Buford City Schools strives daily to live up to its “Triple A Excellence” motto and all indications prove that BCS is doing just that. With above-average test results, award-winning fine arts and state-champion sports teams, Buford City Schools has earned recognition for its hard work.
For the tenth consecutive year, the Buford City School District has been named the No.1 Best School District in Georgia by Niche. BCS holds the No. 1 spot in the state for Best Places to Teach and Best School Districts for Athletes.
Nationally, Buford is ranked 22nd for the Best School Districts and they have earned recognition as the No. 4 Best School Districts for Athletes.
“I give credit (for Buford’s success) to the faculty and the administration and their dedication to providing the student body with the best education available,” Buford Board of Education Chairman Phillip Beard said. “Our facilities are the best. Ten straight years being number one is evidence we are the best in Georgia and one of the best in the South.”
“At Buford City Schools, excellence is not just a goal—it’s a standard we uphold every day,” Buford City School District Superintendent Melanie Reed said. “Our mission is to empower all students to become globally competitive critical thinkers, innovative problem solvers, responsible individuals, and productive citizens. Being ranked as the #1 school district in Georgia by Niche reflects our unwavering commitment to achieving this mission for our students, staff, families, and the community. When students are provided with the tools and opportunities to succeed, it shines through in everything we do at Buford City Schools.”
Niche gives schools grades and just like grades in actual schools, A+ is the highest a school can achieve. The Buford City School District earned an overall grade of A+.
A school or school district’s grade is determined by multiple areas and are awarded a grade in those as well. They are graded for academics, teachers, clubs and activities, sports, resources and facilities, diversity, college prep, administration and food. Buford received an A+ in all areas except diversity, where they earned an A.
When asked what Buford’s recipe for success is, Reed said, “We are fortunate to have the best staff, the best students, and unparalleled parental support. That’s why Buford City Schools is ranked #1 in the state. Beyond our incredible academic, athletic, and fine arts programs, what truly sets Buford apart is its unique sense of community pride.”
Buford’s schools have also earned recognition as being some of the best of the best. Buford Senior Academy has been ranked as the No. 1 Best Elementary School in Georgia, Buford Academy is ranked as the No. 2 Best Elementary School in Georgia, Buford Middle School earned the top spot for the Best Middle School in Georgia and Buford High School is ranked as the No. 11 Best High School in the state.
Note: Buford Elementary School does not receive official ratings due to the absence of standardized test scores.
“We are proud of the legacy we’ve built over the past ten consecutive years, but we’re not finished yet,” Reed said. “Our pursuit of excellence continues. Our goal is not just to be the best in Georgia but to be among the best in the nation. It’s not about competing with others; it’s about knowing we are doing what’s best for every student in the Buford City School System.”
With so many factors going into a school district’s success, it can be challenging to maintain or even exceed the previous years’ results. However, the top three Best School Districts in Georgia have each held onto their respective spots with Buford in the top spot, Oconee County in second place and Forsyth County rounding out the top three best districts in the state.
Other area school districts have changed in their rankings compared to last year.
- Jefferson City Schools slipped from No. 9 to No. 15
- Cobb County moved up from No. 21 to No. 18
- Gwinnett County improved from No. 29 to No. 20
- Fulton County slipped from No. 23 to No. 28
- Jackson County jumped up to No. 41 from No. 64
- Barrow County rose to No. 49 from No. 68
- Hall County fell from No. 55 down to No. 69
Buford High School is the No. 2 Top Public High School in Gwinnett County and No. 11 in the state, up from No. 16 last year. Here’s where other area high schools land in the state rankings with the previous year’s ranking in parenthesis.
- North Gwinnett High School, No. 12 (No. 20)
- Mill Creek High School, No. 24 (No. 34)
- Lanier High School, No. 49 (No. 75)
- Collins Hill High School, No. 65 (No. 65)
- Flowery Branch High School, No. 86 (No. 74)
To explore Niche’s 2025 rankings, visit their website at niche.com/k12/rankings/.
Take a look back at last year’s local schools’ Niche rankings here.
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