Compare public school signals across every US county.
Use the map to scan regional public school signals, then open a county profile for graduation rates, school counts, district finance context, and individual school records from NCES.
Counties scored
3,120
Out of 3,144 county records
Avg school score
50
National composite index
NCES coverage
3,102
3,118 counties with finance data
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Source: NCES public school and school-finance records. The map is informational and compares counties, not school attendance zones or district assignment boundaries.
How to read the map
Start broad, then drill into county pages before comparing individual schools. The map is built for regional screening: it helps you find places worth a closer look, not make a final enrollment decision.
Click any county
Select a county to see its school score and open the full county profile with graduation rate, spending, district count, and school-list links.
Use scores as a starting point
A higher score means the county has stronger measured public-school signals in this dataset. It does not rate private schools, programs, teachers, or neighborhood attendance.
Verify locally
Confirm boundaries, transfers, program eligibility, and address assignments with the school district before drawing enrollment conclusions.
County comparisons need local context.
NCES data is a consistent national source, which makes it useful for broad county comparisons. School districts often cross county lines, and county-level averages can hide large differences between individual schools.
For a complete review, combine this map with county pages, school-level records, district websites, state report cards, and local attendance-zone tools.
Map FAQ
What does the school map score mean?
The map shows the SchoolsByCounty composite school score for each county. The score is a 0-100 index based on available NCES public school and school-finance signals, including graduation rates and per-pupil spending.
Does the map show individual school attendance zones?
No. The map is county-level and is designed for regional comparison. School attendance boundaries are set by local districts and must be verified with the district for enrollment questions.
Why are some counties missing or lightly colored?
Some counties have incomplete NCES coverage for one or more school metrics. Counties with enough data receive a composite score; counties with missing inputs may have limited map detail.