Best Schools in Gwinnett County, Georgia
143 ranked schools in Gwinnett County
Introduction
Gwinnett County has quietly become one of the most educationally competitive regions in Georgia — and the numbers back it up. With a fast-growing population, a diverse mix of communities stretching from Suwanee to Snellville, and a public school system that consistently punches above its weight, Gwinnett draws families who take academics seriously. The county is home to Georgia's largest school district, serving over 180,000 students, yet some of its individual schools rank among the very best in the entire state.
What makes Gwinnett particularly interesting is how performance varies by city and community. Pockets of excellence exist across the county, from the northern suburbs around Sugar Hill and Buford to the more established neighborhoods in Lawrenceville and Peachtree Corners. Whether you're relocating and trying to find the right zip code or you're already a Gwinnett resident looking to understand how your local schools stack up, this overview breaks down what the data actually shows.
The Districts That Stand Out
Suwanee and the North Gwinnett Corridor
If there's one part of Gwinnett County that consistently dominates the rankings, it's the northern corridor anchored by Suwanee. Level Creek Elementary School sits at the very top of the elementary rankings — 99th percentile in English, 99th in Math, and a perfect 100th in both Science and Overall. That's not just a strong school; that's one of the best-performing elementary schools in the state. Riverside Elementary, also in Suwanee, follows closely at 98th in English, 98th in Math, and 99th in Science for a 99th percentile overall ranking. Roberts Elementary rounds out Suwanee's impressive showing with 97th, 97th, and 99th percentile scores in English, Math, and Science respectively.
Suwanee has grown significantly over the past two decades, attracting professional families and benefiting from a community culture that places a high premium on education. The results show. At the high school level, North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee continues that strong performance with a 96th percentile in English and a 94th percentile overall — second in the county among high schools.
Lawrenceville and the Central Gwinnett Cluster
Lawrenceville, the county seat, might not have the same name recognition as Suwanee when it comes to school performance, but some of its schools are genuine standouts. Crews Middle School ranks second among Gwinnett middle schools with a 95th percentile in English, 90th in Math, and a remarkable 100th percentile in Science — giving it a 98th percentile overall ranking. Five Forks Middle School, also in Lawrenceville, earned a 95th percentile overall with a perfect 100th percentile in Science as well.
These are schools worth paying attention to, especially for families who prioritize STEM-leaning academics. The Science scores in particular suggest strong curriculum and instruction in the middle grades, which can make a meaningful difference in how students are prepared for high school coursework.
Buford: A Smaller District with Big Results
Buford deserves its own conversation because it operates under the Buford City school system — a separate, smaller district that functions independently from Gwinnett County Schools. Buford High School leads all high schools in the area with a 95th percentile overall ranking, including 92nd in English, 96th in Math, and 95th in Science. For a city school system in a relatively small community, those numbers are exceptional.
Buford City Schools has long maintained a reputation for strong academics and community involvement, and the data confirms it. Families who specifically seek out the Buford district often do so because of this track record. If you're looking at homes in the Buford area, understanding which district boundary you fall into — Buford City or Gwinnett County — is genuinely important.
Schools Worth Knowing About
Level Creek Elementary — A Perfect Score Is Rare
Level Creek Elementary in Suwanee earned a 100th percentile overall ranking, which is as high as the scale goes. A score like that isn't just good — it's exceptional by any measure. When a school hits the 100th percentile in Science and tops out overall, it's doing something right consistently, not just in one strong year. Families in the Level Creek attendance zone have something genuinely special on their hands.
Crews Middle School — Science at the Top of the Chart
A 100th percentile in Science at the middle school level is worth flagging. Crews Middle School in Lawrenceville achieved exactly that, alongside a 95th percentile in English and 90th in Math. For students who show an early aptitude for science or who aspire to competitive high school STEM programs, feeding into a school with this kind of track record in the middle grades matters more than many parents realize.
Twin Rivers Middle School — A Hidden Gem in Buford
Twin Rivers Middle School in Buford doesn't always make the first conversation about top Gwinnett schools, but it probably should. With a 90th percentile in both English and Math, and a 100th percentile in Science, its 96th percentile overall ranking puts it firmly in the top tier of middle schools. It's the kind of school that flies a little under the radar while quietly delivering results that rival the most talked-about campuses in the county.
