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Douglas MacArthur Elementary School

Q: Is Douglas MacArthur Elementary School a good school?

Douglas MacArthur Elementary School ranks 372 nd of 899 Massachusetts elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

372^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 899 Massachusetts Elementary Schools

Better than 59% of Massachusetts elementary schools

Summary

Douglas MacArthur Elementary School is a K–5 school in Waltham, MA, a suburban city west of Boston, serving 475 students in the Waltham district; the district ranks 231st of 351 Massachusetts districts (34th percentile, 2 stars), but the school itself ranks 372nd of 899 schools statewide (59th percentile, 3 stars) in 2025–2026. Its history shows volatility and a recent climb: a low of the 26th percentile (1 star) in 2017–2018, a peak of the 71st percentile (4 stars) in 2021–2022, then 50th, 56th, and 59th percentiles in the last three years — above the state median and improving modestly.

Test scores differ a lot by subject. In 2025–2026, 51.84% of students were proficient in English language arts, 43.75% in math, and 29.67% in science. ELA is the clear strength: it is about 14 points above the district and 12 points above the state, and it is the highest ELA score among nearby Waltham schools. Math is above district and state averages but less dominant. Science is the clear weakness — below the district and about 11 points below the state. MacArthur is the second-highest-ranked Waltham school in this nearby group, behind James Fitzgerald Elementary School (66th percentile, with 54.19% math and 45.45% science).

Science has declined sharply: 46.38% in 2022–2023, 42.47%, 35%, then 29.67%, while state science stayed roughly flat. Fifth graders are above the state in ELA and math but far below in science, suggesting a science-specific issue. Third-grade math is also below district and state averages. Several groups are improving: Hispanic students rose from the 12th to the 46th percentile, English language learners from 24th to 49th, and special education students from 24th to 55th. Low-income students remain at the 38th percentile versus 59th for the school overall — a notable gap. The student-teacher ratio is 11.4, higher than most nearby Waltham schools.

475

Students ?

11.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$23,980

Per pupil spending ?

33.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

494 Lincoln Street
Waltham, MA 02451

(781) 314-5721

District: Waltham

Students who attend Douglas MacArthur Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	John F Kennedy Middle
High:	Waltham Senior High

Racial breakdown:

White:

57.1%

Hispanic:

22.3%

Asian:

7.6%

See top rated Massachusetts elementary schools

Compare Douglas MacArthur Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 53rd percentile in 2016 → 59th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 6 percentile points since 2016

✓Above the Massachusetts median (59th percentile)

✓Small classes — about 11 students per teacher

Worth a look

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

!Science scores 11 pts below the Massachusetts average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school45%

District avg38%

Massachusetts avg41%

372^nd of 899

Massachusetts public elementary schools ?

Top 41%▲ up 6 pts since 2016

From top 47% (2016) to top 41% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Massachusetts Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 7Elementary Schools in the Waltham

