Vermont ranks Number 4 nationally for best schools

Per MSN

States With the Best (and Worst) Schools

No. 4 Best: Vermont

> Overall grade: B

> State Score: 83.0

> Per pupil spending: $18,882 (the highest)

> High school graduation rate: 93.0% (the highest)

> Eighth graders proficient in math or reading: 46.9% (4th highest)

On average, Vermont school districts spent nearly $19,000 per pupil In 2012, more than in any other state. The state seems to prioritize education more than most, as Vermont spent more than 5% of its state GDP on education, also the most nationwide. While large budgets do not necessarily yield strong outcomes, Vermont students performed better than most of their peers in other states on national tests. Nearly 47% of eighth graders were proficient in mathematics, for example, a higher proportion than in all but three other states. The state also had the nation’s highest four-year high school graduation rate, at 93% in 2012.


Comment: Just to put things in perspective, Vermont ranks 18th in per capita income at just under $30,000. The 18th ranked state in education spending per pupil according to 2011 data spent $11,223.