How we build this guide

Transparency about our data sources, ranking methodology and review process — so you can trust what you read.

Official data sources

Every school profile is built from official government education records. In the United States we use the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) via the EDGE program — the same directory the U.S. Department of Education publishes. Each listing shows its source and the school year it reflects (currently 2024-2025).

• Enrollment, grades, student–teacher ratio, teachers (FTE) — NCES CCD.
• District, county, locale, charter status — NCES CCD.
• Free/reduced lunch & demographics — NCES CCD.
• Address, coordinates, phone — NCES EDGE point locations.

How the ranking works

Schools are ranked on a transparent score that combines profile completeness with real engagement signals — page views, parent leads and community ratings. Paid plans never change the score, so the order stays fair. A school starts appearing in community rankings from 5 ratings, and its public average score unlocks at 10 ratings.

Claimed & edited profiles

School administrators can claim their official profile to add photos, a description and contact details. Claims are verified and tied to a paid subscription, so only the rightful owner can edit a profile. Official NCES facts remain visible as the source of record.

Corrections & freshness

Data is refreshed when NCES publishes a new school year. If you spot an error on a school page, use the contact page and we will review and correct it.

Last reviewed: November 5, 2026 · Source: NCES Common Core of Data (EDGE / CCD)