231^st of 351Waltham 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	57.7	372 of 899	58.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	55.3	403 of 906	55.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	51.0	462 of 916	49.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	56.6	419 of 928	54.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	71.2	267 of 932	71.4%	★★★★☆
2021	62.3	368 of 936	60.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	50.8	483 of 942	48.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	29.3	692 of 934	25.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	44.4	561 of 938	40.2%	★★☆☆☆
2016	56.3	439 of 932	52.9%	★★★☆☆
2015	50.5	488 of 914	46.6%	★★☆☆☆
2014	55.5	459 of 926	50.4%	★★★☆☆
2013	59.5	416 of 928	55.2%	★★★☆☆
2012	52.8	497 of 930	46.6%	★★☆☆☆
2011	54.4	469 of 924	49.2%	★★☆☆☆
2010	57.7	415 of 920	54.9%	★★★☆☆
2009	60.0	391 of 909	57.0%	★★★☆☆
2008	59.1	393 of 908	56.7%	★★★☆☆
2007	57.6	428 of 911	53.0%	★★★☆☆
2006	29.0	689 of 911	24.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	50.1	469 of 887	47.1%	★★☆☆☆
2004	56.0	427 of 882	51.6%	★★★☆☆
2003	58.0	414 of 884	53.2%	★★★☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2022	55.7	241 of 672	64.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	20.3	590 of 665	11.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	16.8	622 of 656	5.2%	☆☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	42.2	148 of 291	49.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	31.3	213 of 281	24.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	53.1	407 of 869	53.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	54.0	402 of 869	53.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	55.7	403 of 886	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	56.2	404 of 887	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	67.7	279 of 901	69.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	61.5	344 of 898	61.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	53.3	443 of 902	50.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	34.9	622 of 893	30.3%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	42.6	255 of 475	46.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	29.1	355 of 458	22.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	22.7	393 of 446	11.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	54.5	147 of 420	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	59.4	106 of 401	73.6%	★★★★☆
2021	63.2	84 of 379	77.8%	★★★★☆
2019	38.5	256 of 398	35.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	14.8	361 of 379	4.7%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	39.4	463 of 742	37.6%	★★☆☆☆
2025	37.1	486 of 736	34.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	40.2	466 of 760	38.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	28.5	601 of 757	20.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	57.8	290 of 772	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	29.0	538 of 705	23.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	48.4	370 of 700	47.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	16.8	633 of 685	7.6%	☆☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	61.4	322 of 879	63.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	54.3	396 of 884	55.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	44.0	512 of 891	42.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	56.1	390 of 896	56.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	72.2	234 of 908	74.2%	★★★★☆
2021	61.7	349 of 904	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	49.4	478 of 907	47.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	27.3	688 of 898	23.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	48.2	322 of 709	54.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	46.2	321 of 717	55.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	27.0	554 of 731	24.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	33.3	455 of 703	35.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	53.6	381 of 905	57.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	47.7	447 of 894	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	32.5	656 of 896	26.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	13.7	856 of 886	3.4%	☆☆☆☆☆

Tested In Person

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2021	65.1	331 of 925	64.2%	★★★☆☆

Tested Remotely

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2021	51.3	162 of 399	59.4%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	64.9	234 of 734	68.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	64.1	256 of 737	65.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	58.1	309 of 753	59.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	52.0	373 of 762	51.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	68.5	211 of 764	72.4%	★★★★☆
2021	59.1	300 of 765	60.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	47.7	436 of 780	44.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	23.4	651 of 772	15.7%	★☆☆☆☆

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)

White (2026)68th percentile+9 vs school

Tested In Person (2021)64th percentile+4 vs school

Disabled (2022)64th percentile-7 vs school

Male (2026)63rd percentile+5 vs school

Tested Remotely (2021)59th percentile~ school

Special Education (2026)55th percentile-4 vs school

Female (2026)53rd percentile-5 vs school

English Language Learner (2026)49th percentile-9 vs school

Hispanic (2026)46th percentile-12 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)38th percentile-21 vs school

By subject vs Massachusetts (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts52%+12 vs state

Mathematics44%+3 vs state

Science30%-11 vs state

2.5

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★0

4★1

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, December 20, 2018

Teachers focused on how to take MCAS rather than teaching. No teaching, No homework. No teacher communication except about MCAS. Maybe if they focus on teaching their scores would go up. Terrible school. Took my kid out!! Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, August 28, 2018

My kid was struggling. The teachers noticed and made every effort to get the extra help needed. Good school. Close Quote

