2022 Cities with the Best Public Schools in America

• City in Illinois

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  Rating 4.16 out of 5  657 reviews

Former Resident: Grew up in Naperville and while growing up in lower socioeconomic class than many peers was challenging, education received was top notch. I would hire anyone from Naperville before I'd hire someone from college alma mater as Naperville work ethic is unmatched. Overall was a really safe place to be a kid and cannot be more grateful for the education I received.... Read 657 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 147,734

• City in California

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  Rating 4.4 out of 5  365 reviews

Current Resident: I grew up in NYC, lived in L.A. and Marin County, CA and then moved to Carlsbad when it was time to start a family. We've lived in Carlsbad for 25 years now, first in La Costa Valley and now Olde Carlsbad, which is my favorite area of town (custom homes! no sidewalks! no HOAs! ocean views!). I love this city, and my neighbors. Unlike most of coastal California Carlsbad still leans conservative, meaning that I'm still able to find others who share my values. The local beaches are beautiful and I love being able to walk and bike along the local beach without needing to sit in traffic or struggle to find somewhere to park, all year round. Carlsbad's downtown area is fun with great restaurants, a farmer's market, and a huge biannual street fair. I feel lucky every day to live here.... Read 365 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 114,411

• City in Washington

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  Rating 4.38 out of 5  176 reviews

Current Resident: Clean, friendly, and inviting place. Housing affordability is questionable. Commute time is decent because there are a ton of public transportation options. Family friendly areas everywhere. Safety is great. Bellevue PD is very kind and fair.... Read 176 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 146,145

• City in Michigan

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  Rating 4.28 out of 5  537 reviews

Former Resident: Truly a magical place! A2 exists in its own world and operates drastically different from anywhere outside the city line. As the most educated city in America, A2 is full of sharp and highly intelligent people. These people tend to be very eccentric, youthful, and sometimes prickly or rude, regardless of age. It's a city of the forever young! Very walkable and dense in the urban center and stunningly beautiful everywhere you go. World-class dining, an incredibly diverse population, and a strong sense of community and optimism. Most of the population is incredibly wealthy which in turn makes living costs incredibly expensive for everyone else. However, living here is worth the price tag for the experience. Pro tip living here: take little trips into the real world (outside city lines) to give yourself a mental break sometimes. A2 is such a highly academic environment (even if you're not in school) it can sometimes be draining and feel like you're trapped in a bubble.... Read 537 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 121,093

• City in California

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  Rating 4.37 out of 5  539 reviews

Nearby Resident: I love Irvine! I went to UCI for my bachelors degree and it was a beautiful area. There are many activities to do beyond campus life. My friends and I would ride our bikes in the park and then get food from the University Town center. Irvine became a second home for my friends and I. We would study all day and night in the library and then we would go to the movies in the town center. On the weekend, when we did not have much studying to do, we would go to university town center to interact with other college students. Irvine is not only a great place to raise a family, it is also one of the safest neighborhoods around the area. Additionally, because Irvine is a college town there are many job opportunities If I could, I would live in Irvine to pursue my future buying a house and raising children. To add the cost of living in Irvine is high and over the years has gone up; however, I believe that the cost of living is worth the amazing lifestyle one with achieve by living in Irvine.... Read 539 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 272,694

• City in Texas

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  Rating 4.33 out of 5  469 reviews

Current Resident: A vibrant and thriving town, both very friendly for family and fun. It's got great schools, walking areas and parks, and massive healthcare infrastructure. I really enjoy that it creates a great blend for expats and travellers, you can meet people from all backgrounds. Houston is 40 minutes away, but you really do not need to go there - you've got everything in The Woodlands. There are a lot of great places for dining and leisure - from huge Pavillion for music concerts, to top-notch restaurants, very elegant Waterway for strolls and music. I would argue the town has got some European vibe, relaxed and classy, which is a bit different from the rest of Texas.... Read 469 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 114,532

• City in California

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  Rating 4.15 out of 5  358 reviews

Current Resident: Not only was I born and raised in Thousand Oaks (husband as well), I’ve raised my 5 kids here! The schools are excellent, sports programs are top notch, great training facilities such as Mamba Academy, tons of community events organized Conejo Parks and Rec, a teen center, a senior center and a large city library. Surrounded by the beautiful Santa Monica mountains, there’s plenty of hiking trails that are especially beautiful in the late winter/early spring and close to the beach. The weather is nearly perfect! Not nearly as hot as the San Fernando Valley, yet you get nice cool ocean breezes in the afternoon. It was lacking diversity when I was growing up but that has changed in recent years. It’s still very safe although some LA crime is starting to creep in. Luckily we have a very proactive police department that takes crime and homelessness seriously. We absolutely love it here!... Read 358 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 127,648

