Prioritizing safety is of paramount importance for high school students as they navigate through their educational journey. Ensuring a secure environment not only fosters a conducive atmosphere for learning but also allows young individuals to focus on their studies and personal growth without unnecessary concerns.
Recognizing the significance of this matter, Scholaroo undertook a comprehensive analysis to unveil the safest states for high school students in the United States. Through an examination of various safety parameters, including crime rates and school security measures Scholaroo aimed to provide students and their families with valuable insights to aid them in making informed decisions regarding their educational pursuits and well-being.
To reveal the rankings of every state within specific categories, just interact with the map provided below!
Overall ranking
To view the state’s ranking in various metrics, scroll right. To explore other states, scroll down. Or you can type your state’s name in the search box below.
Category Breakdown
Methodology
In order to determine what are the Safest States for High School Students in the USA, Scholaroo compared the 50 states on crime and school safety indicators.
We evaluated those dimensions using 11 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 being the max.
Finally, we determined each state’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample.
Crime & Safety: (100 Points)
Bullying: Regular Weight (8 points)
The percentage of students that were bullied 1-2 times in the past 12 months on school property.
Cyberbullying: Regular Weight (8 points)
The percentage of students that were electronically bullied (counting being bullied through texting, Instagram, Facebook, or other social media).
Exposure to Illegal Drugs: Regular Weight (8 points)
The percentage of students that were Offered, Sold, Or Given An Illegal Drug On School Property.
Feel Safe at School: Half Weight (4 points)
Percentage of students that feel safe at school.
School Shootings: Triple Weight (24 points)
Incidents of gunfire on school grounds for the last 10 years.
School Safety Plans: Half Weight (4 points)
If the state has statutes and regulations that require schools to create and adopt school safety or emergency response plans.
School Resource Officers: Half Weight (4 points)
The number of state statutes and regulations related to school resource officers and their required certification and training requirements.
Forced Sexual Intercourse: Regular Weight (8 points)
The percentage of students that were ever physically forced to have sexual intercourse (when they did not want to).
Weapon Carried at School: Regular Weight (8 points)
The percentage of students that carried a weapon on school property (such as a gun, knife, or club).
Threats of physical attack with a weapon: Regular Weight (8 points)
The percentage of students that were threatened or injured with a weapon on school property (such as a gun, knife, or club).
Were in a physical fight on school property: Double Weight (16 points)
The percentage of students that were in a physical fight on school property.