Buford City Schools Named Best School District in the U.S.

Buford, Georgia, October 2, 2025

News Summary

Buford City Schools has been recognized as the best school district in the United States, according to the 2026 Best School Districts in America list by Wiingy. Serving nearly 6,000 students, the district achieved an impressive score of 9.31 out of 10, with perfect ratings in eight categories including academics and college preparation. Buford City Schools also boasts a high graduation rate of 96% and maintains an A+ rating for 11 consecutive years, highlighting its strong commitment to educational excellence.

Buford, Georgia – Buford City Schools has achieved the title of the best school district in the U.S., according to the 2026 Best School Districts in America list by Wiingy. Recognized as the top district in metro Atlanta and the state of Georgia, Buford City Schools serves nearly 6,000 students and has earned an impressive A+ grade.

The district’s overall score was rated at 9.31 out of 10 in a national study utilizing data from Niche. Buford City Schools received perfect scores in eight out of nine evaluation categories, which include critical areas such as academics, college preparation, and resources. The only category in which it did not receive a maximum score was diversity, scoring 11 out of 12.

Graduation rates at Buford City Schools are notably high, with a remarkable 96% graduation rate. In terms of student proficiency, the district boasts 70% math proficiency and 65% reading proficiency. Furthermore, the average review rating of the district stands at 4.5 out of 5.

Following Buford City Schools are the Scarsdale Union Free School District in New York and Adlai E. Stevenson High School District No. 125 in Illinois as the second and third-best districts, respectively. Wiingy’s rankings indicate that New York features five districts listed in the top 10.

Wiingy’s analysis converted Niche’s letter grades into numerical scores based on various essential categories. Buford City Schools is made up of five campuses: Benson Elementary, Buford Academy, Buford Senior Academy, Buford Middle School, and Buford High School. The district maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 18-to-1.

The highly regarded district has retained its status as the No. 1 Best School District in Georgia for 11 consecutive years. Investments in educational facilities include the recent opening of Pillip Beard Stadium and Dexter Wood Field. Despite spending an average of $12,216 per student, which is below the national average, the district excels in academic performance. The average SAT score for Buford students is recorded at 1,155.5, while the average ACT score is 24.8, surpassing both state and national averages.

Superintendent Amy Chafin emphasizes the importance of a “whole-child approach” focusing on balancing academic rigor with character development, arts, and athletics. Buford City Schools continues to adapt its instructional practices while emphasizing the maintenance of high educational standards to strengthen its top-tier status.

Key Features of Buford City Schools

• Overall Score: 9.31 out of 10
• Grade: A+
• Graduation Rate: 96%
• Math Proficiency: 70%
• Reading Proficiency: 65%
• Student-Teacher Ratio: 18-to-1
• Average SAT Score: 1,155.5
• Average ACT Score: 24.8
• Annual Spending per Student: $12,216

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Additional Resources

• Fox 5 Atlanta
• Wikipedia: Buford, Georgia
• North Gwinnett Voice
• Google Search: Buford City Schools
• Patch
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
• iHeart Radio
• Google News: Best School Districts in the U.S.
• Atlanta Agent Magazine
• Google Search: College Preparation in Schools
• On3 Football Rankings

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