Needham

The Needham school district in Massachusetts is home to 8 high-performing schools, including 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school. The district is ranked 14th out of 348 districts in the state and has a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger, indicating exceptional educational quality.

Among the standout schools in Needham is Needham High School, which is ranked 21st out of 349 Massachusetts high schools and has a 5-star rating. The school boasts an impressive 98.3% four-year graduation rate and a very low 0.2% dropout rate. Pollard Middle School is another top performer, ranked 15th out of 484 Massachusetts middle schools and earning a 5-star rating. It consistently excels on MCAS Next Generation assessments, with over 75% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and Mathematics. Broadmeadow Elementary is also a standout, ranking 48th out of 906 Massachusetts elementary schools and earning a 5-star rating, with strong MCAS performance across multiple subject areas.

The Needham schools generally perform at a high level, with most schools having over 70% of students proficient or better on MCAS Next Generation assessments. The district also has relatively high spending per student, ranging from $18,921 to $22,242 per student, and low student-teacher ratios, from 10.8 to 14.5 students per teacher. While the Needham schools excel overall, there may be some equity concerns that warrant further investigation, and continued focus on improving student outcomes, particularly in areas like science and mathematics, could help the district maintain its high level of excellence.