The best elementary and middle schools in Mass., according to U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 elementary and middle school rankings are here, and several heavy-hitting Greater Boston districts earned top marks in Massachusetts. 

Weston and Belmont lay claim to the top two elementary schools in the state, while Brookline and perennial list-topper Boston Latin School lead the pack for middle schools. 

The rankings are based on publicly available data from the U.S. Department of Education, according to U.S. News & World Report. 

“The rankings methodology focused on state assessments of students who were proficient or above proficient in mathematics and reading/language arts, while accounting for student background and achievement in core subjects,” the publication explained in a news release. “Student-teacher ratios are applied to break ties in the overall score.”

The 2025 rankings offer parents a way of seeing how schools are providing a high-quality education and preparing students for the future, LaMont Jones, U.S. News managing editor for education, said in a statement. 

“The data empowers families and communities to advocate for their children’s education,” Jones said. “Research continues to indicate that how students perform academically at these early grade levels is a big factor in their success in high school and beyond.”

Massachusetts’ top 10 elementary schools

1. Woodland Elementary School, Weston 
2. Mary Lee Burbank Elementary School, Belmont
3. Swallow Union Elementary School, Groton-Dunstable
4. John D. Hardy Elementary School, Wellesley
5. Benjamin G. Brown School, Somerville
6. Ward Elementary School, Newton
7. Mason-Rice Elementary School, Newton
8. Hunnewell Elementary School, Wellesley
9. Spring Street School, Shrewsbury
10. Albert S. Woodward Memorial School, Southborough

Massachusetts’ top 10 middle schools

1. Pierce School, Brookline
2. Boston Latin School
3. Jonas Clarke Middle School, Lexington
4. William Diamond Middle School, Lexington
5. Lawrence School, Brookline
6. Winthrop L. Chenery Middle School, Belmont
7. High Rock School, Needham
8. Weston Middle School
9. Blanchard Middle School, Westford
10. Lincoln School, Brookline

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Abby Patkin is a general assignment news reporter whose work touches on public transit, crime, health, and everything in between.

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