Summary:
Dedham is a Massachusetts district of about 2,668 students spread across 7 schools: five elementary schools (one of which, Early Childhood Center, serves only PK–K), one middle school, and one high school. Overall, the district ranks 148 of 351 statewide — 58th percentile, 3 stars — placing it somewhat above the Massachusetts median, and it is a district of sharp contrasts between schools rather than uniform performance.
Two elementaries stand out. Greenlodge ranks in the 81st percentile with 4 stars and posts 58.56% ELA, 65.19% math, and 42.86% science — its math is far above the district's 48.84% and the state's 41.11%. Oakdale has risen from the 62nd to the 78th percentile, earning 4 stars, with 58.67% ELA and 60% math. Dedham High is the only school with graduation data (91.9% graduation, 5.1% dropout, both better than district figures) and is strong in math at 57.58% versus the state's 43.73%. Dedham Middle School is steady at the 66th percentile with 50% math and 44.25% civics. In contrast, Avery has fallen to the 28th percentile and 1 star, with ELA at 28.88%, math at 29.41%, and science at 26.39% — all far below district and state averages.
Across the district, math is the consistent strength, while science is the weakest area at the middle school (31.61%) and at Avery (26.39%), even though Riverdale (45% science) and Oakdale score above the state. Spending does not track outcomes simply: Oakdale has the lowest 2020–2021 per-student spending ($21,736) with top results, while Avery spends more and performs lowest. Note that free/reduced-lunch figures are unavailable for every school, spending data are from 2020–2021, and individual grade results can swing widely in small cohorts.
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