ZIP Codes With Perfect School Scores (2026)
By Sharon Ben-Moshe · June 25, 2026
A handful of US ZIP codes earn a perfect 100 school score on NeighborScore. Here's where they are and what drives a flawless score.
A perfect 100 school score on NeighborScore means a ZIP's public schools both cover the full grade range and post math and reading proficiency at the top of the scale. Paired with a strong crime score, these ZIPs reach the very top of the index. Ada, Minnesota (56510) is a standout, combining that perfect school score with a 95 crime score for a 97 overall — tied for the highest NeighborScore in the country.
What a perfect school score requires
The school score blends two inputs from federal education data: grade coverage (does the ZIP host schools spanning elementary through high school?) and academic proficiency (how do math and reading results compare?). A ZIP reaches 100 only when both are strong — broad coverage alone is not enough.
Where the perfect scores are
Beyond Ada, MN (56510), western Maryland fields perfect-100 school ZIPs in Oakland (21550) and Accident (21520) — both pair the perfect school score with a 95 crime score for a 97 overall. Maryland's Crisfield (21817) and Hancock (21750) do the same.
The list spans the country: Ewing, Nebraska (68735), Reserve, New Mexico (87830), Lexington, Mississippi (39095), and Bradford, Vermont (05033) all earn a flawless school score, and each reaches a 97 overall on the strength of a 95 crime score alongside it.
Read perfect scores with care
Small districts can swing year to year because a single graduating class is a large share of the sample. A perfect score is a strong signal, but parents should still check the most recent state report card and tour the schools directly.
Frequently asked questions
Does the score include private schools?
No. The school score is based on public-school data from federal sources, so areas served mainly by private schools may score lower than their true quality.
Where does the proficiency data come from?
From the U.S. Department of Education's NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts files. For the full scoring method, see how NeighborScore works. This is a research tool, not an enrollment recommendation.