These States Have The Best School Systems in The US, Study Says

When you picture your baby’s future, it’s only natural to dream of a place where they can truly grow and thrive. A big part of that? Schools. With private school tuition climbing out of reach for many families, finding great public school systems has never felt more important. And while quality can vary from one neighborhood to the next, some states consistently rise above the rest thanks to strong budgets, structured support and a focus on safety.

To help parents who are planning a move or looking to put down roots, personal finance site WalletHub recently ranked the best school systems across states in the US. The study scores and ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia using 32 key metrics, like test scores, teacher-student ratios and bullying rates. The result is a well-rounded snapshot that factors in performance, funding, safety, class size and instructor credentials.

The Top 10 States with The Best School Systems:

• Massachusetts
• Connecticut
• New Jersey
• Virginia
• New Hampshire
• Wisconsin
• Rhode Island
• Indiana
• Maryland
• New York

Massachusetts consistently comes out on top when it comes to family-friendliness and its school systems are no exception. The Bay State takes the top spot thanks to some of the best test scores in the nation and low incidence of school violence, drugs and bullying. Connecticut follows suit with the second highest test scores and low student-to-teacher ratios. New Jersey sits in third place thanks to its dedicated digital learning plan and high reading test scores.

If your state didn’t make it into the top ten or perhaps your district doesn’t offer the funding you’d like experts say not to stress too much. “The quality of the school is unquestionably important, but it interacts dynamically with other key factors in a child’s life,” Jill Channing, PhD, associate professor and associate director of the Center for Community College Leadership at East Tennessee State University shared. "Research from the Harvard Center on the Developing Child has shown that stable relationships, safe environments and opportunities for enrichment outside of school are equally critical. A high-quality school can buffer the effects of adverse experiences, but it cannot replace the support that comes from a stable home environment and a safe neighborhood.”

To see where your state ranks and for a more detailed breakdown of how each scored, check out the full online report.