HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaiʻi has been ranked No. 42 out of 51 in a new 2025 report on the best and worst school systems in the United States. The study reviewed 32 education metrics across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The only states ranked lower were Alabama, Louisiana, West Virginia, Nevada, Oregon, Arizona, Alaska, Oklahoma and New Mexico.
The study measured overall quality and safety. Hawaiʻi ranked #41 for school quality and #40 for safety.
Let’s take a look at what the report found about Hawaii’s schools.
1. Falling behind in key performance areas
Hawaiʻi did not place in the top five in any academic or college-readiness categories. It also did not appear in the lowest five for dropout rate, test scores or SAT/ACT results. But the state’s rankings across the board suggest limited strength in key performance areas.
Hawaiʻi’s middle-range performance in those areas suggests consistency, but not excellence.
According to the report, high-performing states such as Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey consistently ranked in the top five for both quality and safety.
“Getting enough funding is essential for a productive school system, but simply having more money doesn’t guarantee success,” said Chip Lupo, an analyst from the. “How funds are applied also plays a big role in how good a school system is, as does the quality of educators, other professionals and the curriculum. In addition, schools need to focus not just on test scores but also on making sure that students feel safe, comfortable and cared for.”
2. Some positive signs in school safety
While Hawaiʻi scored low overall, it ranked No. 3 in lowest bullying incidence. Only the District of Columbia and Delaware ranked higher.
That puts the state ahead of many others in creating a safer classroom environment that allows students to focus on learning rather than the unnecessary drama related to bullying.
3. The national picture
Massachusetts led all states in overall performance, placing first in both quality and math and reading test scores. At the bottom, New Mexico ranked No. 51 in quality, safety and college readiness.
Across the country, the differences in student outcomes were sharp. The report noted a threefold gap in dropout rates between the best and worst states.
Public education across the U.S. relies mostly on state and local funding. That can lead to large differences in school quality from one state to another. The report also noted that these gaps are often tied to how much residents pay in taxes and how school funds are used.
4. What the numbers show
Hawaiʻi’s placement near the bottom of the national list highlights challenges in both academic quality and student safety. It scored lower than neighboring western states like California (#30) and Washington (#20) and trailed behind every New England state.
The data does not explain causes, but the numbers suggest Hawaiʻi’s public education system continues to face significant obstacles in performance and safety despite strengths in some areas, such as lower bullying rates.
You can click here to read the full report.
For most families in Hawaiʻi, public school is the only available option; so, this ranking puts a spotlight on how much more needs to be done.
While Hawaiʻi’s education system shows strength in some areas of safety, its overall performance ranked near the bottom and highlights major challenges in academic quality and support.