How We Rate Schools
Our school ratings are based on publicly available data from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and other official sources.
Rating Overview
Each school receives a composite score from 0-100 based on multiple factors. The score is then converted to a letter grade (A+ through F) based on how the school compares to other Massachusetts schools at the same level (elementary, middle, or high school).
Letter Grades
Based on percentile ranking compared to similar schools statewide
Composite Score
Weighted average of multiple academic and operational factors
State Rank
Position among all rated schools of the same level in Massachusetts
Rating Components
Different factors are weighted differently for elementary schools vs. middle and high schools, reflecting what data is available and most relevant at each level.
Middle & High Schools
| Factor | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| MCAS Proficiency | 40% | Percentage of students scoring proficient or above on state tests |
| Graduation Rate | 12% | Four-year graduation rate (high schools only) |
| MCAS Growth | 10% | Year-over-year improvement in test scores |
| AP Performance | 9% | Advanced Placement participation and pass rates |
| MassCore Completion | 8% | Students completing the recommended college-prep curriculum |
| Attendance | 8% | Inverse of chronic absenteeism rate |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 5% | Average class size (lower is better) |
| Per-Pupil Spending | 4% | District spending per student |
| College Outcomes | 4% | Percentage of graduates attending college |
Elementary Schools
| Factor | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| MCAS Proficiency | 45% | Percentage of students scoring proficient or above |
| Attendance | 20% | Inverse of chronic absenteeism rate |
| MCAS Growth | 15% | Year-over-year improvement in test scores |
| Per-Pupil Spending | 12% | District spending per student |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 8% | Average class size (lower is better) |
Note: Elementary schools don't have graduation rates, AP courses, or MassCore requirements, so these factors are excluded from their ratings.
Letter Grade Scale
Letter grades are assigned based on percentile ranking, not absolute scores. This means grades reflect how a school compares to other Massachusetts schools at the same level.
Data Sources
All data comes from official Massachusetts government sources:
MA DESE
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
- MCAS test scores
- Graduation rates
- Attendance data
- AP course offerings
- Staff-to-student ratios
Education to Career Hub
Massachusetts Executive Office of Education
- Per-pupil spending
- Demographics
- College outcomes
- MassCore completion
MIAA
Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association
- Sports programs
- Athletic participation
NCES EDGE
National Center for Education Statistics
- School district boundaries
- Geographic data
Data Updates
Annual Data Refresh
School ratings are recalculated each fall when new MCAS scores and other metrics are released by DESE (typically September-October).
Current Data Year
Our current ratings use 2024-2025 school year data where available, with some metrics from 2023-2024 for data that releases on a delay.
Year-Over-Year Trends
We track how each school's ranking changes from year to year, showing whether they've improved, declined, or held steady in the state rankings.
Limitations
Private Schools
Private and parochial schools are not included in our ratings because they don't participate in MCAS testing or report data to DESE.
Early Elementary
Schools serving only pre-K through grade 2 may have limited data because MCAS testing begins in grade 3.
Small Schools
Very small schools may have ratings based on limited data points, which can lead to more year-to-year variability.
Special Programs
Alternative education programs, special education schools, and vocational schools may not be directly comparable to traditional schools.
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