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Needham School District

Item: Needham School District
Rating: 10
Author: Public School Review

1330 Highland Avenue
Needham, MA 02492

( shown in map)

10/

Top 5%

Tel: (781) 455-0400

www.needham.k12.ma.us

Top Rankings

Needham School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Massachusetts for:

Overview

This School District

This State (MA)

# Schools

8 Schools

1,824 Schools

# Students

5,493 Students

915,932 Students

# Teachers

454 Teachers

77,193 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

12:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Needham School District	Massachusetts
Pre-K	67	80
Kind	393	156
1	381	162
2	443	164
3	410	170
4	432	165
5	426	168
6	441	170
7	442	170
8	425	172
9	424	183
10	377	181
11	422	182
12	410	179

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District Rank

Needham School District, which is ranked within the top 10% of all 391 school districts in Massachusetts (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 98% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

This School District

State Average (MA)

#19 out of 395 school districts
(Top 5%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Needham School District
2023	#19
2022	#24
2021	#27
2019	#26
2018	#50
2017	#47
2016	#48
2015	#56
2014	#57
2013	#68
2012	#70

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73%

42%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Needham School District	Massachusetts
2023	73%	42%
2022	71%	41%
2021	65%	37%
2019	75%	51%
2018	75%	52%
2017	77%	53%
2016	83%	64%
2015	82%	61%
2014	80%	61%
2013	81%	61%
2012	78%	59%

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70%

44%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Needham School District	Massachusetts
2022	70%	44%
2021	74%	49%
2019	78%	54%
2018	75%	56%
2017	76%	54%
2016	87%	71%
2015	86%	69%
2014	86%	69%
2013	85%	69%
2012	85%	69%
2011	86%	70%

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70%

44%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Needham School District	Massachusetts
2022	70%	44%
2021	62%	42%

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(21-22)

98%

90%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Needham School District	Massachusetts
2022	98%	90%
2021	97%	87%
2020	99%	88%
2019	97%	88%
2018	97%	87%
2017	98%	87%
2016	97%	87%
2015	98%	87%
2014	98%	86%
2013	96%	85%
2012	95%	84%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.47

0.66

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Needham School District	Massachusetts
2024	0.47	0.65
2023	0.46	0.64
2022	0.44	0.62
2021	0.42	0.62
2020	0.39	0.60
2019	0.39	0.60
2018	0.37	0.58
2017	0.37	0.58
2016	0.35	0.56
2015	0.33	0.55
2014	0.33	0.54
2013	0.31	0.53
2012	0.30	0.52
2011	0.29	0.51
2010	0.28	0.50
2009	0.27	0.51
2008	0.25	0.47
2007	0.24	0.46
2006	0.23	0.45
2005	0.22	0.43
2004	0.21	0.43
2003	0.21	0.42
2002	0.20	0.41
2001	0.20	0.40
2000	0.20	0.39
1999	0.19	0.39
1998	0.19	0.38
1997	0.19	0.38
1996	0.18	0.36
1995	0.18	0.36
1994	0.18	0.35
1993	0.17	0.35
1992	0.18	0.34
1991	0.18	0.33
1990	0.17	0.31
1989	0.16	0.30
1988	0.17	0.28

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% American Indian

n/a

% Asian

12%

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Needham School District	Massachusetts
2024	13%	7%
2023	12%	7%
2022	11%	7%
2021	10%	7%
2020	9%	7%
2019	9%	7%
2018	9%	8%
2017	9%	8%
2016	9%	6%
2015	8%	6%
2014	8%	6%
2013	8%	6%
2012	7%	6%
2011	7%	7%
2010	7%	6%
2009	6%	6%
2008	7%	6%
2007	6%	6%
2006	6%	6%
2005	6%	5%
2004	6%	5%
2003	5%	5%
2002	5%	5%
2001	5%	4%
2000	5%	4%
1999	4%	4%
1998	4%	4%
1997	5%	4%
1996	4%	4%
1995	4%	4%
1994	4%	4%
1993	4%	4%
1992	4%	4%
1991	3%	3%
1990	4%	3%
1989	4%	3%
1988	4%	3%

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% Hispanic

26%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Needham School District	Massachusetts
2024	7%	25%
2023	7%	24%
2022	7%	23%
2021	6%	22%
2020	6%	21%
2019	6%	21%
2018	5%	19%
2017	5%	19%
2016	5%	19%
2015	5%	18%
2014	5%	17%
2013	4%	16%
2012	4%	16%
2011	3%	15%
2010	3%	15%
2009	3%	14%
2008	4%	15%
2007	4%	14%
2006	3%	13%
2005	3%	12%
2004	2%	12%
2003	2%	11%
2002	2%	11%
2001	2%	11%
2000	2%	10%
1999	2%	10%
1998	2%	10%
1997	1%	10%
1996	2%	9%
1995	2%	9%
1994	2%	9%
1993	1%	9%
1992	1%	8%
1991	1%	8%
1990	1%	7%
1989	1%	7%
1988	1%	6%

