Stonington -- Both Stonington Middle School and Deans Mill School have been ranked among the top 30% of schools in the state in US News and World's Report's first rankings of elementary and middle schools.

The schools were named a "U.S. News Best Middle School" and "U.S. News Best Elementary School." 

US News & World Report uses proficiency in math and reading on state assessments as the main criteria for the elementary school rankings.

In the magazine's ranking of more than 600 elementary schools across the state. Deans Mill School ranked 64th overall. It ranked 85th in reading proficiency and 66th in math proficiency.

The magazine used data such as state test scores, certification and experience of teachers, student-teacher ratio and the number of school counselors in its rankings of 288 middle schools in Connecticut. 

The middle school ranked 42nd, the highest in the region, and 34th in both reading and math proficiency.