Best Schools in Chelmsford, Massachusetts
8 schools · 4 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Chelmsford?
Use this page to compare every school in Chelmsford 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.
South Row
Elementary · Chelmsford. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Col Moses Parker School
Middle · Chelmsford. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Mccarthy Middle School
Middle · Chelmsford. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Chelmsford for 2026 are South Row (7.5/10), Col Moses Parker School (6.4/10), and Mccarthy Middle School (6.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 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
8
7 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.3
out of 10
Median Home
$511,500
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
8
7 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.3
out of 10
Median Home
$511,500
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Chelmsford
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 of 8). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Row | 7.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Col Moses Parker School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Mccarthy Middle School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Byam School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Dr. Janice Adie Day School | 4.4 / 10 |
| 6 | Center Elementary School | 3.4 / 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
- 5.3/10
- Median household income
- $114,650
- Median home value
- $511,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 44%
- Avg commute
- 29 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 64%
14% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Chelmsford compares
Massachusetts rank
#192 of 238
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.9
below Massachusetts avg (6.3)
Median household income
$115k
101% of Massachusetts median
Schools in this city
7
About Schools in Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Chelmsford, Massachusetts is home to 8 schools, including 7 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 2 middle schools.
With an average rating of 5.3 out of 10, schools in Chelmsford show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Chelmsford is South Row with a composite score of 7.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Chelmsford is served by 2 school districts: Chelmsford, Lowell. These districts collectively serve 19,403 students.
Chelmsford's community shows 44% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $114,650. The poverty rate in the area is 10.6%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 465 students · Kindergarten–4th | 7.5 | ||
| 2 | 530 students · Kindergarten–4th | 6.1 | ||
| 3 | 466 students · Kindergarten–4th | 3.4 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Greater Visions Childrens Center
Private
10 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | — | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 797 students · 5th–6th | 6.4 |
| 2 | 782 students · 7th–8th | 6.4 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 58 students · Pre-K–12th | 4.4 |
| 2 | 200 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 3.2 |
Schools in Chelmsford
Chelmsford, Massachusetts · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$114,650
Median Home Value
$511,500
Median Rent
$1,881/mo
Population
58,936
College Educated
44%
Homeownership
64%
Avg Commute
29 min
Poverty Rate
10.6%
Community Profile
Chelmsford has a median household income of $114,650. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $511,500, with a median rent of $1,881/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.6%. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Massachusetts
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 2
- Other
- 2
Resources
School Districts (2)
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Massachusetts
Top metros statewide by school count.
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 Chelmsford, Massachusetts
How many schools are in Chelmsford, Massachusetts?
Chelmsford has 8 schools, including 7 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Chelmsford, Massachusetts?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Chelmsford is 5.3 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 Chelmsford, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked school in Chelmsford on MySchoolScout is South Row with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Chelmsford, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked elementary school in Chelmsford on MySchoolScout is South Row with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Chelmsford, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked middle school in Chelmsford on MySchoolScout is Col Moses Parker School with a composite score of 6.4/10.
How many school districts serve Chelmsford, Massachusetts?
Chelmsford is served by 2 school districts: Chelmsford, Lowell.
What is the education level in Chelmsford, Massachusetts?
According to Census data, 44% of adults in Chelmsford have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Chelmsford, Massachusetts?
The median household income in Chelmsford is approximately $114,650 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Chelmsford, Massachusetts?
Yes, Chelmsford has 1 private school alongside 7 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Chelmsford, Massachusetts?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Chelmsford is 12.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Chelmsford, 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.