BARRE, Vt. —Vermont is the brightest state in the country, according to a Kansas publisher.

“Vermont shines in many key areas of education,” said Scott Morgan, president of Morgan Quitno Press. “A high percentage of its students excel in reading, writing and math. In addition, schools in Vermont have smaller class sizes and lower pupil-teacher ratios than in most other states.”

The publisher compiled its yearly list of the smartest states measuring 21 factors.

Last year, Vermont ranked third, and second the year before.

Arizona was at the bottom of the list, below Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada and California.

The publisher also says Vermont is the healthiest state, the second safest and the third most livable.

That was nice to hear after seeing Fortune’s (I think that’s where it was, but I can’t find it) list showing Vermont as the #6 most unfriendly state when it comes to taxes – 6th highest ratio of taxes vs. household income.