Where Are The Best And Safest Schools In America? How CT Ranks In New Report

CONNECTICUT — A new report has given Connecticut's school system very high marks.

Personal finance website WalletHub ranked the quality and safety of schools in Connecticut second overall in the nation, just behind neighboring Massachusetts.

The analysis crunched numbers from pupil-teacher ratio and dropout rate to median standardized-test scores and the bullying incidence rate.

Connecticut made top-of-class for both median ACT score and for its work with a digital learning plan.

Overall, WalletHub gauged the schools across 32 key measures of quality and safety.

Standout rankings for Connecticut included:

• 16th – Math Test Scores
• 5th – Reading Test Scores
• 8th – Pupil-Teacher Ratio
• 1st – Median ACT Score
• 8th – Percentage of Licensed/Certified Public K–12 Teachers
• 11th – Dropout Rate
• 10th – Bullying Incidence Rate
• 14th – Percentage of Threatened/Injured High School Students
• 1st – Existence of Digital Learning Plan

Around 6.6 percent of Connecticut public schools are in the top 700 public schools nationwide, the sixth-highest percentage in the country, according to WalletHub. The state also has the third-highest share of students who received a 3 or higher on an AP exam, and clocked in with the eighth-best pupil-to-teacher ratio in the country.

Related: These Are The Best Schools In CT: 2024 Rankings

Safety-wise, the Nutmeg State is notable for having s the lowest prevalence of illegal drugs on school property, the second-lowest youth incarceration rate and the sixth-lowest share of students who have carried any kind of weapon on school property.

States in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic region dominated the rankings, with Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Virginia and New Hampshire placing 1-5.

Of course, Connecticut is no slouch when it comes to property taxes, so is the state just getting what it's paid for?

Maybe, and maybe not.

"Per-pupil spending is a significant factor in explaining variation in school quality, but it is far from the only one," according to Jill Channing, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis at East Tennessee State University. "Research has shown that while increased funding can lead to better outcomes—particularly when invested in teacher quality, student support services, and updated instructional materials—it must be allocated strategically to make a meaningful difference." Channing suggested that governance structures, community engagement, and policy coherence also play substantial roles.

Here's the school system quality and safety rankings for all 50 states and the District of Columbia, according to WalletHub:

Related: These School Districts Have The Best Teachers In CT: New Report