Great schools.org has revealed their best cities to live and learn 2011, with the Mercer Island School District coming in at number two in American cities with the most consistently high performing schools.

Falmouth, Maine was ranked number one, Pella, Iowa third, Barrington, Rhode Island fourth and Bedford New Hampshire fifth.

The Web site says that what these communities have in common is families who consistently, and somewhat forcefully, support their local schools — come budget crisis or political battle.

This is evidenced by the $644,000 raised at Tuesday’s “Breakfast of Champions,” the Mercer Island School Foundation’s big annual fundraiser.

MISF board member Cliff Sharples said the “Bridge the Gap” campaign to raise $1.2 million for the district, is still $367,000 short. The breakfast earnings are part of “Bridge the Gap.”

An additional $367,000 in donations will bring the effort to $1 million, at which point large donors have pledged to add the other $200,000.