What Makes a School the “Right” Fit?
Choosing the right school for your child is one of the biggest decisions a parent can make. But what exactly does the “right” school mean? The answer looks a little different for every family – some prioritize academics, while others focus on safety, resources, or even class size. There’s a new report that might help take some of the guesswork out of the process.
WalletHub’s 2025 ranking of the Best and Worst School Systems in America offers a well-rounded look at education in all 50 states. Instead of focusing solely on academics or funding, this study dives deeper, evaluating everything from test scores and student-teacher ratios to school safety and teacher credentials.
How State School Systems Were Scored
The report breaks it down into two major categories:
- School Quality – includes things like math and reading test scores, SAT results, and dropout rates.
- School Safety – considers metrics like how many students feel unsafe at school, incidents of violence, and even school shootings.
Indiana’s Strong School Showing in 2025
Parents in the Hoosier State have a reason to celebrate, because Indiana once again has one of the best school systems in the country. For 2025, Indiana earned an 8th place overall ranking, while ranking 9th in quality and 12th in safety. That’s a solid showing and a comforting sign for parents raising school-age kiddos here.
Which School System is the Best in America?
Massachusetts once again landed in the top spot with the best school system in the country, and really isn’t even that close. Massachusetts earned the highest score in quality and the second highest for safety…