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Franklin

Q: Is Franklin a good school?

Franklin ranks 256 th of 899 Massachusetts elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

256^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 899 Massachusetts Elementary Schools

Better than 72% of Massachusetts elementary schools

Summary

Franklin Elementary is a K–5 school serving 320 students in West Newton, Massachusetts, part of the Newton school district. Newton is a very high-performing district, ranked 30th of 351 in Massachusetts (91st percentile, 5 stars), and Franklin itself ranks 256th of 899 schools statewide in 2025–2026 — the 72nd percentile with 4 stars.

That places Franklin in the top quartile statewide but at the low end among its neighbors. Its 53.89% ELA, 48.21% math, and 62.16% science proficiency all exceed the state averages, but each falls below the district average. Math is the clearest gap: 20.9 points below the district and 10.9 points below the next-lowest nearby Horace Mann. Among nearby elementary schools — C C Burr (95th percentile), Peirce (86th), Williams (83rd), Cabot (81st), Lincoln-Eliot (81st), and Horace Mann (80th) — Franklin has the lowest overall rank percentile. Its science (62.16%) is mid-pack, above several peers. Grade-level data show 5th-grade ELA near district level and 5th-grade science solid, while 3rd-grade ELA is slightly below the state average and math trails the district at every grade.

Franklin has also slipped over time: from the 91st percentile and 5 stars in 2018–2019 to the 72nd percentile and 4 stars in 2025–2026, with math dropping from 62.03 to 48.21 since 2022–2023. Subgroup results lag the school's overall standing, including low-income students (28th percentile, 1 star, down from the 69th percentile in 2018–2019) and special education students (62nd percentile). On resources, the student-teacher ratio improved to 9.8 in 2024–2025 — better than Cabot, C C Burr, Horace Mann, and Peirce — though per-student spending of $20,084 (2020–2021) was lower than every nearby school listed. Compared with nearby Waltham schools, Franklin still generally leads.

320

Students ?

9.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$24,300

Per pupil spending ?

13.8%

Directly certified for free meals (2024-25) ?

All students in Massachusetts receive free school meals.

100%

Kindergartners with all required immunizations (2025-26)

Exemptions: 0% (any vaccine)

125 Derby Street
West Newton, MA 02465

(617) 559-9500

District: Newton

Students who attend Franklin usually attend:

Middle:	F A Day Middle
High:	Newton North High

Racial breakdown:

White:

59.4%

Asian:

15.0%

Hispanic:

12.8%

See top rated Massachusetts elementary schools

Compare Franklin to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 82nd percentile in 2016 → 72nd in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Massachusetts average (53% vs 41% meeting standards)

✓Above the Massachusetts median (72nd percentile)

✓Small classes — about 10 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 10 percentile points since 2016

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Near the bottom of Newton's ranking

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school53%

District avg67%

Massachusetts avg41%

256^th of 899

Massachusetts public elementary schools ?

Top 28%▼ down 10 pts since 2016

From top 18% (2016) to top 28% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Massachusetts Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

15^th of 15Elementary Schools in the Newton

30^th of 351Newton among Massachusetts districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	71.0	256 of 899	71.5%	★★★★☆
2025	74.9	230 of 906	74.6%	★★★★☆
2024	79.0	195 of 916	78.7%	★★★★☆
2023	81.3	171 of 928	81.6%	★★★★☆
2022	82.1	160 of 932	82.8%	★★★★☆
2021	87.9	105 of 936	88.8%	★★★★☆
2019	88.2	83 of 942	91.2%	★★★★★
2018	82.1	147 of 934	84.3%	★★★★☆
2017	79.3	177 of 938	81.1%	★★★★☆
2016	80.1	169 of 932	81.9%	★★★★☆
2015	72.4	252 of 914	72.4%	★★★★☆
2014	75.0	223 of 926	75.9%	★★★★☆
2013	75.4	226 of 928	75.6%	★★★★☆
2012	73.4	259 of 930	72.2%	★★★★☆
2011	83.7	128 of 924	86.1%	★★★★☆
2010	82.3	150 of 920	83.7%	★★★★☆
2009	78.6	187 of 909	79.4%	★★★★☆
2008	69.1	291 of 908	68.0%	★★★☆☆
2007	77.1	198 of 911	78.3%	★★★★☆
2006	70.2	266 of 911	70.8%	★★★★☆
2005	68.9	299 of 887	66.3%	★★★☆☆
2004	74.8	230 of 882	73.9%	★★★★☆
2003	71.3	273 of 884	69.1%	★★★☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	47.2	94 of 149	36.9%	★★☆☆☆
2025	41.6	97 of 142	31.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	42.9	101 of 152	33.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	53.4	83 of 145	42.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	75.4	29 of 155	81.3%	★★★★☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2022	68.9	149 of 672	77.8%	★★★★☆
2019	72.9	127 of 665	80.9%	★★★★☆
2018	76.7	102 of 656	84.5%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	68.7	265 of 869	69.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	69.4	262 of 869	69.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	73.0	230 of 886	74.0%	★★★★☆
2023	79.6	171 of 887	80.7%	★★★★☆
2022	83.8	141 of 901	84.4%	★★★★☆
2021	88.3	82 of 898	90.9%	★★★★★
2019	87.0	80 of 902	91.1%	★★★★★
2018	85.8	82 of 893	90.8%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2022	91.9	15 of 401	96.3%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	33.1	535 of 742	27.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	58.7	281 of 772	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	62.5	216 of 700	69.1%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	71.9	236 of 879	73.2%	★★★★☆
2025	78.0	190 of 884	78.5%	★★★★☆
2024	81.5	152 of 891	82.9%	★★★★☆
2023	76.0	203 of 896	77.3%	★★★★☆
2022	75.1	201 of 908	77.9%	★★★★☆
2021	82.0	148 of 904	83.6%	★★★★☆
2019	86.8	86 of 907	90.5%	★★★★★
2018	72.1	237 of 898	73.6%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	53.5	266 of 709	62.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	40.9	380 of 717	47.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	65.8	184 of 731	74.8%	★★★★☆
2023	65.5	183 of 703	74.0%	★★★★☆
2022	61.6	274 of 905	69.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	90.4	45 of 894	95.0%	★★★★★
2019	88.7	41 of 896	95.4%	★★★★★
2018	79.3	107 of 886	87.9%	★★★★☆

