Every year, more than half of all American families with K-12 students visit GreatSchools to learn more about the schools in their area or gain more insight into the school their child attends. GreatSchools ratings are designed to help by providing a snapshot of multiple aspects of school quality compared to other schools in that state.

The overall GreatSchools Rating is a 1鈥�10 score, drawn from up to three themed ratings. These ratings are based on data about year-to-year student progress, test scores, and — at the high school level — how well the school prepares students for success after graduation. A GreatSchools Rating of 1鈥�4 indicates that a school is below average compared to others in the state, 5鈥�6 indicates average performance, and 7鈥�10 indicates above-average performance.

Clarity around the middle ratings

So what does 鈥渁verage performance鈥� say about whether or not a school is right for your child? A GreatSchools Rating of 5 or 6 indicates the need for a closer look at the numbers.

Compare the Test Score Rating with the school鈥檚 Student or Academic Progress Rating, which reflects how much students at a school improved from one year to the next, compared to students at other schools with similar proficiency levels. Research shows that progress — or 鈥済rowth — is one of the most reliable indicators of a school鈥檚 impact because it measures learning over time, regardless of a student鈥檚 starting point. A Student or Academic Progress Rating that is higher than the Test Score Rating suggests that a school is successfully helping students learn, despite challenges.

For high schools, check the College Readiness Rating to see how many students take advanced courses, how many graduate, and how students perform on college entrance exams.

Finally, in both the College Readiness and Test Score Ratings modules, look at the ratings for student groups by income level and race/ethnicity. While these student group ratings do not factor into the overall GreatSchools Rating, they do offer a more detailed view of how effectively schools are serving different student populations, and whether there are gaps in student performance.

Using data to help you make the best choice

It鈥檚 important to remember that data doesn鈥檛 tell the whole story about a school. A rating of 9 or 10 doesn鈥檛 automatically mean a school is the best fit for your child, just as a rating of 1 or 2 doesn鈥檛 mean a school has nothing positive to offer. Ratings can鈥檛 reflect every aspect of school life — such as the dedication of teachers, the strength of extracurricular programs, or the sense of community.

For schools whose ratings are in the middle range, take a closer look at the data to see how the school is serving children like yours. Is there an equity gap? Are students making progress over time? These data points may not provide answers on their own, but can be a starting point for the questions to ask, such as, 鈥楬ow do you measure progress and ensure that all kids are learning?鈥�

Once you鈥檝e learned what you can from the data, visiting schools in person, talking with families, and considering your child鈥檚 unique needs can help you see beyond the numbers to make the best choice for your child.