What States Have the Best School Systems?

When you’re planning a big move ‒ especially with a family ‒ there's more to consider than just square footage and curb appeal. In addition to the size of their home, parents also need to take into account the quality of local public schools. Whether you’re relocating for work, family, or lifestyle, where you choose to live plays a role in your child’s academic success ‒ giving them access to funding, resources, and programs to develop their talents. But what states have the best school systems? This guide breaks down the leading contenders, based on funding, safety, test scores, dropout rates, and student-teacher ratios, in order to help you choose a state that will provide for your child’s education.

Massachusetts

The Massachusetts school system is generally considered the best in the nation. It not only surpasses other states on nearly every metric for K-12 performance. Its focus on career and college preparation has led to widespread student success, and the state is frequently cited as a benchmark for:

• Funding. Massachusetts invests heavily in public schools. Though the exact level of funding varies from district to district, the state spends roughly $20,000 per pupil, substantially more than the national average of $14,000.
• School Safety. Violent incidents are rare in Massachusetts public schools. Collaboration with parents, police, and community leaders protects students during class, while strong anti-bullying initiatives teach educators how to intervene when necessary. At the same time, the state’s focus on social-emotional learning teaches children how to manage feelings, build relationships, and settle conflicts peacefully ‒ laying the groundwork for a calm, inclusive environment.
• Test Scores. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), often referred to as “the nation’s report card,” Massachusetts is number one in both 4th and 8th grade math and reading. In addition, the state’s ACT and SAT scores are among the highest in the nation. A large number of students also participate in its Advanced Placement (AP) programs, with almost a third scoring a three or higher on at least one exam, indicating college-level proficiency in their subject.
• Dropout Rates. Thanks to strong retention strategies and academic support programs, Massachusetts’s dropout rate is only 3.4 percent, significantly below the national average of 5.2.
• Student-Teacher Ratio. With approximately twelve students to every teacher, schoolchildren in Massachusetts receive considerably more focused and tailored instruction than their peers outside the commonwealth. (The average American school has a student-teacher ratio of fifteen or sixteen to one.)

Connecticut

Normally ranked just below Massachusetts, Connecticut has one of the most widely respected K-12 programs in the country. Its education system often exceeds national standards for:

• School Funding. Depending on which district you live in, Connecticut spends $22,000-$24,000 per student, making it one of the top five systems in terms of student investment.
• Safety. Connecticut students feel safe in classrooms, hallways, bathrooms, and cafeterias, thanks partially to the state’s Safe School Climate Act, which requires schools to create plans to prevent bullying and violence. Since the Sandy Hook tragedy, the state has also added security features such as surveillance cameras, visitor protocols, locked doors, trained officers, and sophisticated alert systems to protect students.
• Academic Achievement. Connecticut students score just behind Massachusetts on 4th and 8th grade math and reading. Enrollment in AP programs is consistently high, with almost thirty percent (29.5) of participating students scoring a 3 or higher on their final exams. The state's SAT scores are also above average, allowing a large number of students to enter the college or university of their choice.
• Dropout Rates. With a dropout rate of five percent, Connecticut schools outperform the national average, though just barely. However, the rate has been decreasing thanks to prevention programs in its larger cities, like Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport.
• Class Size. Thanks to a combination of policies and funding decisions, Connecticut has one of the lowest student-teacher ratios in the country. With an average of twelve students per class, parents can be confident their children will receive the instruction and guidance they need to excel.

