Best Schools in Gloucester, Massachusetts
7 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Gloucester?
Use this page to compare every school in Gloucester 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.
Ralph B O'maley Middle
Middle · Gloucester. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Plum Cove School
Elementary · Gloucester. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Gloucester High
High · Gloucester. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Gloucester for 2026 are Ralph B O'maley Middle (6.5/10), Plum Cove School (6.0/10), and Gloucester High (5.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 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
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$587,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$587,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Gloucester
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 rated schools; 7 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ralph B O'maley Middle | 6.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Plum Cove School | 6.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Gloucester High | 5.6 / 10 |
| 4 | West Parish | 4.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Beeman Memorial | 3.9 / 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
- 5.5/10
- Median household income
- $87,898
- Median home value
- $587,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 39%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 63%
17% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Gloucester compares
Massachusetts rank
#184 of 241
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.8
below Massachusetts avg (6.3)
Median household income
$88k
77% of Massachusetts median
Schools in this city
6
Gloucester runs Gloucester's public schools
6 public schools. Gloucester is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Gloucester is a Gloucester school (6 of 6).
Among 5 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.9 to 6.5 — the spread is inside Gloucester, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Gloucester, Massachusetts
Gloucester, Massachusetts is home to 7 schools, including 6 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.5 out of 10, schools in Gloucester show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Gloucester is Gloucester Preschool with a composite score of 7.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Gloucester is served by 1 school district: Gloucester. These districts collectively serve 2,862 students.
Gloucester's community shows 39% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $87,898. 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 | 208 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.0 | ||
| 2 | 370 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.1 | ||
| 3 | 287 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.9 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Faith Christian SchoolPrivate 19 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 626 students · 6th–8th | 6.5 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 807 students · 9th–12th | 5.6 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 114 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 7.2 |
Schools in Gloucester
Gloucester, Massachusetts · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$87,898
Median Home Value
$587,800
Median Rent
$1,395/mo
Population
29,862
College Educated
39%
Homeownership
63%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
10.6%
Community Profile
Gloucester has a median household income of $87,898. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $587,800, with a median rent of $1,395/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.6%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Massachusetts
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
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 Gloucester, Massachusetts
How many schools are in Gloucester, Massachusetts?
Gloucester has 7 schools, including 6 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Gloucester, Massachusetts?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Gloucester is 5.5 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 Gloucester, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked school in Gloucester on MySchoolScout is Ralph B O'maley Middle with a composite score of 6.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Gloucester, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked elementary school in Gloucester on MySchoolScout is Plum Cove School with a composite score of 6.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Gloucester, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked middle school in Gloucester on MySchoolScout is Ralph B O'maley Middle with a composite score of 6.5/10.
What is the best high school in Gloucester, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked high school in Gloucester on MySchoolScout is Gloucester High with a composite score of 5.6/10.
How many school districts serve Gloucester, Massachusetts?
Gloucester is served by 1 school district: Gloucester.
What is the education level in Gloucester, Massachusetts?
According to Census data, 39% of adults in Gloucester have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Gloucester, Massachusetts?
The median household income in Gloucester is approximately $87,898 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Gloucester, Massachusetts?
Yes, Gloucester has 1 private school alongside 6 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Gloucester, Massachusetts?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Gloucester is 10.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Gloucester, 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.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings and parent guides, free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.