'Smart' States: New England Tops; Low Scores In West, South  If you are looking for a home where grey matter matters, try the Green Mountain State of Vermont. "The Smartest State Award recognizes those states that are committed to students and teachers, emphasize excellence in the classroom and ensure that public elementary and secondary schools are efficiently-run," Trading places with Massachusetts, Vermont moved up from its No. 3 spot last year to be crowned "Smartest State," an award bestowed for each of the last four years by Morgan Quitno Press, the Lawrence, KS-based independent research and publishing company known for its "best" and "worst" lists -- for better or for worse.   COLDWELL BANKER CHOICE PROPERTIES   Your source for Vermont Real Estate If you own real estate that you're thinking of selling, I would be happy to provide you with a FREE Home Evaluation. In today's competitive real estate market, timing is everything. Many good homes are sold before  they are ever advertised. Beat other homebuyers to the hottest new homes for sale in the St. Albans area and Northwest Vermont  with my New Listings Notification.    Coldwell Banker Choice Properties is located in beautiful St Albans, Vermont. Our team of fourteen real estate professionals have lived in St Albans, Fairfax, Grand Isle and the greater Franklin County area for years. Come let us show you the real estate opportunities available in St Albans, Vermont and all of Franklin, Chittenden and Grand Isles Counties.