Best Schools in Needham, Massachusetts
11 schools · 6 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Needham?
Use this page to compare every school in Needham 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.
Newman Elementary
Elementary · Needham. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
John Eliot
Elementary · Needham. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
William Mitchell
Elementary · Needham. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Needham for 2026 are Newman Elementary (9.6/10), John Eliot (9.3/10), and William Mitchell (9.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 10 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
11
8 public · 3 private
Avg Score
8.4
out of 10
Median Home
$1,114,850
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
11
8 public · 3 private
Avg Score
8.4
out of 10
Median Home
$1,114,850
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Needham
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (10 of 11). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newman Elementary | 9.6 / 10 |
| 2 | John Eliot | 9.3 / 10 |
| 3 | William Mitchell | 9.1 / 10 |
| 4 | High Rock School | 8.9 / 10 |
| 5 | Pollard Middle | 8.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Needham High | 8.7 / 10 |
| 7 | Walker School | 8.6 / 10 |
| 8 | Broadmeadow | 8.5 / 10 |
| 9 | Sunita L. Williams Elementary | 7.8 / 10 |
| 10 | St Joseph School | 4.7 / 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
- 8.4/10
- 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
#5 of 238
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+2.1
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 8.4 out of 10, schools in Needham perform strongly 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 Needham is Newman Elementary with a composite score of 9.6/10, 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 | 9.6 | ||
| 2 | 402 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.3 | ||
| 3 | 439 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.1 | ||
| 4 | 522 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.5 | ||
| 5 | 531 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.8 | ||
| 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 | 4.7 | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 447 students · 6th–6th | 8.9 |
| 2 | 880 students · 7th–8th | 8.7 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,622 students · 9th–12th | 8.7 | ||
| 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 | — | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walker School
Private
72 students · UG–UG | 8.6 |
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.
Schools by Level
- State
- Massachusetts
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
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 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 8.4 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 Needham, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked school in Needham on MySchoolScout is Newman Elementary with a composite score of 9.6/10.
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 9.6/10.
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 8.9/10.
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 8.7/10.
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 8.6/10.
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 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.