Massachusetts is the #21 largest school system in the United States, serving 915,717 students across the 1,823 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 853 private schools, serving 126,166 students). 88% of all K-12 students in Massachusetts attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Massachusetts is 43%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 45%.
The top-ranked public schools in Massachusetts are Lexington High School, Acton-boxborough Regional High School, and Winchester High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
There are 72 Blue Ribbon Schools, 4 magnet schools, 73 charter schools, and 15 special education schools.
Minority enrollment is 49%, with the majority being Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 12:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Massachusetts (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Lexington High School
(Math: 94% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 88% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
251 Waltham Street
Lexington, MA 02421
(781) 861-2320
Lexington, MA 02421
(781) 861-2320
Rank: #22.
Acton-boxborough Regional High School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 88% (Top 1%)
Reading: 89% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
36 Charter Rd
Acton, MA 01720
(978) 264-4700
Acton, MA 01720
(978) 264-4700
Rank: #33.
Winchester High School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 87% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
80 Skillings Road
Winchester, MA 01890
(781) 721-7020
Winchester, MA 01890
(781) 721-7020
Rank: #44.
Hopkinton High School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 88% (Top 1%)
Reading: 87% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
90 Hayden Rowe Street
Hopkinton, MA 01748
(508) 497-9820
Hopkinton, MA 01748
(508) 497-9820
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Belmont High School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 87% (Top 1%)
Reading: 86% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
221 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
(617) 993-5901
Belmont, MA 02478
(617) 993-5901
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Needham High School
(Math: 90% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90% (Top 1%)
Reading: 84% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
609 Webster Street
Needham Heights, MA 02494
(781) 455-0800
Needham Heights, MA 02494
(781) 455-0800
Rank: #77.
John D Hardy
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-5
293 Weston Rd
Wellesley, MA 02482
(781) 446-6270
Wellesley, MA 02482
(781) 446-6270
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Wellesley Sr High School
(Math: 90% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90% (Top 1%)
Reading: 83% (Top 5%)
Grades: 9-12
50 Rice Street
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481
(781) 446-6290
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481
(781) 446-6290
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Westborough High School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 87% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
90 West Main Street
Westborough, MA 01581
(508) 836-7720
Westborough, MA 01581
(508) 836-7720
Rank: #1010.
Hingham High School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 83% (Top 5%)
Reading: 91% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
17 Union Street
Hingham, MA 02043
(781) 741-1560
Hingham, MA 02043
(781) 741-1560
Overview
This State (MA)
US
# Schools
1,823 Schools
100,274 Schools
# Students
915,717 Students
49,273,234 Students
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# Teachers
77,162 Teachers
3,176,846 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. View full 22-year historical data
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. View full 22-year historical data
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (MA)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
42%
41%
Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
45%
47%
Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
44%
43%
Graduation Rate
89.2%
87%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 13-year historical data
Eligible for Free Lunch
34%
50%
Showing 2011–2025. View full 27-year historical data
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
5%
Showing 2011–2025. View full 27-year historical data
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.66
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# American Indian Students
2,270 Students
465,607 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
68,525 Students
2,805,284 Students
% Asian Students
8%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# Hispanic Students
236,563 Students
14,933,108 Students
% Hispanic Students
26%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# Black Students
93,122 Students
7,261,526 Students
% Black Students
10%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# White Students
470,659 Students
20,989,144 Students
% White Students
51%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# Hawaiian Students
799 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
42,185 Students
2,585,770 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 17-year historical data
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (MA)
Statewide Total Revenue
$23,079 MM
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Statewide Total Spending
$25,209 MM
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Revenue / Student
$25,203
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Spending / Student
$27,530
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Best Massachusetts Public Schools by County (2026-27)
Popular neighborhoods: Sixteen Acres (11 schools), Liberty Heights (9 schools), Pine Point (9 schools), Highlands (8 schools), Forest Park (8 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Massachusetts?
The top-ranked public schools in Massachusetts include Lexington High School, Acton-boxborough Regional High School, and Winchester High School.
How many public schools are located in Massachusetts?
1,823 public schools are located in Massachusetts.
What percentage of students in Massachusetts go to public school?
88% of all K-12 students in Massachusetts attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Massachusetts?
Minority enrollment in Massachusetts is 49%, with the majority being Hispanic.
Which public schools in Massachusetts are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Massachusetts include: Oak Street Elementary School vs. Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School, North Quincy High School vs. Quincy High School, Oak Hill Middle School vs. Charles E Brown Middle School
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