Schools Near Douglas MacArthur Elementary School

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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 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)		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	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2015)	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	Total
Douglas MacArthur Elementary School	Public	K-5	494 Lincoln Street	Waltham	02451	Middlesex County	Waltham	No	No	No	No	(781) 314-5721	475	41	11.4	33.7%	271 (57.1%)	35 (7.4%)	106 (22.3%)	36 (7.6%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	23 (4.8%)	57.7	372^nd of 899 public elementary schools	58.6%		55.3	403^rd of 906 public elementary schools	55.5%	31	50.6	48.4	56.5	51.8	35.3	48.4	46.7	43.8	29.7	29.7	$23,980
Dual Language School	Public	K-5	617 Lexington St	Waltham	02452	Middlesex County	Waltham	No	No	No	Yes	(781) 314-5402	222	17	13.1		41 (18.5%)	5 (2.3%)	161 (72.5%)	3 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (5.4%)	32.6	609^th of 899 public elementary schools	32.3%		41.4	536^th of 906 public elementary schools	40.8%	73	29.7	31.4	36.4	32.4	27.0	28.6	33.3	29.5	39.4	39.4	$23,410
Northeast Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	70 Putney Lane	Waltham	02452	Middlesex County	Waltham	No	No	No	Yes	(781) 314-5740	527	49	10.7	28.5%	186 (35.3%)	62 (11.8%)	226 (42.9%)	32 (6.1%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (3.8%)	34.4	589^th of 899 public elementary schools	34.5%		31.1	623^rd of 906 public elementary schools	31.2%	34	26.0	32.8	31.8	30.0	39.7	43.1	31.8	38.1	27.7	27.7	$26,896
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	52.1%	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	$25,849
Bowman	Public	K-5	9 Philip Rd	Lexington	02421	Middlesex County	Lexington	No	No	No	No	(781) 861-2500	429	38	11.1	6.3%	150 (35.0%)	28 (6.5%)	23 (5.4%)	183 (42.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	45 (10.5%)	94.5	26^th of 899 public elementary schools	97.1%		96.7	6^th of 906 public elementary schools	99.3%	20	70.2	69.7	76.7	72.2	70.2	77.6	72.6	73.6	79.5	79.5	$16,072
Bridge	Public	K-5	55 Middleby Rd	Lexington	02421	Middlesex County	Lexington	No	No	No	Yes	(781) 861-2510	345	36	9.7	5.6%	78 (22.6%)	15 (4.3%)	37 (10.7%)	174 (50.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (11.9%)	95.3	20^th of 899 public elementary schools	97.8%		94.5	27^th of 906 public elementary schools	97.0%	7	77.4	80.4	67.7	74.6	80.7	84.3	76.5	80.1	69.1	69.1	$17,460
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	52.4%	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	$32,435
James Fitzgerald Elementary School	Public	K-5	138 Beal Road	Waltham	02453	Middlesex County	Waltham	No	No	No	No	(781) 314-5685	350	35	9.9	32.3%	177 (50.6%)	11 (3.1%)	121 (34.6%)	20 (5.7%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (5.7%)	65.5	307^th of 899 public elementary schools	65.9%		53.7	417^th of 906 public elementary schools	54.0%	110	46.7	43.8	49.1	46.4	50.0	59.4	52.7	54.2	45.5	45.5	$25,923
Maria Hastings	Public	K-5	7 Crosby Road	Lexington	02421	Middlesex County	Lexington	No	No	No	Yes	(781) 860-5800	579	56	10.3	5.2%	165 (28.5%)	29 (5.0%)	42 (7.3%)	291 (50.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	52 (9.0%)	94	32^nd of 899 public elementary schools	96.4%		94.5	28^th of 906 public elementary schools	96.9%	4	68.3	69.8	71.6	70.0	72.0	76.7	74.7	74.7	73.7	73.7	$15,558
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	73.3%	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	$25,757

Frequently Asked Questions about Douglas MacArthur Elementary School

Is Douglas MacArthur Elementary School a good school?

Douglas MacArthur Elementary School ranks 372^nd of 899 Massachusetts elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Douglas MacArthur Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 475 students attended Douglas MacArthur Elementary School.

What district is Douglas MacArthur Elementary School in?

Waltham

What is the racial makeup of Douglas MacArthur Elementary School?

Students at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School are 57% White, 22% Hispanic, 8% Asian, 7% African American, 5% Two or more races.

What schools do graduates of Douglas MacArthur Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Douglas MacArthur Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : John F Kennedy Middle
High : Waltham Senior High

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Latest Massachusetts data All new data »

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesMar 5, 2026

2024–25 MCAS Next Generation test scoresSep 29, 2025

2023–24 school spending dataMay 8, 2025

2023–24 dropout rates & graduation ratesMay 1, 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.