Best Schools in Boston, Massachusetts
31 schools · 12 Elementary · 2 Middle · 13 High · 4 Other
Choosing a school in Boston?
Use this page to compare every school in Boston by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Eliot K-8 Innovation School
Elementary · Boston. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Quincy Elementary School
Elementary · Boston. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Boston Latin School
High · Boston. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Boston for 2026 are Eliot K-8 Innovation School (9.4/10), Quincy Elementary School (9.0/10), and Boston Latin School (7.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 15 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
31
15 public · 16 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$834,960
home value · ACS
Districts
6
serving the city
Schools
31
15 public · 16 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$834,960
home value · ACS
Districts
6
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Boston
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 15 rated schools; 31 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eliot K-8 Innovation School | 9.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Quincy Elementary School | 9.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Boston Latin School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Up Academy Charter School of Dorchester | 6.4 / 10 |
| 5 | Quincy Upper School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 6 | Dudley Street Neighborhood Charter School | 5.9 / 10 |
| 7 | Melvin H. King South End Academy | 5.8 / 10 |
| 8 | Boston Arts Academy | 5.8 / 10 |
| 9 | Blackstone Elementary School | 5.7 / 10 |
| 10 | Match Charter Public School | 5.2 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.5/10
- Median household income
- $99,864
- Median home value
- $834,960
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 58%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 38%
38% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Boston compares
Massachusetts rank
#112 of 241
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.2
above Massachusetts avg (6.3)
Median household income
$100k
88% of Massachusetts median
Schools in this city
29
Boston runs 67% of Boston's public schools
Boston touches 6 districts, but Boston is the one most addresses actually attend.
Boston accounts for 10 of 15 public schools (67%). The other 5 districts hold the remaining 5.
Among 15 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.0 to 9.4 — the spread is inside Boston, not a citywide average.
- Boston10 public · 67%
- Dudley Street Neighborhood Charter School (district)1 public · 7%
- Edward M. Kennedy Academy For Health Careers (horace Mann Ch1 public · 7%
- Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public (district)1 public · 7%
- Match Charter Public School (district)1 public · 7%
About Schools in Boston, Massachusetts
Boston's public school landscape gives parents 15 ranked schools to evaluate, with an average score of 6.5 out of 10. That average sits in solidly mid-range territory — functional but uneven. The spread matters more than the mean: only 4 of the 15 schools, or 27%, score 7 or above, which means strong options exist but require deliberate searching. The ceiling, however, is genuinely high.
The standout is Eliot K-8 Innovation School, scoring a near-perfect 9.8 and setting the bar for elementary education in the city. Quincy Elementary follows at 9.2, making Boston's elementary tier notably competitive — two of the city's top three performers serve younger students. For families with high schoolers, Quincy Upper School (8.2) and Boston Latin School (7.8) are the clearest options above the 7-point threshold. Both rank among the top four citywide, and Quincy Upper holds a narrow edge on the overall score.
Below the top tier, performance falls more sharply than the city-wide average suggests. With 11 of 15 schools scoring under 7, families researching middle or lower-rated options should examine individual academic metrics rather than treating the 6.5 average as a reliable benchmark. Melvin H. King South End Academy rounds out the top five at 6.7, sitting just above that average and representing a reasonable option for families in the South End corridor.
The practical picture for parents: Boston rewards early research and specific school targeting. The elementary tier is the strongest entry point — Eliot and Quincy Elementary both score in the 9s, and placement at either sets up a competitive foundation. The high school pathway through Quincy Upper or Boston Latin is well-defined for academically ready students, but the 27% rate of high-performing schools means demand for top seats is real. Families should confirm current enrollment policies, lottery timelines, and any grade-band restrictions before assuming access — particularly for innovation and exam schools, where admissions criteria differ significantly from standard district assignments.
Elementary Schools
12 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 792 students · Pre-K–8th | 9.4 | ||
| 2 | 733 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.0 | ||
| 3 | 578 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.4 | ||
| 4 | 288 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.9 | ||
| 5 | 581 students · Pre-K–6th | 5.7 | ||
| 6 | 349 students · Pre-K–8th | 4.5 | ||
Private Schools6 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Kingsley Montessori SchoolPrivate 184 students · Pre-K–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 118 students · Kindergarten–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | The Advent SchoolPrivate 161 students · Pre-K–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | Park Street SchoolPrivate 162 students · Pre-K–6th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 12 elementary schools in Boston
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 95 students · 6th–8th | 4.6 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Beacon Academy IncPrivate 21 students · 8th–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
13 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,401 students · 7th–12th | 7.8 | ||
| 2 | 532 students · 6th–12th | 6.4 | ||
| 3 | 473 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 | ||
| 4 | 375 students · 9th–12th | 4.5 | ||
| 5 | 445 students · 9th–12th | 4.2 | ||
| 6 | 308 students · 9th–12th | 4.0 | ||
Private Schools7 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Commonwealth SchoolPrivate 154 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | The Newman SchoolPrivate 251 students · 7th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Boston Trinity AcademyPrivate 238 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | The Winsor SchoolPrivate 475 students · 5th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 13 high schools in Boston
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 134 students · 2nd–12th | 5.8 | ||
| 2 | 1,185 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.2 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 256 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 481 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Boston
Boston, Massachusetts · 31 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 15 ZIP codes
Median Income
$99,864
Median Home Value
$834,960
Median Rent
$2,089/mo
Population
359,508
College Educated
58%
Homeownership
38%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
18.2%
Community Profile
Boston has a median household income of $99,864. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $834,960, with a median rent of $2,089/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.2%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Massachusetts
- Elementary
- 12
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 13
- Other
- 4
Resources
School Districts (6)
Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers (Horace Mann Ch
1 school · 375 students
MATCH Charter Public School (District)
1 school · 1,185 students
Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public (District)
1 school · 95 students
Dudley Street Neighborhood Charter School (District)
1 school · 288 students
UP Academy Charter School of Dorchester (District)
1 school · 578 students
Boston
109 schools · 45,742 students
Other Major Cities in Massachusetts
Top metros statewide by school count.
Featured Rankings
See our in-depth rankings with interactive maps, score breakdowns, and school spotlights.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Boston, Massachusetts
How many schools are in Boston, Massachusetts?
Boston has 31 schools, including 15 public and 16 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Boston, Massachusetts?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Boston is 6.5 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Boston, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked school in Boston on MySchoolScout is Eliot K-8 Innovation School with a composite score of 9.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Boston, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked elementary school in Boston on MySchoolScout is Eliot K-8 Innovation School with a composite score of 9.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Boston, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked middle school in Boston on MySchoolScout is Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School with a composite score of 4.6/10.
What is the best high school in Boston, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked high school in Boston on MySchoolScout is Boston Latin School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
How many school districts serve Boston, Massachusetts?
Boston is served by 6 school districts: Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers (horace Mann Ch, Match Charter Public School (district), Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public (district), Dudley Street Neighborhood Charter School (district), Up Academy Charter School of Dorchester (district), Boston.
What is the education level in Boston, Massachusetts?
According to Census data, 58% of adults in Boston have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Boston, Massachusetts?
The median household income in Boston is approximately $99,864 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Boston, Massachusetts?
Yes, Boston has 16 private schools alongside 15 public schools. The top-rated private school is Kingsley Montessori School with a score of 8.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Boston, Massachusetts?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Boston is 8.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Boston, Massachusetts?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Mass. Dept. of Elementary & Secondary Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.