Tested In Person

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2021	86.5	113 of 925	87.8%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	57.7	311 of 734	57.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	71.7	187 of 737	74.6%	★★★★☆
2024	74.7	163 of 753	78.4%	★★★★☆
2023	66.9	228 of 762	70.1%	★★★★☆
2022	76.4	142 of 764	81.4%	★★★★☆
2021	78.4	138 of 765	82.0%	★★★★☆
2019	87.9	44 of 780	94.4%	★★★★★
2018	77.7	130 of 772	83.2%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Hispanic (2022)96th percentile+13 vs school

Tested In Person (2021)88th percentile~ school

Disabled (2022)78th percentile-5 vs school

Male (2026)73rd percentile~ school

Female (2026)70th percentile~ school

Special Education (2026)62nd percentile-9 vs school

White (2026)58th percentile-14 vs school

Asian (2026)37th percentile-35 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)28th percentile-44 vs school

By subject vs Massachusetts (2025-2026) ?

Science62%+21 vs state

English Language Arts54%+14 vs state

Mathematics48%+7 vs state

2.0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, September 26, 2014

A below average school (by Newton standards) with a very active parent community. Teachers are generally good, but staff turnover has been alarming in recent years. Test scores consistently near the bottom of Newton elementary schools. This school badly needs a change in leadership and philosophy. Close Quote

