Best 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.