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% Black

10%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Needham School District	Massachusetts
2024	3%	10%
2023	3%	10%
2022	3%	10%
2021	3%	10%
2020	3%	9%
2019	3%	9%
2018	2%	9%
2017	2%	9%
2016	2%	9%
2015	2%	9%
2014	3%	9%
2013	3%	9%
2012	3%	8%
2011	3%	8%
2010	3%	8%
2009	3%	8%
2008	3%	8%
2007	3%	8%
2006	3%	8%
2005	3%	9%
2004	4%	9%
2003	4%	9%
2002	4%	9%
2001	4%	9%
2000	4%	9%
1999	4%	9%
1998	4%	8%
1997	4%	8%
1996	4%	8%
1995	4%	8%
1994	4%	7%
1993	4%	7%
1992	4%	7%
1991	5%	8%
1990	4%	8%
1989	4%	7%
1988	4%	7%

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% White

71%

51%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Needham School District	Massachusetts
2024	71%	53%
2023	72%	54%
2022	73%	56%
2021	75%	57%
2020	77%	59%
2019	77%	59%
2018	79%	61%
2017	79%	61%
2016	80%	63%
2015	82%	64%
2014	81%	65%
2013	82%	66%
2012	84%	67%
2011	84%	68%
2010	84%	69%
2009	85%	70%
2008	86%	71%
2007	87%	72%
2006	88%	73%
2005	88%	74%
2004	88%	74%
2003	89%	75%
2002	89%	75%
2001	89%	76%
2000	89%	77%
1999	90%	77%
1998	90%	78%
1997	90%	78%
1996	90%	79%
1995	90%	79%
1994	90%	80%
1993	91%	80%
1992	91%	81%
1991	91%	81%
1990	91%	82%
1989	91%	83%
1988	91%	84%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2010-2024)
Year	Needham School District	Massachusetts
2024	6%	5%
2023	6%	5%
2022	6%	4%
2021	6%	4%
2020	5%	4%
2019	5%	4%
2018	5%	3%
2017	5%	3%
2016	4%	3%
2015	3%	3%
2014	3%	3%
2013	3%	3%
2012	2%	3%
2011	3%	2%
2010	3%	2%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $26,278 is higher than the state median of $23,855. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $24,850 is higher than the state median of $24,613. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

This School District

This State (MA)

Total Revenue

$144 MM

$21,850 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Needham School District	Massachusetts
2023	$144 MM	$33 MM
2022	$143 MM	$30 MM
2021	$144 MM	$33 MM
2020	$143 MM	$30 MM
2019	$146 MM	$30 MM
2018	$123 MM	$29 MM
2017	$115 MM	$28 MM
2016	$112 MM	$28 MM
2015	$84 MM	$29 MM
2014	$99 MM	$25 MM
2012	$95 MM	$25 MM
2011	$92 MM	$29 MM
2010	$84 MM	$29 MM
2009	$88 MM	$25 MM
2008	$78 MM	$29 MM
2007	$89 MM	$30 MM
2006	$75 MM	$28 MM
2005	$62 MM	$25 MM
2004	$61 MM	$23 MM
2003	$55 MM	$22 MM
2002	$61 MM	$21 MM
2001	$53 MM	$20 MM
2000	$42 MM	$17 MM
1999	$40 MM	$16 MM
1998	$38 MM	$15 MM
1997	$35 MM	$15 MM
1996	$33 MM	$14 MM
1995	$43 MM	$14 MM

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Spending

$137 MM

$22,544 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Needham School District	Massachusetts
2023	$137 MM	$31 MM
2022	$137 MM	$30 MM
2021	$137 MM	$31 MM
2020	$137 MM	$30 MM
2019	$158 MM	$29 MM
2018	$130 MM	$27 MM
2017	$112 MM	$26 MM
2016	$104 MM	$26 MM
2015	$86 MM	$28 MM
2014	$96 MM	$25 MM
2012	$107 MM	$24 MM
2011	$89 MM	$28 MM
2010	$86 MM	$28 MM
2009	$102 MM	$24 MM
2008	$91 MM	$27 MM
2007	$87 MM	$28 MM
2006	$63 MM	$26 MM
2005	$68 MM	$23 MM
2004	$66 MM	$23 MM
2003	$53 MM	$22 MM
2002	$61 MM	$22 MM
2001	$52 MM	$20 MM
2000	$42 MM	$18 MM
1999	$43 MM	$16 MM
1998	$44 MM	$15 MM
1997	$35 MM	$14 MM
1996	$34 MM	$14 MM
1995	$32 MM	$12 MM

