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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Waltham Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 5,777 students in Waltham, MA (there are 4 private schools, serving 902 private students). 86% of all K-12 students in Waltham, MA are educated in public schools (compared to the MA state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Waltham, MA are Douglas Macarthur Elementary School, James Fitzgerald Elementary School and Waltham Sr High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Waltham, MA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the Massachusetts public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in Waltham have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Massachusetts public schools.
Minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Massachusetts public school average of 49% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Waltham, MA (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Douglas Macarthur Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
494 Lincoln Street
Waltham, MA 02451
(781) 314-5721
Gr: K-5 | 475 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #22.
James Fitzgerald Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
138 Beal Road
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5685
Gr: K-5 | 350 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #33.
Waltham Sr High School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
554 Lexington Street
Waltham, MA 02452
(781) 614-2702
Gr: 9-12 | 1,791 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #44.
John F Kennedy Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
655 Lexington St
Waltham, MA 02452
(781) 314-5563
Gr: 6-8 | 635 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #55.
William F. Stanley Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
250 South Street
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5620
Gr: PK-5 | 381 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #66.
Thomas R Plympton Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
20 Farnsworth Street
Waltham, MA 02451
(781) 314-5760
Gr: K-5 | 357 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #77.
John W. Mcdevitt Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
75 Church Street
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5595
Gr: 6-8 | 618 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #88.
Dual Language School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
617 Lexington St
Waltham, MA 02452
(781) 314-5402
Gr: K-5 | 222 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #99.
Northeast Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
70 Putney Lane
Waltham, MA 02452
(781) 314-5740
Gr: PK-5 | 527 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1010.
Henry Whittemore Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
30 Parmenter Road
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5785
Gr: K-5 | 372 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: n/an/a
Waltham Valor High School
Alternative School
617 Lexington Street
Waltham, MA 02452
(781) 314-5402
Gr: 9-12 | 49 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 98%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Waltham, MA?
The top-ranked public schools in Waltham, MA include Douglas Macarthur Elementary School, James Fitzgerald Elementary School and Waltham Sr High School.
How many public schools are located in Waltham?
11 public schools are located in Waltham.
What percentage of students in Waltham go to public school?
86% of all K-12 students in Waltham are educated in public schools (compared to the MA state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Waltham?
Waltham public schools minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Massachusetts public schools average of 49% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Waltham are often viewed compared to one another?

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