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Boston School District

GreatSchools Rating: 3 out of 10. GreatSchools Ratings are based on test results. 10 is best.
This district's rating is based on its schools' test results; 10 is best. Learn more >

Learn About This District's:

26 Court Street
Boston, MA 02108
Suffolk County
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PH: (617) 635-9050
FAX: (617) 635-9059

  • Grades PK-12
  • 55,888 students
  • 137 schools

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 MCAS Results

Scale: % at or above proficient

Grade 3

English Language Arts
 29% (2008)
 32% (2007)
 30% (2006)
 31% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 56% in 2008.

Math
 36% (2008)
 36% (2007)
 30% (2006)
The state average for Math was 61% in 2008.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 4

English Language Arts
 25% (2008)
 31% (2007)
 26% (2006)
 25% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 49% in 2008.

Math
 30% (2008)
 27% (2007)
 26% (2006)
 21% (2005)
The state average for Math was 49% in 2008.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 5

Science
 17% (2008)
 21% (2007)
 19% (2006)
The state average for Science was 50% in 2008.

English Language Arts
 37% (2008)
 40% (2007)
 35% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 61% in 2008.

Math
 33% (2008)
 33% (2007)
 25% (2006)
The state average for Math was 52% in 2008.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 6

English Language Arts
 43% (2008)
 39% (2007)
 36% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 67% in 2008.

Math
 32% (2008)
 29% (2007)
 20% (2006)
 23% (2005)
The state average for Math was 56% in 2008.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 7

English Language Arts
 48% (2008)
 49% (2007)
 43% (2006)
 44% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 69% in 2008.

Math
 28% (2008)
 26% (2007)
 22% (2006)
The state average for Math was 47% in 2008.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 8

Science
 10% (2008)
 8% (2007)
 8% (2006)
The state average for Science was 39% in 2008.

English Language Arts
 57% (2008)
 55% (2007)
 54% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 75% in 2008.

Math
 34% (2008)
 27% (2007)
 23% (2006)
 23% (2005)
The state average for Math was 49% in 2008.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 10

English Language Arts
 58% (2008)
 50% (2007)
 51% (2006)
 38% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 74% in 2008.

Math
 59% (2008)
 55% (2007)
 53% (2006)
 39% (2005)
The state average for Math was 72% in 2008.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

About the tests

  • In 2007-2008 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5 and 8 in science.
  • The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement.
  • The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts.
  • The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

Testing in Massachusetts: An Overview

See Massachusetts' state standards

Compare all elementary, middle, or high schools in this district

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 MCAS Results by Subgroup

Scale: % at or above proficient

Grade 3
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students29%
Female33%
Male26%
African American24%
Asian50%
Hispanic23%
White48%
Economically disadvantaged25%
Not economically disadvantaged46%
Students with disabilities10%
Limited English proficient18%

MathThis District
All Students36%
Female37%
Male35%
African American29%
Asian69%
Hispanic29%
White55%
Economically disadvantaged32%
Not economically disadvantaged49%
Students with disabilities19%
Limited English proficient31%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 4
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students25%
Female28%
Male23%
African American19%
Asian44%
Hispanic20%
White46%
Economically disadvantaged21%
Not economically disadvantaged42%
Students with disabilities6%
Limited English proficient7%

MathThis District
All Students30%
Female30%
Male29%
African American23%
Asian63%
Hispanic24%
White48%
Economically disadvantaged26%
Not economically disadvantaged44%
Students with disabilities11%
Limited English proficient19%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 5
ScienceThis District
All Students17%
Female16%
Male18%
African American10%
Asian42%
Hispanic11%
White39%
Economically disadvantaged13%
Not economically disadvantaged32%
Students with disabilities4%
Limited English proficient5%

English Language ArtsThis District
All Students37%
Female42%
Male31%
African American31%
Asian59%
Hispanic30%
White61%
Economically disadvantaged32%
Not economically disadvantaged54%
Students with disabilities8%
Limited English proficient10%

MathThis District
All Students33%
Female33%
Male32%
African American23%
Asian72%
Hispanic25%
White55%
Economically disadvantaged30%
Not economically disadvantaged44%
Students with disabilities10%
Limited English proficient15%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 6
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students43%
Female50%
Male37%
African American37%
Asian71%
Hispanic38%
White60%
Economically disadvantaged39%
Not economically disadvantaged60%
Students with disabilities12%
Limited English proficient10%

MathThis District
All Students32%
Female34%
Male30%
African American22%
Asian75%
Hispanic28%
White48%
Economically disadvantaged29%
Not economically disadvantaged46%
Students with disabilities8%
Limited English proficient10%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 7
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students48%
Female57%
Male39%
African American39%
Asian70%
Hispanic40%
White75%
Economically disadvantaged42%
Not economically disadvantaged66%
Students with disabilities9%
Limited English proficient7%