Schools Near Franklin

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				MCAS Next Generation English Language Arts (2026)				MCAS Next Generation Mathematics (2026)				MCAS Next Generation Science (2026)		Vaccination (2025-26)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Directly certified (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MCAS Next Generation English Language Arts 3rd Grade	MCAS Next Generation English Language Arts 4th Grade	MCAS Next Generation English Language Arts 5th Grade	MCAS Next Generation English Language Arts All Grades	MCAS Next Generation Mathematics 3rd Grade	MCAS Next Generation Mathematics 4th Grade	MCAS Next Generation Mathematics 5th Grade	MCAS Next Generation Mathematics All Grades	MCAS Next Generation Science 5th Grade	MCAS Next Generation Science All Grades	Vaccination: Kindergartners with all required immunizations	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Total
Franklin	Public	K-5	125 Derby Street	West Newton	02465	Middlesex County	Newton	No	No	No	No	(617) 559-9500	320	32	9.8	13.8%	190 (59.4%)	12 (3.8%)	41 (12.8%)	48 (15.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (8.8%)	71	256^th of 899 public elementary schools	71.5%		74.9	230^th of 906 public elementary schools	74.6%	26	42.5	51.9	61.6	53.9	42.5	50.0	50.0	48.2	62.2	62.2	100%	0%	$24,300
Henry Whittemore Elementary School	Public	K-5	30 Parmenter Road	Waltham	02453	Middlesex County	Waltham	No	No	No	Yes	(781) 314-5785	372	41	9.0	71.8%	40 (10.8%)	18 (4.8%)	287 (77.2%)	14 (3.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (3.5%)	25.6	670^th of 899 public elementary schools	25.5%		27.2	658^th of 906 public elementary schools	27.4%	12	14.6	21.2	32.7	22.4	25.5	42.3	30.6	32.7	24.5	24.5	100%	0%	$25,757
C C Burr	Public	K-5	171 Pine Street	Auburndale	02466	Middlesex County	Newton	No	No	No	Yes	(617) 559-9360	350	31	11.1	14.9%	169 (48.3%)	16 (4.6%)	49 (14.0%)	82 (23.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (8.3%)	93	41^st of 899 public elementary schools	95.4%		93.6	42^nd of 906 public elementary schools	95.4%	1	63.8	66.1	67.9	65.9	69.0	78.6	77.8	75.0	83.3	83.3			$24,527
Horace Mann	Public	K-5	191 Pearl Street	Newton	02458	Middlesex County	Newton	No	No	No	No	(617) 559-9510	351	33	10.5	15.4%	187 (53.3%)	18 (5.1%)	39 (11.1%)	64 (18.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	42 (12.0%)	79.3	178^th of 899 public elementary schools	80.2%		78.1	203^rd of 906 public elementary schools	77.6%	25	58.5	50.9	58.5	55.9	69.2	57.6	52.3	59.1	60.0	60.0	100%	0%	$23,213
Peirce	Public	K-5	170 Temple Street	West Newton	02465	Middlesex County	Newton	No	No	No	No	(617) 559-9630	249	21	11.7	12.4%	140 (56.2%)	10 (4.0%)	31 (12.4%)	44 (17.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (9.2%)	84.6	130^th of 899 public elementary schools	85.5%		89.3	79^th of 906 public elementary schools	91.3%	51	57.9	58.3	64.9	60.4	65.8	66.7	54.1	62.2	67.6	67.6	97%	0%	$27,945
William F. Stanley Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	250 South Street	Waltham	02453	Middlesex County	Waltham	No	No	No	Yes	(781) 314-5620	381	45	8.4	52.2%	101 (26.5%)	47 (12.3%)	189 (49.6%)	30 (7.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.7%)	35.4	574^th of 899 public elementary schools	36.2%		35.4	591^st of 906 public elementary schools	34.8%	17	39.2	26.7	29.3	31.8	43.1	46.7	19.0	35.1	32.8	32.8	98%	2%	$32,435
Williams	Public	K-5	141 Grove Street	Auburndale	02466	Middlesex County	Newton	No	No	No	No	(617) 559-6480	211	25	8.5	13.7%	98 (46.4%)	6 (2.8%)	19 (9.0%)	75 (35.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (6.2%)	81.9	154^th of 899 public elementary schools	82.9%		84.8	128^th of 906 public elementary schools	85.9%	26	55.9	62.9	52.9	57.3	55.9	82.9	58.8	66.0	58.8	58.8			$28,279
Cabot	Public	K-5	229 Cabot Street	Newtonville	02460	Middlesex County	Newton	No	No	No	No	(617) 559-9400	414	38	11.0	12.8%	200 (48.3%)	18 (4.3%)	63 (15.2%)	76 (18.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	56 (13.5%)	79.5	173^rd of 899 public elementary schools	80.8%		75.9	225^th of 906 public elementary schools	75.2%	52	60.3	64.2	50.6	57.4	51.5	73.1	61.9	61.3	56.0	56.0	100%	0%	$25,166
Lincoln-Eliot	Public	K-5	150 Jackson Street	Newton	02458	Middlesex County	Newton	No	No	No	Yes	(617) 559-9540	336	36	9.3	30.1%	129 (38.4%)	24 (7.1%)	71 (21.1%)	74 (22.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (11.3%)	79.7	172^nd of 899 public elementary schools	80.9%		70.8	274^th of 906 public elementary schools	69.8%	102	60.3	42.6	55.2	53.3	64.1	59.3	65.7	63.2	61.2	61.2	96%	4%	$26,479
Thomas R Plympton Elementary School	Public	K-5	20 Farnsworth Street	Waltham	02451	Middlesex County	Waltham	No	No	No	Yes	(781) 314-5760	357	35	10.1	43.7%	139 (38.9%)	48 (13.4%)	136 (38.1%)	15 (4.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (5.3%)	38.2	557^th of 899 public elementary schools	38.0%		38.3	567^th of 906 public elementary schools	37.4%	10	29.5	34.6	22.5	29.1	41.0	56.4	31.3	43.3	29.2	29.2	100%	0%	$25,849

Frequently Asked Questions about Franklin

How many students attend Franklin?

In the 2024-25 school year, 320 students attended Franklin.

Is Franklin a good school?

Franklin ranks 256^th of 899 Massachusetts elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Franklin attend?

Students who attend Franklin usually go on to attend:

Middle : F A Day Middle
High : Newton North High

What is the racial makeup of Franklin?

Students at Franklin are 59% White, 15% Asian, 13% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races, 4% African American.

What district is Franklin in?

Newton

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Latest Massachusetts data All new data »

2013–14 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 20, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesMar 5, 2026

2024–25 MCAS Next Generation test scoresSep 29, 2025

2023–24 school spending dataMay 8, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.