Niche.com released its 2026 Best Schools and Districts in America rankings this week, and Wilton Public Schools again stands out among Connecticut’s top districts and ranks high on the national stage. The district earned an A+ overall grade, reflecting excellence in academics, teacher quality, college preparation and student experience.
Each year, Niche evaluates more than 10,000 school districts nationwide, using state test scores, graduation rates, SAT/ACT data, teacher statistics and millions of student and parent reviews.
Wilton’s continued presence in the Top 5 districts in Connecticut and the Top 100 nationally underscores its strength in academics, teaching and student experience. Individually, Wilton schools continue to earn some of the highest marks at every level, keeping it one of the most desirable districts in Connecticut and beyond.
District At a Glance: Wilton’s 2026 Rankings
At the overall district level, Wilton continues to score high marks from Niche.com.
- Best School Districts Nationally: #88 out of 10,394
- Best School Districts in Connecticut: #4 out of 120
- Best School Districts in Fairfield County: #4 out of 20
- Overall Grade: A+
For context, in the 2025 rankings, Wilton also placed #70 nationally and was ranked #3 in Connecticut.
Breaking down this year’s overall A+ grade for the district, Wilton earned high marks in almost every category:
- The district received an A+ in academics, teachers, clubs and activities, sports, resources and facilities, college prep and food.
- Wilton’s administration received an A
- For diversity, Niche.com gave the Wilton district a C+
Wilton in Context: Peers & State Comparison
In the 2026 Niche statewide listing, Wilton trails just three other Fairfield County districts:
- Westport (#1 in CT, #19 nationally)
- New Canaan (#2 in CT, #28 nationally)
- Darien (#3 in CT, #72 nationally)
Wilton ranks just ahead of Greenwich (#5 in CT, #100 nationally) and Ridgefield (#6 in CT, #112 nationally).
Wilton’s Strengths & Challenges
Strengths (per Niche data):
- Academics: On state test scores, 73% of students are proficient in math, and 79% are proficient in reading; the average graduation rate is 94%.
- Class Size: Student–teacher ratio of 12:1
- Grades: A+ in academics, teachers, college Prep, and clubs and activities.
- Recognition: Strong rankings for teachers and teaching environment.
Challenges:
- Wilton earns a C+ in Diversity, earning the same or similar grade as its peer schools in Fairfield County, aside from Greenwich, which received a B+
Wilton’s 2026 Subcategory Rankings (District Level)
National Rankings
Subcategory Rank Out of Best School Districts for Athletes #70 9,934 Districts with the Best Teachers #102 11,038 Best Places to Teach #103 11,278
State & County Rankings
Subcategory CT Rank Fairfield County Rank Best School Districts #4 (out of 120) #4 (out of 20) Districts with Best Teachers #4 (out of 130) #4 (out of 22) Best Places to Teach #6 (out of 133) #4 (out of 22) Best Districts for Athletes #7 (out of 117) #5 (out of 20)
Wilton’s Schools at a Glance
Miller-Driscoll School (PK–2)
- Overall Grade: A
- Student–teacher ratio: 13:1
- Note: Niche does not provide statewide or county rank positions for PK–2 schools.
Cider Mill School (Grades 3–5)
- Overall grade: A
- Best Public Elementary Schools in Connecticut: #32 out of 571
- Best Elementary Schools in Fairfield County: #27 out of 148
- Best Elementary School Teachers in Fairfield County: #20 out of 146
Middlebrook School (Grades 6–8)
- Overall Grade: A+
- Academics: A+
- Teachers: A+
- Diversity: B
- Best Public Middle Schools Nationally: #199 (out of 25,606)
- Best Public Middle Schools in Connecticut: #3 (out of 296)
- Best Public Middle School Teachers in Connecticut: #15 (out of 280)
- Best Public Middle Schools in Fairfield County: #4 (out of 74)
- Best Public Middle School Teachers in Fairfield County: #10 (out of 71)
Wilton High School (Grades 9–12)
- Overall Grade: A+
- A+ Grade for Teachers
- A Grade for academics, clubs and activities, sports and college prep
- A- Grade for administration, resources and facilities, and food
- B Grade for diversity
- Nationally
- Best Public High Schools in America: #455 (out of 20,162)
- Best High Schools for Athletes: #330 (out of 21,469)
- Best Public High School Teachers: #463 (out of 19,115)
- Best College Prep Public High Schools: #927 (out of 16,956)
- Connecticut
- Best Public High Schools: #7 (out of 202)
- Best College Prep Public High Schools: #10 (out of 194)
- Best Public High School Teachers: #10 (out of 194)
- Best High Schools for Athletes: #17 (out of 249)
- Best High Schools for STEM: #31 (out of 131)
- Fairfield County
- Best Public High Schools: #7 (out of 41)
- Best Public High School Teachers: #5 (out of 39)
- Best College Prep Public High Schools: #8 (out of 40)
- Best High Schools for Athletes: #10 (out of 49)
- Best High schools for STEM: #15 (out of 35)
It’s great to see that Wilton schools have maintained their standard of excellence through the 61 years since I graduated from Wilton High. I have always appreciated the advantages I enjoyed as a result of having attended Wilton public schools growing up.