Which English-speaking country?
Each country decides public school places differently. Pick a country, then a state or region, then a district.
United States
Your home address decides the district and the assigned school. Ratings differ by state: Texas (TEA) grades A–F, California shows colour-coded indicators.
16 states/regions · 9,400 districts1,197 officially rated
Choose a state or regionSource U.S. Department of Education (NCELA) (Oct 2026) · Texas Education Agency (Oct 2026)
Canada
Provinces run the system and local school boards run the schools. Popular public schools have waiting lists, so families are told to register before the end of August.
2 states/regions · 130 districts
Choose a state or regionSource IRCC 'Welcome to Canada' (Newcomers Canada) (Apr 2021)
Australia
State governments run public schools. Children of temporary visa holders often pay fees (NSW Temporary Residents Program); rules differ by state.
2 states/regions · 209 districts
Choose a state or regionSource Productivity Commission (Australian Government) (Jun 2026) · NSW Department of Education (Oct 2026)
New Zealand
Domestic or international student status decides fees, and some parent visas make a child domestic. Ask the school whether it has an enrolment zone.
1 states/regions · 87 districts
Choose a state or regionSource Ministry of Education New Zealand (Oct 2026)
Start here for public schools in English-speaking countries
How to choose a public school
Address, district, zoned school, and options like charter or grammar
Enrolment steps
Documents, timing and English assessment by country and state
Compare districts
Official rating, enrolment and English-learner share side by side
Local-school parents work in a different order
International schools are chosen and applied to. With local public schools, where you live decides the school.
- 1
The address decides the school
A public school place follows your home's attendance zone. You do not apply and choose as with international schools.
Source Fairfax County Public Schools (Oct 2026)
- 2
Check the zoned school before the house
Before you sign, use the district's address lookup to see the assigned school. Boundaries can change.
Source Fairfax County Public Schools (Oct 2026)
- 3
Sources
School and district lists come from the NCES Common Core of Data; ratings from each state education agency. Every number carries its year. No house prices, crime data or home-made rankings.
Ask Sam about districts