From close-knit communities to safety to beautiful outdoor spaces, Massachusetts offers families a wonderful environment to raise kids. But a new study from WalletHub reveals that Massachusetts is also home to the best school systems in the United States.

Using metrics like performance, funding, safety, class size and instructor credentials, the finance company ranked the 50 states and Washington, D.C., to determine the top-performing school systems in America. Massachusetts came out on top, ranking first for quality and second for safety.

The Bay State ranked best in the nation for both math test scores and reading test scores. Building on these educational foundations, the Massachusetts school system also set students up for success in higher education. Massachusetts boasted the highest share of students who received a score of 3 or better on AP exams for high school classes with college-level work that are scored on a scale of 1-5.

Second only to Delaware for safety, Massachusetts had the fifth-lowest share of students who report being threatened or injured with a weapon on school property, the third-lowest share who had been in a physical fight at school and the fourth-lowest share who reported illegal drugs on campus.

Massachusetts had the fourth-lowest dropout rate and sixth-best pupil-teacher ratio, pointing to the high quality of education Bay State students enjoy.

“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,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said. “In addition, schools need to focus not just on test scores but also on making sure that students feel safe, comfortable and cared for.”