The Big Picture Shows Connecticut Rising to the Top
When you think about educational excellence in America, Connecticut definitely deserves a spot on your radar. Connecticut ranks second in the nation for public schools, ranking second for quality and 19th for safety. That’s not just impressive – it’s downright amazing when you consider how competitive the field is. Connecticut excelled in its educational ranking, coming in third after Massachusetts and New Jersey according to the 2025 Kids Count report. Think about it like this: if states were students in a massive classroom, Connecticut would be the kid consistently raising their hand with the right answers. The numbers don’t lie, and they paint a picture of a state that’s seriously committed to giving kids the best shot at success.
Money Talks and Connecticut Speaks Loudly
Connecticut spends about $18,958 per student, one of the highest per-pupil costs in the country. But here’s where it gets really interesting – K-12 schools spend $25,023 per pupil for a total of $12.9 billion annually according to more recent data. The states spending the most per pupil were New York ($29,873), the District of Columbia ($27,425), New Jersey ($25,099), Vermont ($24,608), and Connecticut ($24,453). That puts Connecticut in fifth place nationally for spending – imagine if your parents invested that kind of money in your education! By 2022, this gap had grown substantially, with Connecticut spending $8,820 more per student than the national average. It’s like Connecticut decided to go all-in on education, and it’s paying off big time.
Teachers Are Getting Paid What They Deserve
Connecticut has the sixth highest average teacher salary in the nation with an average teacher salary of $86,511. When teachers are happy and well-compensated, students benefit – it’s that simple. Connecticut is also one of the best states for teachers due to having small class sizes and some of the best-paid teachers in the U.S. The average teacher salary in Connecticut is $83,400, ranking as the 6th highest in the nation, with the average starting salary for teachers in Connecticut at $48,784, placing it 13th highest in the country. Picture this: when you can attract top talent because you’re offering competitive wages, you’re setting up your students for success. It’s like building a championship sports team – you need to pay for quality players if you want to win.
Test Scores That Actually Matter
Connecticut students have the highest median ACT score of 25.5 and have the third-highest reading test scores. Now that’s something to brag about at the dinner table! While some areas need work, Math and science scores for all students improved from 47.7 to 48.9 and 61.4 to 61.6 respectively in recent reports. Sure, there are challenges – Connecticut saw a decline in its English test scores, averaging around 63.9, down from 64.2 in 2021-22 and down from 67.7 in 2018-19, with the state’s target being a score of 75. But here’s the thing about Connecticut – they don’t just accept mediocrity. They identify problems and work to fix them, kind of like a mechanic who won’t stop until your car purrs like a kitten.
Graduation Rates Show Students Cross the Finish Line
Public schools in Connecticut achieve an average graduation rate of 90%, which is seriously impressive when you think about it. The public high school with the highest graduation rate in Connecticut is Daniel Hand High School, with a value of ≥99%. That’s like having a 99% success rate at anything you do – pretty amazing, right? However, there have been some recent challenges. The Department of Education released its annual accountability report, which showed a decline in graduation rates and the average percentage of growth in core subjects in the 2022-23 school year compared to the year prior. But Connecticut’s not throwing in the towel – they’re using this data to make improvements and get back on track.
Small Classes Mean Big Attention
One of Connecticut’s secret weapons is its approach to class sizes. Connecticut is also one of the best states for teachers due to having small class sizes and some of the best-paid teachers in the U.S. Think about when you’re in a huge lecture hall versus a small discussion group – which one lets you actually learn and participate? Connecticut gets this concept. Smaller classes mean teachers can actually know their students’ names, understand their learning styles, and give them the individual attention they need to succeed. It’s like having a personal trainer for your brain instead of being lost in a crowded gym. Connecticut ranks 4th in spending and in funding, and a big chunk of that investment goes toward maintaining these manageable class sizes that make real learning possible.
The State Rankings Don’t Lie
Connecticut ranks No. 15 overall among U.S. states based on 71 metrics across eight categories according to U.S. News rankings. But when it comes to education specifically, Education ranks #10 in their state rankings. Based on these metrics, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Jersey have the best public schools in the United States. It’s like being in the top tier of a really competitive league – you know you’re doing something right when you’re consistently mentioned alongside the best of the best. The results of the 2025 Kids Count report are in and Connecticut has maintained eighth place in the nation for the second year in a row, showing this isn’t just a fluke but sustained excellence.
Investment in Early Childhood Sets the Foundation
Connecticut is thinking long-term, and that starts with the littlest learners. Advocates, educators and lawmakers celebrated the final passage of a bill on Tuesday that intends to transform early childhood education by creating free infant and toddler care and free pre-K for scores of families, and will cap the cost of those supports at 7% of annual household income for families making more than $100,000. This is huge – imagine if every kid got a head start that didn’t bankrupt their parents! “Connecticut is now a national leader in creating a child care system that truly supports working families and boosts our state’s economy,” said Eva Bermúdez Zimmerman, director of Child Care for CT. It’s like planting seeds for a garden that won’t just benefit today’s families but will create a stronger foundation for years to come.
Health and Wellness Complete the Picture
The state earned high marks in two of the general areas analyzed in the report — education and health. Connecticut also received high marks for health compared to other states, ranking fifth nationwide. You can’t separate a kid’s ability to learn from their overall well-being – it’s all connected. When students are healthy, they can focus on their studies instead of worrying about basic needs. Connecticut gets this connection and invests in both areas. Think of it like maintaining a car – you can’t just focus on the engine and ignore the tires, brakes, and everything else that keeps the whole system running smoothly.
Challenges Keep Connecticut Hungry for Improvement
Even with all these successes, Connecticut isn’t resting on its laurels. All 12 of the state’s measures remain worse than the 2018-19 academic year, showing the lingering impact of the pandemic. Achievement still lacks pre-pandemic levels. Our growth slowed a little bit this past year, and that is something we’re watching and continuing to work on. On-track to high school graduation is at about the lowest levels we have seen in the system, and that is concerning, according to education officials. But here’s what I love about Connecticut – they’re not hiding from these problems or making excuses. They’re facing them head-on with data-driven solutions and continued investment. It’s like a coach who doesn’t sugarcoat a bad game but uses it as motivation to train harder for the next one.
Looking Forward with Realistic Optimism
Connecticut’s education system represents something pretty special – a state that puts its money where its mouth is when it comes to kids’ futures. Yes, there are challenges, and yes, there’s still work to be done. But with high per-pupil spending, well-compensated teachers, strong test scores, and innovative programs for early childhood education, Connecticut is building something sustainable. The purpose of the system is not to name and shame schools and make them feel bad as much as to really use the information as reflective information to make good decisions. The idea of the system is also for us at the state Department of Education to bring support and recognition. That’s the kind of attitude that creates lasting change – using data to improve, not to punish. When you combine serious financial investment with a commitment to continuous improvement, you get what Connecticut has: a top-tier education system that other states are trying to copy. What would your state look like if it followed Connecticut’s playbook?
