The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Home in Massachusetts' Top School Districts
Compare 313 school districts, find family homes in A-rated zones, and connect with local experts who know the market.
Free PDF with all 20 A+ districts and pricing
Why 91% of Massachusetts Home Buyers Prioritize Schools
If you're a growing family searching for a home in Massachusetts, you already know the drill: find the best schools first, then find the house. It's not just about getting your kids into good schools - it's about making one of the smartest financial decisions of your life.
The Problem with Other Platforms
Most real estate platforms make it nearly impossible to actually filter properties by school quality. You can see nearby schools after clicking on a home, but you can't search for "all homes in A-rated school districts under $1 million."
That's exactly why we built BMN Boston differently.
Why BMN Boston is Different
Most platforms show you schools after you find a home. We let you start with your school requirements.
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Instant alerts when homes hit the market in your target school districts.
What Families Say
"This guide saved us weeks of research. We found our home in Natick and couldn't be happier with the schools."— Sarah M., Natick homeowner
"Finally a real estate team that understands what matters to families. The school grade filter is a game-changer."— David L., Newton
"We relocated from California and didn't know MA school districts. This guide was our roadmap."— Jennifer & Mark T., Wellesley
Top 40 School Districts in Massachusetts (2026)
Based on our comprehensive analysis of 2,636 schools using MCAS scores, graduation rates, and 6 other factors.
| Rank | District | Grade | Score | Percentile | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | A+ | 70.8 | 100th | View Homes |
| 2 | Needham | A+ | 68.6 | 100th | View Homes |
| 3 | Brookline | A+ | 67.3 | 99th | View Homes |
| 4 | Newton | A+ | 66.6 | 99th | View Homes |
| 5 | Arlington | A+ | 65.2 | 98th | View Homes |
| 6 | Winchester | A+ | 65.2 | 98th | View Homes |
| 7 | Weston | A+ | 64.9 | 97th | View Homes |
| 8 | Hopkinton | A+ | 64.9 | 97th | View Homes |
| 9 | Wayland | A+ | 64.3 | 96th | View Homes |
| 10 | Dover-Sherborn | A+ | 64.2 | 96th | View Homes |
| 11 | Sharon | A+ | 64.0 | 96th | View Homes |
| 12 | Belmont | A+ | 63.9 | 95th | View Homes |
| 13 | Medfield | A+ | 63.7 | 95th | View Homes |
| 14 | Duxbury | A+ | 63.6 | 94th | View Homes |
| 15 | Hingham | A+ | 63.5 | 94th | View Homes |
| 16 | Natick | A+ | 63.5 | 93th | View Homes |
| 17 | Milton | A+ | 62.8 | 93th | View Homes |
| 18 | Wellesley | A+ | 62.7 | 92th | View Homes |
| 19 | Bedford | A+ | 62.4 | 92th | View Homes |
| 20 | Westwood | A+ | 62.2 | 92th | View Homes |
| 21 | Acton-Boxborough Regional | A+ | 61.9 | 91th | View Homes |
| 22 | Westborough | A+ | 61.8 | 91th | View Homes |
| 23 | Andover | A+ | 61.8 | 90th | View Homes |
| 24 | Shrewsbury | A+ | 61.7 | 90th | View Homes |
| 25 | North Reading | A | 61.5 | 89th | View Homes |
| 26 | Sudbury | A | 60.8 | 89th | View Homes |
| 27 | Easton | A | 59.9 | 88th | View Homes |
| 28 | Holliston | A | 59.4 | 88th | View Homes |
| 29 | Canton | A | 59.2 | 88th | View Homes |
| 30 | Cohasset | A | 58.7 | 87th | View Homes |
| 31 | Melrose | A | 57.9 | 87th | View Homes |
| 32 | Hamilton-Wenham | A | 57.9 | 86th | View Homes |
| 33 | Reading | A | 57.9 | 86th | View Homes |
| 34 | Scituate | A | 57.4 | 85th | View Homes |
| 35 | Littleton | A | 57.3 | 85th | View Homes |
| 36 | Carlisle | A | 57.3 | 85th | View Homes |
| 37 | Braintree | A | 57.2 | 84th | View Homes |
| 38 | Franklin | A | 57.1 | 84th | View Homes |
| 39 | Ashland | A | 56.8 | 83th | View Homes |
| 40 | Burlington | A | 56.7 | 83th | View Homes |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best school districts to buy a home in Massachusetts?