Mill Creek High School — Solid All Around in Hoschton
Mill Creek High School in Hoschton represents a well-rounded option at the high school level, sitting at an 89th percentile overall with strong consistency across English (89th), Math (83rd), and Science (91st). For a large comprehensive high school, those numbers reflect real institutional strength. It's a school worth considering for families in the northeastern part of the county who want a proven, high-performing environment without necessarily being in the most competitive attendance zones.
How We Rank Schools
The School Advocate ranks schools using state assessment data across three subjects: English, Math, and Science. English accounts for 40% of a school's overall score, Math accounts for another 40%, and Science makes up the remaining 20%. Scores are calculated as percentile rankings, meaning a school ranked at the 95th percentile is outperforming 95% of comparable schools statewide.
To ensure rankings reflect current performance rather than outdated results, more recent school years are weighted more heavily than older ones. This approach rewards schools that are trending upward and gives families a more accurate picture of where a school stands today — not where it stood three or four years ago.
Compare Schools Yourself
Rankings give you a starting point, but every family's priorities are different. The School Advocate's school comparison tool at /compare lets you put specific schools side by side and see exactly how they differ across English, Math, and Science performance. Whether you're deciding between two elementary schools in Suwanee or trying to weigh high school options across the county, the comparison tool makes it easy to look at the data that matters most to your family.
Top Elementary Schools
| Rank | School | District | City | English | Math | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Level Creek Elementary School | Gwinnett County | Suwanee | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| 2 | Riverside Elementary School | Gwinnett County | Suwanee | 98 | 98 | 99 |
| 3 | Simpson Elementary School | Gwinnett County | Peachtree Corners | 98 | 96 | 98 |
| 4 | Roberts Elementary School | Gwinnett County | Suwanee | 97 | 97 | 98 |
| 5 | Suwanee Elementary School | Gwinnett County | Suwanee | 96 | 94 | 96 |
| 6 | Puckett's Mill Elementary School | Gwinnett County | Dacula | 93 | 92 | 94 |
| 7 | Ivy Creek Elementary School | Gwinnett County | Buford | 91 | 92 | 94 |
| 8 | Head Elementary School | Gwinnett County | Lilburn | 92 | 92 | 94 |
| 9 | Buford Academy | Buford City | Buford | 93 | 92 | 93 |
| 10 | Craig Elementary School | Gwinnett County | Lawrenceville | 94 | 87 | 92 |
Top Middle Schools
| Rank | School | District | City | English | Math | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Gwinnett Middle School | Gwinnett County | Sugar Hill | 99 | 81 | 98 |
| 2 | Crews Middle School | Gwinnett County | Lawrenceville | 95 | 90 | 98 |
| 3 | Twin Rivers Middle School | Gwinnett County | Buford | 90 | 90 | 96 |
| 4 | Bay Creek Middle School | Gwinnett County | Grayson | 90 | 88 | 96 |
| 5 | Five Forks Middle School | Gwinnett County | Lawrenceville | 91 | 85 | 95 |
| 6 | Buford Middle School | Buford City | Buford | 91 | 85 | 95 |
| 7 | Osborne Middle School | Gwinnett County | Hoschton | 94 | 90 | 95 |
| 8 | Couch Middle School | Gwinnett County | Grayson | 87 | 89 | 94 |
| 9 | Jones Middle School | Gwinnett County | Buford | 91 | 87 | 93 |
| 10 | Lanier Middle School | Gwinnett County | Sugar Hill | 88 | 87 | 91 |
Top High Schools
| Rank | School | District | City | English | Math | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buford High School | Buford City | Buford | 92 | 96 | 95 |
| 2 | North Gwinnett High School | Gwinnett County | Suwanee | 96 | 87 | 94 |
| 3 | Mill Creek High School | Gwinnett County | Hoschton | 89 | 83 | 89 |
| 4 | Brookwood High School | Gwinnett County | Snellville | 87 | 83 | 87 |
| 5 | Parkview High School | Gwinnett County | Lilburn | 81 | 90 | 86 |
| 6 | Seckinger High School | Gwinnett County | Buford | 83 | 86 | 86 |
| 7 | Paul Duke STEM High School | Gwinnett County | Norcross | 84 | 79 | 84 |
| 8 | Grayson High School | Gwinnett County | Loganville | 81 | 78 | 81 |
| 9 | Archer High School | Gwinnett County | Lawrenceville | 81 | 77 | 78 |
| 10 | Lanier High School | Gwinnett County | Sugar Hill | 79 | 65 | 77 |