MOUNT HOLLY, Vt. – At a time when Vermont’s education system faces intense scrutiny over costs, student outcomes, and the future of small schools, new national school rankings offer an important reminder: Some of Vermont’s highest-performing elementary schools are located in its smallest rural communities.
According to U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 Best Elementary Schools rankings, the eight highest-ranked elementary schools in Vermont are all small rural schools, serving communities across the state. The top eight schools are (1) Rumney School, Middlesex; (2) Newton School, Strafford; (3) Montgomery School, Montgomery; (4) Craftsbury School, Craftsbury; (5) Orwell Village School, Orwell (6) Mount Holly School, Mount Holly; (7) Waterford School, Waterford; and (8) Peacham School, Peacham.
These schools serve relatively small student populations, yet their academic results place them among Vermont’s best.
“Too often, the conversation about Vermont’s small rural schools focuses almost exclusively on cost and enrollment, overlooking the quality of education these schools provide,” said Cheryl Charles, chair of the Rural School Community Alliance Steering Committee (RSCA). “These rankings tell an important story. Small rural schools are not simply surviving; many are excelling academically and providing their students with an outstanding education.”
The rankings come as Vermont continues to grapple with significant questions about education spending, school consolidation, and how best to improve student outcomes. RSCA believes academic performance must be central to those discussions. While fiscal responsibility is essential, decisions about the future of Vermont’s schools should also recognize the educational value of institutions that are delivering strong results for students.
“Vermonters deserve an education system that is both affordable and effective,” added Margaret MacLean, RSCA steering committee member. “But we should be careful not to equate bigger schools with better outcomes. These results demonstrate that small rural schools can deliver academic excellence, and any effort to reform our education system should build on what is working rather than put it at risk.”
Beyond academic achievement, small rural schools play a vital role in their communities, providing a sense of belonging, strong relationships among students and educators, and opportunities for families to remain connected to their local schools.
As Vermont considers the future of public education, RSCA encourages policymakers to examine the evidence, recognize the successes of high-performing rural schools, and pursue reforms that protect educational quality and community vitality alongside fiscal sustainability.