• City in Kansas

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  Rating 4.16 out of 5  445 reviews

Current Resident: Overland Park is a nice, warming, growing city, with lots of fun hidden things to do. For example, there are many fun hiking trails, exhibits, and neat restaurants to eat. Overland Park is apart of Kansas City, which is known for their barbecue. Because Overland Park is centralized, it is near downtown KC and other downtown areas. With lots of new land open for building, you can be apart of either a new or older neighborhood. Its a growing city with lots of opportunities to have fun, relax, and get out!... Read 445 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 193,412

• City in Texas

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  Rating 4.1 out of 5  894 reviews

Works Here: I moved to Plano at age 14, I would recommend this city to those with children, especially in the center of Plano (From Dallas North Tollway to Highway 75). This city truly has everything you need. If it's not walking distance away then it's no more than ten minutes away. The city is very safe, quiet, and fun!... Read 894 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 288,870

• City in Colorado

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  Rating 4.05 out of 5  328 reviews

Current Resident: Love it! I was a student at CU Boulder, and this city has the perfect college-town vibe, while still having plenty of other stuff to do. And you can't beat these views!... Read 328 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 108,777

• City in Virginia

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  Rating 4.51 out of 5  247 reviews

Current Resident: Arlington is great for college students! Lots of restaurants and places to shop. It is so close to Washington D.C. that it is easy to find internships, jobs, and other opportunities. You can take the metro from Arlington right into Washington and get to see all the museums, galleries, food places, and the monuments. Housing can be a little expensive so it is best to find roommates to split the cost. Everything is so close that you do not really need a car unless you want to travel out further than the metro or a bike can take you. Plenty of coffee shops and study places, and the mall is a nice place to grab food and do work. The local shops and businesses really like to employee college age kids and they pay good for a part time job. They make applications easy and will let you know quickly. There are several options for grocery stores that are pretty cheap depending on where you go. With it being a city, you can also have groceries delivered to your apartment which is awesome!... Read 247 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 236,434

• City in California

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  Rating 4.06 out of 5  191 reviews

Current Resident: Living in Berkeley has been an extremely eye-opening experience. I am currently attending the University of California Berkeley so I have been able to experience the city first hand. The public transportation is excellent and punctual. The city is dense. but not so much that it feels congested. This makes it easy to get around with or without a car, which is important for young students. The northside seems like a great place to raise a family, while the southside provides a range of shops and nightlife to engage in. It is truly a city that has something for everyone.... Read 191 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 123,065

• City in California

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  Rating 4.33 out of 5  302 reviews

Current Resident: I believe the city of Torrance is a diverse and safe city in Southern California! The Torrance unified school district is one of the best districts, and also has the best hospitals in the area. A very family friendly town with so many parks and things to do, not to mention all of the good food that comes out of this town.... Read 302 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 144,430

• City in Texas

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  Rating 3.94 out of 5  714 reviews

Current Resident: College Station is such a vibrant area for college students and permanent residents alike. There is a thriving night life situated 15 minutes from a historic downtown setting, and everything in between.... Read 714 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 115,802

• City in California

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  Rating 4.24 out of 5  342 reviews

Current Resident: Burbank is a very quite and somewhat isolated place. Many attractions lie near this area but it still tends to be a very relaxing environment. The attractions here are the WB studio, near disneyland, universal studios, and more! Plus the fact that it is around many amazing resturants! I love the air quality which is fresh and depending on your neighboorhood everyone is friendly.... Read 342 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Population 103,411

• City in California

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  Rating 4.1 out of 5  255 reviews

Current Resident: Located within a bustling metropolis, Sunnyvale contains opportunities of all kinds. There are many companies in the tech sector in Sunnyvale. It is a beautiful city with lots of parks and amenities as well as having a mild climate.... Read 255 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Population 152,569

• City in Massachusetts

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  Rating 4.35 out of 5  121 reviews

Current Resident: Cambridge is small town, but has excellent resources and opportunities for middle school all the way through high school and college. Cambridge is very a diverse place. It's a small place where everyone know everyone and people know their families.... Read 121 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Population 117,822

• City in Texas

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  Rating 4.11 out of 5  316 reviews

Current Resident: Mid-level college town close to Dallas. Lots of restaurants, but also lots of traffic. It has pretty parks. There are a lot of stores nearby, and many events happening. It is overall very safe too. I like living here. It's a diverse place depending on where you go, some areas are very "segregated" almost. I like the suburb atmosphere and the location is amazing with being minutes away from Downtown Dallas and not too far from Fort worth/ Arlington area. The cost of living in this city is not too high, the schools are continuing to grow and the safety is increasing with awareness and funding. There is plenty of things to do, see, and eat for all ranges of families. Richardson as a city is a really good balance between suburban and urban life. There are small neighborhoods where it feels like you know everyone around you but there are also nearby metro cities that make the environment feel extremely lively.... Read 316 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Population 118,583

