Best Public Schools in Storrs, CT

The city of Storrs, Connecticut, is served by just two public schools—E. O. Smith High School and Mansfield Middle School—together covering grades 5 through 12, with no elementary schools in the immediate data set. Both schools have earned 4-star ratings, but they are quite different in structure and performance. E. O. Smith High School, part of Regional School District 19, serves about 1,010 students in grades 9–12 and has a solid statewide ranking (38th out of 200, 81st percentile). Mansfield Middle School, in the Mansfield School District, serves only 414 students in grades 5–8 but ranks even higher relative to its peers—42nd out of 258 middle schools, placing it in the 84th percentile.

When comparing the two, Mansfield Middle School stands out as the stronger academic performer. It exceeds Connecticut state proficiency rates in 9 of 10 tested areas, with dramatic leads in 8th grade math (+27.7 points), 8th grade science (+21.9 points), and 8th grade ELA (+17.7 points). It also boasts a very low chronic absenteeism rate of 7.7%, less than half the state average, and an excellent 9:1 student-teacher ratio. E. O. Smith High School, by contrast, shows some mixed signals. While its rank and star rating are strong, its graduation rate of 88.8% trails the state average of 91.2%, and its chronic absenteeism rate of 15.8% is more than double the middle school's. The high school also spends considerably more per student ($19,552 vs. $13,839), yet the middle school achieves better relative outcomes with a slightly higher share of economically disadvantaged students (31.64% vs. 27.33% free/reduced lunch).

For parents, the key takeaway is that Storrs offers a high-performing middle school that appears exceptionally effective at preparing students academically, followed by a solid but less consistent high school experience. The stark divide in attendance and graduation metrics suggests that challenges may emerge as students transition to E. O. Smith, despite its strong reputation. One caveat: the most recent ranking data for E. O. Smith is from 2020–21, while Mansfield's is from 2025–26, and spending figures date to 2018–19—so current conditions may differ. Overall, these two 4-star schools provide a strong public education foundation, though parents should watch the high school's graduation and attendance trends closely.