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Revenue / Student

$26,278

$23,855

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Needham School District	Massachusetts
2023	$26,126	$24,728
2022	$25,138	$21,893
2021	$26,326	$24,560
2020	$25,138	$21,893
2019	$25,481	$22,465
2018	$21,758	$21,203
2017	$20,522	$21,707
2016	$20,094	$20,995
2015	$15,268	$20,216
2014	$17,938	$18,426
2012	$17,564	$17,368
2011	$17,104	$19,949
2010	$15,866	$20,216
2009	$17,247	$17,400
2008	$15,598	$20,313
2007	$17,762	$19,874
2006	$15,190	$18,605
2005	$12,725	$16,492
2004	$12,838	$14,710
2003	$11,834	$14,080
2002	$13,544	$13,131
2001	$12,014	$11,945
2000	$9,681	$10,807
1999	$9,202	$9,233
1998	$8,959	$8,168
1997	$8,471	$8,222
1995	$11,036	$7,665
1992	$6,796	$6,378

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Spending / Student

$24,850

$24,613

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Needham School District	Massachusetts
2023	$24,706	$23,465
2022	$24,022	$21,748
2021	$24,895	$23,307
2020	$24,022	$21,748
2019	$27,686	$21,401
2018	$23,023	$19,776
2017	$20,030	$20,105
2016	$18,555	$19,473
2015	$15,504	$19,181
2014	$17,438	$18,091
2012	$19,867	$17,137
2011	$16,575	$19,427
2010	$16,111	$19,181
2009	$19,875	$16,788
2008	$18,061	$19,196
2007	$17,376	$18,606
2006	$12,828	$17,681
2005	$13,885	$15,640
2004	$14,006	$14,676
2003	$11,424	$13,753
2002	$13,664	$13,695
2001	$11,810	$12,113
2000	$9,654	$10,872
1999	$10,036	$9,235
1998	$10,218	$8,243
1997	$8,444	$7,752
1995	$8,289	$6,904
1992	$6,450	$5,896

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Best Needham School District Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Needham High School

(Math: 90% | Reading: 84%)
:

10/

Top 1%

Add to Compare

609 Webster Street
Needham Heights, MA 02494
(781) 455-0800

Gr: 9-12 | 1,633 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 26%

Rank: #22.

Pollard Middle School

(Math: 76% | Reading: 74%)
:

10/

Top 10%

Add to Compare

200 Harris Avenue
Needham, MA 02492
(781) 455-0480

Gr: 7-8 | 867 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 28%

Rank: #33.

High Rock School

(Math: 75% | Reading: 74%)
:

10/

Top 10%

Add to Compare

77 Ferndale Road
Needham, MA 02492
(781) 455-0400

Gr: 6 | 441 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 30%

Rank: #44.

Broadmeadow

(Math: 70% | Reading: 70%)
:

Top 20%

Add to Compare

120 Broadmeadow Rd
Needham, MA 02492
(781) 455-0448

Gr: K-5 | 502 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%

Rank: #55.

William Mitchell

(Math: 69% | Reading: 64%)
:

Top 20%

Add to Compare

187 Brookline Street
Needham, MA 02492
(781) 455-0466

Gr: K-5 | 424 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 24%

Rank: #66.

Newman Elementary School

(Math: 63% | Reading: 65%)
:

Top 20%

Add to Compare

1155 Central Avenue
Needham, MA 02492
(781) 455-0416

Gr: PK-5 | 696 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 29%

Rank: #77.

John Eliot

(Math: 63% | Reading: 58%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

135 Wellesley Avenue
Needham Heights, MA 02494
(781) 455-0452

Gr: K-5 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 44%

Rank: #88.

Sunita L. Williams Elementary School

(Math: 55% | Reading: 61%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

585 Central Avenue
Needham Heights, MA 02494
(781) 455-0461

Gr: K-5 | 533 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 29%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Needham School District?

Needham School District manages 8 public schools serving 5,493 students.

What is the rank of Needham School District?

Needham School District is ranked #20 out of 391 school districts in Massachusetts (top 10%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Massachusetts school districts for: Highest overall rank (Top 5%), Highest math proficiency (Top 5%), Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 10%), Highest science proficiency (Top 10%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)

What is the racial composition of students in Needham School District?

71% of Needham School District students are White, 12% of students are Asian, 7% of students are Hispanic, 7% of students are Two or more races, and 3% of students are Black.

What is the student/teacher ratio of Needham School District?

Needham School District has a student/teacher ratio of 12:1, which is equal to the Massachusetts state average of 12:1.

What is Needham School District's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $24,850 is higher than the state median of $24,613. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 8 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 5,493 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1
Minority Enrollment: 29%
: 98% (Btm 50% in MA)
: Top 5%
: 73% (Top 5%)
: 70% (Top 10%)
: 70% (Top 10%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MA Dept. of Education