The High School That Scores the Best in Math and Reading in Every State

What subject did you excel at during high school? What subject was the bane of your existence? For me, math was my arch nemesis and English was my best friend! I was fortunate to go to a high school with a solid reputation, mostly due to my parents doing research on the school district’s quality of education when choosing a place to live. So how is the quality of a high school measured? Of course, there are countless factors that go into how good a school is that can be impossible to quantify. One concrete way to measure the quality of a school are test scores. The team at U.S. Career Institute explored math and reading proficiency scores across the nation to determine the best high school in every state. Check it out:

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These math proficiency scores make me feel extra humble about my struggles with math! However, the best school in West Virginia has a math score of 48%, so I don’t feel so bad. All kidding aside, standardized testing does not provide a complete picture of what a school has to offer; it ignores the developmental and experiential differences a student may have, or the school’s focus on creativity and self-expression. Taking tests can be an overwhelming experience for some, and it may not accurately reflect their knowledge and potential for success. Regardless, test scores are still a valuable tool for gauging the caliber of education a student might receive through attendance.

From a design perspective, I love the choice of colors, they are ideal for an education-focused visualization without being cliché or overdone. The graphs are a compelling way to convey the data, making it easy to compare the math and reading proficiency scores of each state. I do wish there were photos of each school, but I appreciate the minimalist approach that focuses on the numbers efficiently.