticut districts on EDFacts 2021–22 reading and math proficiency.
How are these rankings calculated? ▼
Each district's rating comes from the share of its students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (EDFacts 2021–22), percentile-ranked against all rated districts in Connecticut and converted to a 1–10 scale. Full methodology here.