Education

We’re No. 1: New ranking says Mass. schools are the best

The report compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 32 metrics.

Matthew J. Lee / The Boston Globe, File

July 24, 2024

1 minute to read

Massachusetts has the best schools in the country, according to a new report from WalletHub.

The report, comparing the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 32 metrics, accounted for performance, funding, safety, class size, and instructor credentials.

“Getting enough funding is essential for a productive school system, but simply having more money doesn’t guarantee success,” WalletHub Analyst Cassandra Happe said in a statement. “How funds are applied also plays a big role in how good a school system is, as does the quality of educators, other professionals and the curriculum.”

The other top-ranking states were Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, and Wisconsin. Massachusetts earned an overall score of 74.36 out of 100, compared to New Mexico, which scored the lowest at 27.92.

Source: WalletHub

The report found that Massachusetts has the highest overall math and reading test scores, and the highest share of students receiving a three or more on an Advanced Placement exam, scored on a scale of one to five.

WalletHub marked Massachusetts’ school safety as a strength, but noted that it fell short with its share of licensed public K-12 teachers.

“Schools need to focus not just on test scores but also on making sure that students feel safe, comfortable and cared for,” Happe wrote.