KENNEWICK — Washington has been ranked the safest state for high school students in 2023, according to a recently published study from Scholaroo, a resource site for high school students.
Rankings were calculated based on 11 safety metrics, which all contributed to an overall score out of 100. States were ranked in order of their total score.
The study evaluated the following safety metrics at:
Regular weight:
- Bullying
- Cyberbullying
- Exposure to illegal drugs
- Forced sexual intercourse
- Weapon carried at school
- Threats of physical attack with a weapon
Half weight:
- Feeling safe at school
- School safety plans
- School resource officers
Double weight:
- Physical fights on school property
Triple weight:
“Prioritizing safety is of paramount importance for high school students as they navigate through their educational journey,” states the Scholaroo study introduction. “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.”
The study found that Washington had the greatest overall safety score of all U.S. states. The Evergreen State is followed in the top five by:
- Delaware
- Kentucky
- Oklahoma
- New Jersey
The five lowest ranked states are:
- Texas
- Pennsylvania
- North Carolina
- Louisiana
- Georgia
Across the 11 safety metrics, here’s how Washington ranked:
- Bullying: 26
- Cyberbullying: 21
- Exposure to illegal drugs: 9
- Feeling safe at school: 45
- School shootings: 36
- School resource officers: 5
- Forced sexual intercourse: 1
- Weapons carried at school: 14
- Threats of physical attack with a weapon: 1
- Physical attack or fight with a weapon: 3
There were only two rankings for School Safety Plans, 1 and 45. Washington was one of over half the states to be ranked 1 in any category.
