For the 2025 school year, there are 10 public schools serving 5,709 students in Waltham, MA (there are 4 private schools, serving 956 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, Waltham Sr High School and John F Kennedy Middle 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 39% (versus the Massachusetts public school average of 42%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in Waltham have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Massachusetts public schools.
Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Massachusetts public school average of 47% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Waltham, MA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Douglas Macarthur Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
494 Lincoln Street
Waltham, MA 02451
(781) 314-5721
Waltham, MA 02451
(781) 314-5721
Grades: K-5
| 475 students
Rank: #22.
Waltham Sr High School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
617 Lexington Street
Waltham, MA 02452
(781) 314-5445
Waltham, MA 02452
(781) 314-5445
Grades: 9-12
| 1,816 students
Rank: #33.
John F Kennedy Middle School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
655 Lexington St
Waltham, MA 02452
(781) 314-5563
Waltham, MA 02452
(781) 314-5563
Grades: 6-8
| 628 students
Rank: #44.
James Fitzgerald Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
138 Beal Road
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5685
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5685
Grades: K-5
| 354 students
Rank: #55.
William F. Stanley Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
250 South Street
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5620
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5620
Grades: PK-5
| 376 students
Rank: #66.
John W. Mcdevitt Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
75 Church Street
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5595
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5595
Grades: 6-8
| 604 students
Rank: #77.
Thomas R Plympton Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
20 Farnsworth Street
Waltham, MA 02451
(781) 314-5765
Waltham, MA 02451
(781) 314-5765
Grades: K-5
| 352 students
Rank: #88.
Northeast Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
70 Putney Lane
Waltham, MA 02452
(781) 314-5740
Waltham, MA 02452
(781) 314-5740
Grades: PK-5
| 500 students
Rank: #99.
Waltham Public Schools Dual Language Program
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
510 Moody Street
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5402
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5402
Grades: K-5
| 218 students
Rank: #1010.
Henry Whittemore Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
30 Parmenter Road
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5785
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5785
Grades: K-5
| 386 students
Waltham, Massachusetts Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
14 Ash Street
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5665
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5665
Grades: 5-6
| 281 students
260 Grove Street
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5645
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5645
Grades: K-5
| 118 students
258 Trapelo Rd
Waltham, MA 02452
(781) 314-5654
Waltham, MA 02452
(781) 314-5654
Grades: PK
| 81 students
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, Waltham Sr High School and John F Kennedy Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Waltham?
10 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 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Massachusetts public schools average of 47% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Waltham are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Waltham include: Douglas Macarthur Elementary School vs. Northeast Elementary School, Henry Whittemore Elementary School vs. James Fitzgerald Elementary School, James Fitzgerald Elementary School vs. Northeast Elementary School
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