New Jersey Ranks 3rd in Nation for School Quality in WalletHub’s 2025 Best & Worst School Systems Report

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, as reading scores decline nationwide and math gains remain uneven amid conflicting priorities, WalletHub has released its 2025 ranking of the Best & Worst School Systems in the U.S., comparing all 50 states plus the District of Columbia.

The study evaluated 32 key metrics covering quality and safety, including pupil-teacher ratios, dropout rates, standardized test scores, and bullying incidence rates.

📊 New Jersey’s School System Scores Big in 2025

New Jersey continues to be a national leader in education, ranking 3rd overall for quality and safety of its schools. Here’s how the Garden State performed:

✅ 5th – Math Test Scores
✅ 2nd – Reading Test Scores
✅ 7th – Pupil-Teacher Ratio
✅ 14th – Median ACT Score
✅ 25th – % of Licensed/Certified K–12 Teachers
✅ 21st – Bullying Incidence Rate
✅ 16th – % of Threatened/Injured High School Students
✅ 1st – Existence of a Digital Learning Plan

This ranking places New Jersey ahead of most U.S. states, reflecting strong reading and math outcomes and a commitment to digital learning initiatives.

🏆 Who Took the Top Spot?

Massachusetts came in #1, boasting the nation’s highest math and reading scores, a strong AP exam performance rate, and some of the lowest reports of bullying and drug availability in schools.

💬 What the Experts Are Saying

“Getting enough funding is essential for a productive school system, but simply having more money doesn’t guarantee success. How funds are applied also plays a big role in how good a school system is, as does the quality of educators and the curriculum,” said Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst.

Education experts agree that while per-pupil spending matters, strategic allocation of resources—such as investing in teacher quality, technology, and targeted learning interventions—has the greatest impact on student outcomes.

They also emphasize that community support, safe neighborhoods, and stable family environments remain critical factors in setting children up for success alongside school quality.

📍 What This Means for New Jersey Families

With top-tier reading scores and a strong focus on technology and safety, New Jersey parents can feel confident about the overall quality of the state’s school system. However, experts urge continued investments in teacher training, innovation, and targeted support for vulnerable student populations to maintain and improve these rankings.

For the full WalletHub report, visit:
🔗 WalletHub’s States with the Best Schools 2025

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