Massachusetts is the #21 largest school system in the United States, serving 915,932 students across the 1,824 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are 853 private schools, serving 126,967 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)
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
1,824 Schools
100,423 Schools
# Students
915,932 Students
49,312,078 Students
# Teachers
77,193 Teachers
3,179,501 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
15:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (MA)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
42%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
45%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
44%
43%
Graduation Rate
90%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
34%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.66
0.71
# American Indian Students
2,270 Students
466,017 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
68,572 Students
2,806,956 Students
% Asian Students
8%
6%
# Hispanic Students
236,611 Students
14,946,038 Students
% Hispanic Students
26%
30%
# Black Students
93,201 Students
7,271,060 Students
% Black Students
10%
15%
# White Students
470,692 Students
21,001,266 Students
% White Students
51%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
799 Students
196,946 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
42,192 Students
2,587,800 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (MA)
Total Revenue (24-25)
$21,850 MM
Spending (24-25)
$22,544 MM
Revenue / Student (24-25)
$23,855
Spending / Student (24-25)
$24,613
Best Massachusetts Public Schools by County (2026)
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?
1,824 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, Stony Brook School vs. Blanchard Middle School
Recent Articles
What Rising E-Bike and Traffic Concerns Mean for School Commutes
Discover how rising e-bike use and increasing traffic are changing school commutes, and what parents should evaluate before choosing a public school.
School Safety Beyond Lockdowns: What Parents Should Review
Learn how to evaluate a public school's safety beyond lockdown drills, including school climate, emergency planning, mental health support, and communication.
How to Judge Special Education Capacity Before You Enroll
Learn how to evaluate a public school's special education capacity before enrolling your child, from staffing and IEP implementation to inclusion and support services.
