If Wyoming isn’t among the first states you think of for a top-notch education you’ll need to think again. Recent analysis shows that not only is it among the states with the best schools in the nation, but it’s the only state completely west of the Mississippi that landed in the top 10.
So, what makes Wyoming schools so great? Community involvement and low student to teacher ratios for starters. When education is a priority for everyone, it shows in civic support and public school spending, and the students are the ones who benefit.
Wyoming is known for a lot of things, but education isn't necessarily one of them.
Entire towns turn out for rallies, school sporting events, and ground-breaking ceremonies. When practically everyone gets involved in almost every aspect, schools and students reap the rewards.
Another awesome thing about Wyoming schools is the low student to teacher ratios. Even in the biggest schools, it's only around 15:1 - and it's lower than that throughout most of the state.
The overall national average recently surged to 83 percent, but Wyoming students are hanging in there, collecting their diplomas and going on to earn at least a bachelor's degree and earning at or above the national median income.
More students in Wyoming than in most other states are hitting critical achievement goals, too.
While the national average for math and reading proficiency is 32.1 percent and 34.8 percent in that order, 35.3 percent of students in the Cowboy State competently ace math exams and 41.2 percent excel in reading.
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And who's to say the environment doesn't play a part, too? Who wouldn't benefit intellectually with gorgeous wilderness like this in your backyard?