Best Schools in Needham, Massachusetts
11 schools · 6 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 8.0/10
- Median household income
- $197,907
- Median home value
- $1,114,850
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 79%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 82%
90% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Needham compares
Massachusetts rank
#7 of 238
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.7
above Massachusetts avg (6.3)
Median household income
$198k
174% of Massachusetts median
Schools in this city
10
About Schools in Needham, Massachusetts
Needham, Massachusetts is home to 11 schools, including 8 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 8.0 out of 10, schools in Needham perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
The highest-performing school in Needham is Newman Elementary with a composite score of 9.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Needham is served by 1 school district: Needham. These districts collectively serve 5,541 students.
Needham's community shows 79% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $197,907. The poverty rate in the area is 3.5%.
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
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 698 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.0 | ||
| 2 | 402 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.7 | ||
| 3 | 439 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.5 | ||
| 4 | 522 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.5 | ||
| 5 | 531 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.0 | ||
| 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 | ST JOSEPH SCHOOL
Private
446 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 447 students · 6th–6th | 8.6 |
| 2 | 880 students · 7th–8th | 8.5 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,622 students · 9th–12th | 9.0 | ||
| 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 | RIVERSIDE SCHOOL
Private
4 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | WALKER SCHOOL
Private
72 students · UG–UG | Not Rated |
Schools in Needham
Needham, Massachusetts · 11 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$197,907
Median Home Value
$1,114,850
Median Rent
$2,354/mo
Population
32,059
College Educated
79%
Homeownership
82%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
3.5%
Community Profile
Needham has a median household income of $197,907. It is a well-educated community where 79% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,114,850, with a median rent of $2,354/month. The local poverty rate of 3.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- Massachusetts
- Total Schools
- 11
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
- Districts
- 1
- Avg Rating
- 8.0/10
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Massachusetts
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Needham, Massachusetts
How many schools are in Needham, Massachusetts?
Needham has 11 schools, including 8 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Needham, Massachusetts?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Needham is 8.0 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Needham, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked school in Needham on MySchoolScout is Newman Elementary with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Needham, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked elementary school in Needham on MySchoolScout is Newman Elementary with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Needham, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked middle school in Needham on MySchoolScout is High Rock School with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best high school in Needham, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked high school in Needham on MySchoolScout is Needham High with a composite score of 9.0/10.
How many school districts serve Needham, Massachusetts?
Needham is served by 1 school district: Needham.
What is the education level in Needham, Massachusetts?
According to Census data, 79% of adults in Needham have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Needham, Massachusetts?
The median household income in Needham is approximately $197,907 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Needham, Massachusetts?
Yes, Needham has 3 private schools alongside 8 public schools. The top-rated private school is Walker School with a score of 8.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Needham, Massachusetts?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Needham is 11.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Needham, 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
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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.