New Jersey

New Jersey has one of the most comprehensive, equitable, and well-rounded public education systems in the country. For parents looking for quality education, New Jersey offers one of the best academic environments in the United States, thanks to:

• Robust State Funding. In order to ensure the best possible outcomes for its diverse student body, New Jersey’s school funding formula calculates how much each community can raise through property taxes. If there’s a shortfall, it makes up the difference by redirecting money from other areas , which is how the state is able to spend $21,000-$25,000 per pupil.
• Enhanced Safety Efforts. Every school in New Jersey is required to have a comprehensive security plan in order to identify potential threats and prevent violent incidents. In 2011, the state passed the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act, designed to foster a safe and respectful environment in schools and at school-sponsored events. Its efforts have reduced fights, intimidation, and verbal confrontations in classrooms and during extracurricular activities.
• Exceptional Academic Performance. New Jersey often scores in the top three in math and reading. Targeted funding ensures that disadvantaged students receive the same level of support as children in more affluent districts. As a result, the state has one of the smallest performance gaps between black and white students.
• Low Dropout Rates. Only 2.5 percent of New Jersey students drop out of high school, primarily due to the state’s strong support for education, which provides additional help for at-risk children. Its career readiness programs have also helped make education more relevant for underperforming students, teaching them practical, real-world skills they can use to build careers outside of the classroom.
• Small Class Sizes. Like Massachusetts and Connecticut, New Jersey strives to maintain low student-teacher ratios. The average classroom has twelve students for every teacher, ensuring better behavior management and learning experiences.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire has some of the safest, most well-balanced, and highest performing schools in the country. Families looking for high-quality education in a smaller setting, with more emphasis on local control, love the opportunities provided by the state’s education system, as well as its:

• Generous Funding. New Hampshire spends $18,000 - $21,000 per student, well above the national average of $14,000. While the level of funding varies between communities, overall the state ensures that each school has enough resources to fulfill its mission.
• Safety Focus. Besides installing upgraded security features (cameras, alarms, access controls, etc.), New Hampshire also has strict disciplinary policies designed to protect students from harassment and cyberbullying. In addition to promoting respectful behavior, teachers collaborate with parents, pupils, and administrators to resolve conflicts and achieve the best possible outcome for everyone involved.
• Strong Test Results. Investment in early literacy programs, as well as math and reading specialists, has fostered academic achievement across the state. New Hampshire regularly scores in the top five for math and reading. Students show clear proficiency in both elementary and middle school and many go on to participate in the state’s AP programs. In 2023, over seventy percent of AP students scored a three, four, or five on their final exam, indicating an ability to perform at the college level.
• Low Departure Rate. In 2009, New Hampshire increased the age of compulsory education from sixteen to eighteen, ensuring children remained in school longer. This, combined with its alternate education initiatives, which tutor at-risk youth, has kept the state’s dropout rate extremely low ‒ only two percent!
• Teacher Ratios. With an average class size of twelve pupils, New Hampshire ensures that students remain engaged throughout their academic career, able to ask questions and receive personal instruction on difficult subjects.

Virginia

The Virginia school system provides a rigorous academic curriculum, making it a great choice for parents looking for quality schools without the high cost of living in Massachusetts, Connecticut, or New Jersey. Though not as well regarded as its counterparts in the Northeast, Virginia regularly outdoes the majority of other states when it comes to:

• Funding. Virginia invests strategically, funneling money to high-growth areas in order to close equity gaps and support students, regardless of their background. The state spends an average of $15,000 per child, slightly above the national average.
• School Safety. Besides training teachers in anti-bullying tactics, Virginia has implemented clear, simple reporting procedures for students, staff, and families ‒ ensuring that all incidents are documented and addressed within 5 days. Safety drills and early threat detection systems protect students from intruders, creating a secure learning environment.
• Test Results. According to the NEAP, Virginia students routinely score above average in math and reading. They also score well on the SAT and ACT, and attend college in larger numbers than students in other parts of the country. Participation in AP programs is also high, particularly in northern communities like Fairfax, Loudoun, and Arlington.
• Student Attrition. The state’s focus on early intervention helps teachers identify at-risk students and has kept the state’s dropout rate relatively low (4.8 percent). Additional programs aimed at homeless youth, English language learners, and economically disadvantaged students have led to high graduation rates across the state’s urban, suburban, and rural districts.
• Classroom Ratio. In order to make sure pupils receive adequate instruction, Virginia keeps class sizes small. With fourteen kids per class, it fosters stronger student-teacher bonds, ensures plenty of individual instruction, and allows children to learn at their own pace.

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