Best Public Schools in Canton, CT

The four public schools in Canton, Connecticut — serving roughly 1,416 students in grades PK through 12 within the Canton School District — make up a high-performing suburban school system. The district ranks 33rd out of 153 Connecticut districts, placing it in the 78th percentile with a 4-star rating, and all schools score above state averages in most subjects.

Canton High School is the standout secondary school, with a 100% graduation rate and SAT proficiency of 77.3% in ELA, 85.3% in science, and 47.3% in math — all above state averages. It also has the district's lowest student-teacher ratio (9.6) and highest per-student spending ($18,855). Canton Intermediate School leads in attendance with just 6.8% chronic absenteeism, far below the district's 15.9%, and posts a strong literacy trajectory, rising from 64.2% in 4th grade to 72.9% in 6th. Canton Middle School has steadily improved its state ranking to 51st and excels in 8th-grade science (69.5% vs. 50.9% statewide) despite the district's highest economic disadvantage rate (22.9%). Cherry Brook Primary School is the elementary outlier: 3rd-grade math shines at 70%, but chronic absenteeism is 25.7% — the district's highest.

A few patterns stand out for parents. Math proficiency declines steadily as students advance, from 70.6% in 4th grade to 61.0% in 6th and 55.8% in 8th, making math the district's weakest area even as ELA remains consistently strong. At Canton High School, SAT math (47.3%) is the only subject below 50%, a relative weakness worth targeting. Spending also skews upward: the high school receives $18,855 per student versus $16,311 at Cherry Brook Primary School, raising equity questions about support for the youngest learners. Finally, while the high school has slipped from 10th to 17th in state rankings, it remains in the 87th percentile with a perfect graduation rate. Reducing elementary absenteeism and strengthening middle-grade math would solidify Canton's status as one of Connecticut's top districts.