Public schools in the Bay State were named among the best in the nation in a new report released Monday.
Massachusetts ranked No. 1 overall as the state with the best school system, according to WalletHub. The report compared all 50 states and Washington, D.C. across 32 metrics tied to public K-12 education, including quality and safety.
Massachusetts ranked No. 1 overall with a total score of 74.74 out of 100, ahead of Connecticut (No. 2), New Jersey (No. 3), New Hampshire (No. 4) and Wisconsin (No. 5).
It also ranked No. 1 for quality and No. 2 for safety, according to WalletHub.
State officials credited the ranking to students, educators, school staff and families.
"Our administration is proud to support them with historic investments in education, stronger literacy instruction, and programs like universal free school meals that help every student succeed," Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement sent to Patch. "We'll keep doing everything we can to ensure Massachusetts remains the best place in America to get an education."
WalletHub cited Massachusetts’ test scores as a major factor in the state’s No. 1 ranking.
Massachusetts ranked first in the nation on student math and reading assessments in National Assessment of Educational Progress results released last year, GBH reported. The NAEP tests are administered every two years to fourth- and eighth-graders across the country.
The results showed Massachusetts students led the nation in fourth and eighth grade math and reading, though overall average scores remained below pre-pandemic levels, according to GBH.
Massachusetts also led the country in Advanced Placement performance. About 35.8 percent of Massachusetts public high school graduates in the class of 2025 scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP exam during high school, compared with 24.8 percent nationally, according to the College Board.
AP exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with many colleges offering credit or placement for scores of 3 or higher.
Massachusetts also ranked near the top of the country for school safety.
WalletHub said Massachusetts had the fifth-lowest share of students who reported being threatened or injured with a weapon on school property. The state also had the third-lowest share of students who reported being in a physical fight at school and the fourth-lowest share who reported illegal drugs being available on school property.
Although Massachusetts ranked first overall, state education leaders have said schools are still working to recover from the pandemic's effects and to close achievement gaps.
In his 2026 State of Education Address, Massachusetts Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler said many parts of the education system have regained stability and are showing signs of recovery.
"While our work is far from finished, I'm proud to report that many of our education sectors have regained stability, are showing meaningful recovery, and in some cases, are moving forward in new and innovative ways because of historic investments from the administration and our partners in the Legislature," Tutwiler said.
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