The top-rated elementary schools in Boston for 2026 are Eliot K-8 Innovation School (9.4/10), Quincy Elementary School (9.0/10), and Up Academy Charter School of Dorchester (6.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 6 elementary schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Boston's ranked elementary landscape covers 6 schools, with performance spread across a wide range — from Eliot K-8 Innovation School at the top with a 9.6/10 down to the mid-5s at the lower end. That gap matters when choosing where to enroll. The average composite score across ranked schools sits at 7.0/10, but only 2 schools — Eliot K-8 Innovation School and Quincy Elementary School — clear that 7+ threshold, meaning strong options are concentrated at the top of the list. Eliot K-8 leads by a significant margin, scoring 9.6 against Quincy's 9.2. Below those two, scores drop sharply into the 6s and 5s. Use the table below to sort by score, school type, or other factors to find the right fit for your child.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Massachusetts education department. Rankings are relative to all public elementary schools in Massachusetts. Learn about our methodology.
Boston
792 students · 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–8th
Top 2% in Massachusetts
Boston
733 students · 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 5% in Massachusetts
Up Academy Charter School of Dorchester (district)
578 students · 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–8th
Top 47% in Massachusetts · charter
Dudley Street Neighborhood Charter School (district)
288 students · 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 57% in Massachusetts · charter
Boston
581 students · 10.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–6th
Top 61% in Massachusetts
Boston
349 students · 14.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–8th
Top 84% in Massachusetts
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Eliot K-8 Innovation School is the top-rated elementary school in Boston with a composite score of 9.4/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
Boston has 12 elementary schools, including 2 charter schools. Of these, 11 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
Among 11 Boston elementary schools with a composite score, the average is 7.1/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Massachusetts).
Schools with enough data receive a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within Massachusetts, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Massachusetts, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Boston has 2 charter elementary schools in its directory. Charter schools that meet this ranking's data requirements are included alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Best schools
Massachusetts consistently ranks among the top states for public education. Explore the highest-rated schools and districts for 2026 across Greater Boston, the South Shore, and Western Mass.