MathThis District
All Students28%
Female31%
Male26%
African American17%
Asian71%
Hispanic19%
White57%
Economically disadvantaged22%
Not economically disadvantaged45%
Students with disabilities4%
Limited English proficient7%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 8
ScienceThis District
All Students10%
Female9%
Male11%
African American5%
Asian28%
Hispanic5%
White24%
Economically disadvantaged6%
Not economically disadvantaged19%
Students with disabilities1%
Limited English proficient2%

English Language ArtsThis District
All Students57%
Female62%
Male51%
African American49%
Asian76%
Hispanic51%
White79%
Economically disadvantaged51%
Not economically disadvantaged70%
Students with disabilities17%
Limited English proficient10%

MathThis District
All Students34%
Female35%
Male33%
African American22%
Asian74%
Hispanic26%
White57%
Economically disadvantaged28%
Not economically disadvantaged48%
Students with disabilities6%
Limited English proficient11%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Grade 10
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students58%
Female64%
Male51%
African American48%
Asian80%
Hispanic50%
White79%
Economically disadvantaged54%
Not economically disadvantaged64%
Students with disabilities19%
Limited English proficient18%

MathThis District
All Students59%
Female61%
Male57%
African American46%
Asian92%
Hispanic54%
White80%
Economically disadvantaged57%
Not economically disadvantaged62%
Students with disabilities19%
Limited English proficient41%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

About the tests

  • In 2007-2008 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5 and 8 in science.
  • The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement.
  • The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts.
  • The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.
  • The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

Testing in Massachusetts: An Overview

See Massachusetts' state standards

Compare all elementary, middle, or high schools in this district

Back to top >
 MCAS STE Results

Scale: % at or above proficient

Biology
 32% (2008)
 28% (2007)
The state average for Biology was 55% in 2008.

Introductory Physics
 13% (2008)
 18% (2007)
The state average for Introductory Physics was 55% in 2008.

Chemistry
 5% (2008)
 29% (2007)
The state average for Chemistry was 36% in 2008.

Technology/Engineering
 41% (2008)
 22% (2007)
The state average for Technology/Engineering was 47% in 2008.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

About the tests

  • In 2007-2008 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System Science and Technology/Engineering Tests (MCAS STE) to test students in high school in biology, chemistry, introductory physics and technology/engineering.
  • Beginning with the class of 2010, the MCAS STE will be a high school graduation requirement.
  • The MCAS STE is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts.
  • The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

Testing in Massachusetts: An Overview

See Massachusetts' state standards

Back to top >
 MCAS STE Results by Subgroup

Scale: % at or above proficient


BiologyThis District
All Students32%
Female34%
Male28%
African American16%
Asian65%
Hispanic18%
White67%
Economically disadvantaged23%
Not economically disadvantaged44%
Students with disabilities2%
Limited English proficient13%

Introductory PhysicsThis District
All Students13%
Female12%
Male15%
African American9%
Asian38%
Hispanic13%
White23%
Economically disadvantaged13%
Not economically disadvantaged15%
Students with disabilities4%
Limited English proficient5%

ChemistryThis District
All Students5%
Female6%
Male4%
African American4%
Asian54%
Hispanic3%
White15%
Economically disadvantaged5%
Not economically disadvantaged6%
Students with disabilities0%
Limited English proficient9%

Technology/EngineeringThis District
All Students41%
Female40%
Male42%
African American23%
Asian64%
Hispanic41%
White72%
Economically disadvantaged36%
Not economically disadvantaged50%
Students with disabilities24%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

About the tests

  • In 2007-2008 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System Science and Technology/Engineering Tests (MCAS STE) to test students in high school in biology, chemistry, introductory physics and technology/engineering.
  • Beginning with the class of 2010, the MCAS STE will be a high school graduation requirement.
  • The MCAS STE is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts.
  • The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.
  • The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

Testing in Massachusetts: An Overview

See Massachusetts' state standards

Back to top >
 Teachers

 
Student-Teacher Ratio
Information about this data
Source: NCES, 2005-2006
 This DistrictState Average
Students per FTE teacher1213
How Important is Class Size? >
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 Students

 
Student Ethnicity
Information about this data
Source: NCES, 2005-2006
EthnicityThis DistrictState Average
Black, not Hispanic43%8%
Hispanic33%13%
White, not Hispanic14%72%
Asian/Pacific Islander9%5%
American Indian/Alaskan Native<1%<1%
How Important is Cultural Diversity at Your School? >
Student Economic Level
Information about this data
Source: NCES, 2005-2006
 This DistrictState Average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program73%28%
The Achievement Gap: Is Your School Helping All Students? >
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 Spending Per Pupil

 
Spending Per Pupil
Information about this data
 This DistrictState Average
Total per pupil expenditures$18,554$12,808
Breakdown By Expenditure  
Instructional61%63%
Student and staff support13%10%
Administration7%8%
Other expenditures19%18%
Source: NCES, 2005-2006
School Finance: Issues to Consider >
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Tips and Advice by Grade Level
Tips and Advice for Your Kindergartener Tips and Advice for Your First-Grader Tips and Advice for Your Second-Grader
Tips and Advice for Your Third-Grader Tips and Advice for Your Fourth-Grader Tips and Advice for Your Fifth-Grader