5 CT School Districts Among 250 ‘Most Envied’ In US, New Survey Finds

CONNECTICUT — One of the nation's top 10 "most" envied school districts is right here in Connecticut.

Ridgefield landed the prestigious honor and is at No. 9 on the list, according to a new survey from Test Prep Insight’s list of the “Most Envied School Districts in the US." Test Prep Insight is an online company whose services include helping students prepare for college entrance exams and other educational and career guidance.

"Ridgefield offers a strong educational program with a focus on both academic and extracurricular excellence. The district's commitment to innovation and community support makes it a top choice for families," according to the authors of the list.

Connecticut had 4 other school districts ranked among the most envied by parents in America:

#12 Greenwich Public Schools: "Greenwich schools are celebrated for their rigorous academics, extensive AP course offerings, and competitive sports programs, in a community that places a high value on educational excellence," Test Prep Insight said.

#57 Westport Public Schools: "Westport's schools offer a rigorous curriculum, renowned arts programs, and a wide range of extracurricular activities. The district benefits from strong community engagement and resources," Test Prep Insight said.

#102 New Canaan Public Schools: "New Canaan's schools are recognized for their exceptional academic programs, high student achievement levels, and strong arts and athletics, supported by an affluent community that highly values education," Test Prep Insight said.

#115 Darien Public Schools: "Known for its high academic standards, Darien Public Schools feature a comprehensive curriculum with a strong emphasis on college preparedness, supported by a well-resourced and involved community," Test Prep Insight said.

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Test Prep Insight’s list of the “Most Envied School Districts in the US” is based on a survey of 3,000 parents who were asked about the learning environment they’d most like for their children if given a choice. The most desirable schools were in wealthy suburbs of major metropolitan areas, the survey showed.

Nationally, all but three of the most envied school districts are located on the East Coast. Test Prep Insight said its survey results underscore disparities in educational opportunities across the country that are largely influenced by local economic health and the robustness of the tax base.

The survey showed the 10 most-envied schools in the country are:

1. Lower Merion School District, Pennsylvania
2. Great Neck Public Schools, New York
3. Jericho Union Free School District, New York
4. Eanes Independent School District, Texas
5. Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, North Carolina
6. North Allegheny School District, Pennsylvania
7. North Kingstown School Department, Rhode Island
8. Teton County School District #1, Wyoming
9. Ridgefield Public Schools, Connecticut
10. Scottsdale Unified School District, Arizona

The company said its survey not only highlights the most sought-after school districts but also brings to light the broader implications of how educational opportunities are distributed in society.

The company said respondents in its February survey were adults reflecting diversity in age, gender and geography, and that internal data sources were used to obtain population data. A two-step process was used to ensure representation through stratified sampling and post-stratification weighting, the company said.