• City in Virginia

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  Rating 3.98 out of 5  1,808 reviews

Current Resident: Lots of great dinning options. Local gems like Citrus that was featured on diners drive ins and dives. A diverse population. Strong military presence, visit the Wisconsin for some military history and a sense of national pride! Be aware that there will be rush hour traffic and bridge opening you should plan your traveling around. Of course the local beaches are amazing but visit when it’s not the peak of summer! Unless you want to come for something in the water, it was canceled because of the pandemic but the previous year was amazing. A lot of big name performers have concerts at Veterans United. There is a lot of outdoor fun to be had too! Rent paddle boards or kayaks for a fun day on the water. Or experience whale watching and dolphin tours, and my favorite the pirate ship tour!... Read 1,808 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 450,882

• City in Maryland

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  Rating 4.17 out of 5  390 reviews

Current Resident: Best place in the greater Baltimore Washington area to live. Much better prices than DC area and lovely diverse neighborhoods. Great school system (Howard County, MD). Lots of parks and recreation. Great restaurants and shopping. Extremely low crime rate. We looked at houses all over the MD suburbs of DC and the prices were just totally ridiculous. Bought a much better house in a much better neighborhood backing to a 1,000 nature preserve in Columbia for a much lower price. If you have school age kids this is the place to be. Also great services for senior citizens. Big Mall with lots of stores.Great hospital and good doctors and health care facilities. Local community college is a very good school.... Read 390 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Population 105,412

• City in California

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  Rating 3.86 out of 5  205 reviews

Current Resident: I am in love with Santa Clara, it's culturally diverse. Hospitals are close and roads are close to freeways. The stores are walking distance. Santa clara electric system is separate from PG&E, making prices cheaper. Water is included in rent. The areas to rent are pet inclusive allowing for people to be with loved ones and having understanding neighbors. There's always a good location to dine in or to even have drinks. Public school systems have pretty well maintained fields and have alot of opportunities. Real estate is expensive however for living costs. Renting is more affordable. Jobs are available and competitive.... Read 205 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 126,723

• City in California

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  Rating 4.22 out of 5  500 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in Temecula for 32 years. I moved from a small beach town in Orange County and I was looking for a more affordable place to live that still had a small town feeling to it. I love Temecula for so many reasons. The weather is close to perfect most of the year even though it gets hot in August, this beach girl can take it. There are tons of wineries and restaurants to choose from. We have a happening night life with live music. You can be at the beach or mountains within a 30 minute drive. We have incredible schools as well. This is a great place to raise kids!... Read 500 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A

• Population 113,117

• City in California

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  Rating 4.52 out of 5  1,030 reviews

Current Resident: Since moving here in 2015 right out of high school, I found this magical city that I call home. The perks are endless. There are loads of activities to get into, many of them being outdoors. There is hiking, roller skating, walking the boardwalk at the beach, surfing, kayaking in the open ocean, walking around Balboa Park, going to the zoo, etc. I have felt safe throughout my time living here, and I have made many new friends. It is a small city and coincidentally, I run into the same people often! The commute to virtually any location in San Diego is 15-20 minutes or less! There are many job/career opportunities. I found and molded myself while living in San Diego, and I feel ready to take on what life has to throw at me. Overall, my time in this city and the state of California has been magical, and I do not plan on leaving anytime soon.... Read 1,030 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 1,414,545

• City in Arizona

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  Rating 4.47 out of 5  364 reviews

Current Resident: Scottsdale has been a great place to live overall. It is well maintained and has great shopping and dining choices offering a range of cuisine. It also is pretty low on crime and feels safe wherever you go. There are also lots of opportunities to be outside with parks and green belts and lots of community members made good use of them. It is nice to see so many people out walking, running, biking, etc. and does being in a sense of community which can be harder to find nowadays. Traveling through the city is also fairly convenience as the city runs more North to South which allows people to make use of the 101 freeway fairly easily. Main arteries also run along the city to make side streets a viable option when commuting. Although they can get busy during high commute times and street lights do add delay. There are some challenges though. Compared to other areas in the greater Phoenix area, Scottsdale has expensive real estate. More diversity is also needed!... Read 364 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 254,995

• City in Texas

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  Rating 4.29 out of 5  402 reviews

Current Resident: It is very nearby to many big and upcoming areas like Austin, Georgetown, Pflugerville, and Hutto. There is so much to do with city wide events, baseball games at the Dell Diamond, and America’s largest indoor water park resort, Kalahari!... Read 402 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 128,812