Based on our 2026 analysis of 313 districts, the top-rated districts include Lexington, Needham, Brookline, Newton, and Arlington. These A+ districts have composite scores above 65 based on MCAS proficiency, graduation rates, and college outcomes. View all district rankings.
How much do homes cost in top Massachusetts school districts?
Family homes (3+ bedrooms) in premium A+ districts like Newton start around $790K, while value-oriented A+ districts like Natick offer entry points from $630K. Budget-friendly A-rated options like Canton and Easton have family homes starting around $500K.
Can I search for homes by school district grade?
Yes, BMN Boston is the only real estate platform that lets you filter properties by school district grade. You can search for all homes in A-rated, B-rated, or C-rated districts directly from our property search - something not possible on Zillow or Redfin.
What is the cheapest A-rated school district in Massachusetts?
Canton offers the lowest entry point for A-rated schools with family homes starting at $499,900. Other affordable A-rated options include Easton ($520K), Chelmsford ($529K), and Framingham ($530K). Search affordable A-rated homes.
How do Massachusetts school district grades work?
BMN Boston calculates school grades using a composite score based on 8 factors: MCAS proficiency (40-45%), graduation rates (12%), MCAS growth (10-15%), AP performance (9%), attendance (8-20%), student-teacher ratio (5-8%), and per-pupil spending (4-12%). Schools are graded A+ through F based on their percentile rank among all Massachusetts schools.
Family Home Prices by School District
Note: If you're moving for schools, you're likely looking for a 3+ bedroom single-family home or townhouse. The data below reflects exactly that.
Premium A+ Districts
$790K - $12M+- Newton - 49 homes from $790K Best Entry
- Hingham - 18 homes from $775K
- Westwood - 16 homes from $785K
- Needham - 20 homes from $849K
- Lexington - 28 homes from $1.48M
- Wellesley - 26 homes from $1.19M
Best Value A+ Districts
$630K - $1M- Natick - 22 homes from $630K Best Value A+
- Hopkinton - 14 homes from $700K
- Sharon - 8 homes from $700K
- Milton - 8 homes from $775K
- Winchester - 12 homes from $829K
- Bedford - 11 homes from $849K
A-Rated Under $600K
$250K - $600K- Canton - 10 homes from $500K Best Budget A
- Easton - 25 homes from $520K Most Inventory
- Chelmsford - 9 homes from $529K
- Framingham - 19 homes from $530K
- Westford - 17 homes from $540K
- Worcester - 95 homes from $250K (B+)
Meet Your Local Experts
In a competitive market, you need more than a platform - you need people who know the territory.
Steven Novak
Team LeadTop 1.5% of agents nationwide. Boston Magazine Top Producer. Fluent in English and Russian.
617-955-2224
Craig Brody
Team LeadGrew up in Framingham. Expert in Back Bay, Beacon Hill + Metrowest suburbs. Knows school dynamics firsthand.
617-519-1480
Ashlie Tucker
Agent & Marketing SpecialistFirst-time buyer specialist. UNH Hospitality Management degree. Makes every transaction smooth.
603-848-9194Download the Free PDF Guide
Get our complete 10-page guide with:
- All 20 A+ districts with prices
- Budget tier recommendations
- School search checklist
- Commuter access guide
Ready to Find Your Family's Perfect Home?
Start searching by school district grade - something you can't do anywhere else.