Washington State

Washington is safest state for U.S. high school students, according to new national study

Orting High School Spanish teacher and culture club advisor Mauricio Portillo talks with a student during a culture club meeting in his classroom after school, on May 8, 2023. Portillo’s goal is to create a safe space for underrepresented students.
Orting High School Spanish teacher and culture club advisor Mauricio Portillo talks with a student during a culture club meeting in his classroom after school, on May 8, 2023. Portillo’s goal is to create a safe space for underrepresented students. Cheyenne Boone Cheyenne Boone/The News Tribune

Washington state 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:

  • School shootings

“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.”

Special education paraeducator Nan Duncan recently helps Richland High student George Murray with a classroom assignment in one of his general education classes. She has spent the past 34 years supporting Richland students receiving special education services and Richland School District leaders have nominated her for state Classified School Employee of the Year.
Special education paraeducator Nan Duncan recently helps Richland High student George Murray with a classroom assignment in one of his general education classes. She has spent the past 34 years supporting Richland students receiving special education services and Richland School District leaders have nominated her for state Classified School Employee of the Year. Bob Brawdy bbrawdy@tricityherald.com

WA high schools ranked safest

The study found that Washington state 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.

This story was originally published October 11, 2023 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Washington is safest state for U.S. high school students, according to new national study."

KV
Karlee Van De Venter
Tri-City Herald
509-416-6035
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