Press Release  Massachusetts Ranked Best Public Schools in the Country

Boston — Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll are celebrating that Massachusetts was recently ranked the best state school system in the country, citing the highest math and reading scores in the country and the general safety throughout Massachusetts schools. WalletHub compared state dynamics across 32 relevant metrics, including high school graduation rates, math test scores, reading test scores and overall safety.  

Massachusetts was particularly praised for having the highest share of students in the country who received a score of three or higher on an AP exam, as well as ranking first in the nation in all core academic subjects this year. Additionally, Massachusetts was praised for the general safety of its schools.  

“Massachusetts is home to America’s first public school and has always led the way when it comes to providing our students with the best education,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This recognition is a testament to the students, teachers, parents and staff who have invested their time and energy to help our schools succeed all across Massachusetts.” 

“As a former chair of the Salem school committee, I know firsthand what it takes to make sure our students are getting the resources they need to thrive,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “I am happy to see Massachusetts continue set an example on how to best support our students.”

“In Massachusetts, we are proud to support our public schools, educators and students because every student deserves a high-quality education – regardless of circumstance or zip code,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “We have made incredible progress in the last two and a half years, investing in record K-12 education funding, creating a nation-leading early literacy strategy and making universal school meals permanent. We’re going to continue to build on these efforts to help all students realize their dreams.”

“Massachusetts students benefit from wonderful educators and a steadfast commitment to investing in schools,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “This ranking is a point of pride, and we will continue to improve schools for all students.”

From day one, Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll have prioritized ensuring a high-quality education for students in Massachusetts, including: 
 

• Making universal free school meals permanent to provide cost free breakfast and lunch to students in Massachusetts, which has led to significant increases in participation and improvements in quality and locally sourced meals. 
• Investing the highest funding amount ever into the state’s public schools, including for FY 2026, $7.36 billion for local education aid, $675 million for special education and $140.6 million for education transportation.
• Prioritizing early literacy and ensuring access to high-quality, evidence-based reading instruction through the creation of Literacy Launch: Reading Success from Age 3 through Grade 3 and a new $25.6 million investment in high dosage tutoring that will prioritize first graders.
• Focusing on reimagining high school and investing $100 million to expand Career Technical Education program seats at high schools, adding 34 new early college partnerships and expanding Innovation Career Pathways to 82 more high schools, adding 132 additional workforce related pathways for students.  
• Subsidizing 57,552 AP exams for low-income students over the past two years, supporting continued gains of Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino students who take an AP exam, as well as last year seeing the state’s highest percentage ever of Massachusetts students scoring a 3 or higher on an AP exam and the highest in the nation for the second year in a row.
• Releasing joint guidance with the Attorney General’s Office on affirmative steps school districts can take to create school environments that are safe and inclusive for all students and prevent hate and bias incidents from occurring.
• Developing an early education through higher education mental health framework to inform a statewide strategy for mental and behavioral health supports through the public education and licensed child care system.

Massachusetts has also recently been ranked the best state economy, most improved state for business, safest state, most environmentally-friendly state, number one state for innovation, health care, working moms and dads, and women, as well as the best state to live in, to have a baby, raise a family and retire. 

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