Best Schools in Lowell, Massachusetts
35 schools · 22 Elementary · 7 Middle · 4 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Lowell?
Use this page to compare every school in Lowell 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.
Peter W Reilly
Elementary · Lowell. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
James S Daley Middle School
Middle · Lowell. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Bartlett Community Partnership
Elementary · Lowell. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Lowell for 2026 are Peter W Reilly (8.2/10), James S Daley Middle School (8.0/10), and Bartlett Community Partnership (7.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 33 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
35
29 public · 6 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$346,100
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Schools
35
29 public · 6 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$346,100
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Lowell
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (33 of 35). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peter W Reilly | 8.2 / 10 |
| 2 | James S Daley Middle School | 8.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Bartlett Community Partnership | 7.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Kathryn P. Stoklosa Middle School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Dr Gertrude Bailey | 6.9 / 10 |
| 6 | B.f. Butler Middle School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Leblanc Therapeutic Day School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 8 | Ste Jeanne D'arc Elementary School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 9 | Charlotte M Murkland Elementary | 6.7 / 10 |
| 10 | Joseph Mcavinnue | 6.7 / 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
- 5.7/10
- Median household income
- $73,219
- Median home value
- $346,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 28%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 48%
12% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Lowell compares
Massachusetts rank
#164 of 238
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.6
below Massachusetts avg (6.3)
Median household income
$73k
64% of Massachusetts median
Schools in this city
34
About Schools in Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell's public schools include 28 ranked institutions with a city-wide average of 5.5 out of 10. That score reflects real variation across the system — from solid performers to schools well below the midpoint. Only 2 schools, or 7% of the ranked total, score a 7 or higher, which means parents searching for top performers are working with a short list.
Peter W. Reilly is Lowell's standout, earning a 7.7 and ranking as the highest-scoring public school in the city. James S. Daley Middle School follows at 7.6 — a strong result and Lowell's highest-ranked middle school in the data. Together, these are the only two schools that clear the 7-point threshold. Everything else in the ranked system rates 6.9 or below, leaving a visible gap between the top tier and the rest of the field.
The next group clusters at 6.9: Dr. Gertrude Bailey Elementary and Cardinal O'Connell Early Learning Center both reach that mark, with Charlotte M. Murkland Elementary close behind at 6.6. For families who don't land in the Peter W. Reilly attendance zone, these schools represent the strongest alternatives, particularly at the elementary level. Cardinal O'Connell's 6.9 rating makes it a top option for parents placing younger children in the system.
For parents benchmarking Lowell against peer communities, the 5.5 average and the 7% top-tier share are the numbers that tell the real story. The 2.2-point gap between the city's top school (7.7) and the city average (5.5) is large enough that where a child is enrolled matters concretely. Families should research attendance zone boundaries and the district's transfer or school choice process well before enrollment season. The clearest path through Lowell's public system runs through Peter W. Reilly for elementary years and James S. Daley Middle School — the only two schools in the city scoring above 7.
Elementary Schools
22 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 461 students · Pre-K–4th | 8.2 |
| 2 | 480 students · Pre-K–8th | 7.4 |
| 3 | 443 students · Pre-K–4th | 6.9 |
| 4 | 436 students · Pre-K–4th | 6.7 |
| 5 | 429 students · Pre-K–4th | 6.7 |
| 6 | 489 students · Pre-K–4th | 6.6 |
| 7 | 858 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.2 |
| 8 | 464 students · Pre-K–8th | 5.8 |
| 9 | 248 students · Pre-K–4th | 5.7 |
| 10 | 457 students · Pre-K–4th | 5.2 |
Show all 22 elementary schools in Lowell
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 680 students · 5th–8th | 8.0 |
| 2 | 625 students · 5th–8th | 7.1 |
| 3 | 505 students · 5th–8th | 6.8 |
| 4 | 617 students · 5th–8th | 6.2 |
| 5 | 592 students · 5th–8th | 5.7 |
| 6 | 658 students · 5th–8th | 4.2 |
| 7 | 16 students · 4th–8th | — |
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 36 students · 9th–12th | 6.8 |
| 2 | 3,402 students · 9th–12th | 4.5 |
| 3 | 92 students · 9th–12th | 4.3 |
| 4 | 106 students · 9th–12th | 3.8 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 104 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.5 |
| 2 | 1,211 students · Kindergarten–12th | 2.8 |
Schools in Lowell
Lowell, Massachusetts · 35 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 5 ZIP codes
Median Income
$73,219
Median Home Value
$346,100
Median Rent
$1,465/mo
Population
127,513
College Educated
28%
Homeownership
48%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
15.6%
Community Profile
Lowell has a median household income of $73,219. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $346,100, with a median rent of $1,465/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.6%. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Massachusetts
- Elementary
- 22
- Middle
- 7
- High
- 4
- Other
- 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 Lowell, Massachusetts
How many schools are in Lowell, Massachusetts?
Lowell has 35 schools, including 29 public and 6 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Lowell, Massachusetts?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Lowell is 5.7 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 Lowell, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked school in Lowell on MySchoolScout is Peter W Reilly with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Lowell, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked elementary school in Lowell on MySchoolScout is Peter W Reilly with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Lowell, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked middle school in Lowell on MySchoolScout is James S Daley Middle School with a composite score of 8.0/10.
What is the best high school in Lowell, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked high school in Lowell on MySchoolScout is Leblanc Therapeutic Day School with a composite score of 6.8/10.
How many school districts serve Lowell, Massachusetts?
Lowell is served by 4 school districts: Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter (district), Lowell Community Charter Public (district), Collegiate Charter School of Lowell (district), Lowell.
What is the education level in Lowell, Massachusetts?
According to Census data, 28% of adults in Lowell have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Lowell, Massachusetts?
The median household income in Lowell is approximately $73,219 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Lowell, Massachusetts?
Yes, Lowell has 6 private schools alongside 29 public schools. The top-rated private school is Ste Jeanne D'arc Elementary School with a score of 6.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Lowell, Massachusetts?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Lowell is 11.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Lowell, 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.