Best Schools in Reading, Massachusetts
11 schools · 6 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Reading?
Use this page to compare every school in Reading 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.
J Warren Killam
Elementary · Reading. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Joshua Eaton
Elementary · Reading. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Wood End Elementary School
Elementary · Reading. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Reading for 2026 are J Warren Killam (8.6/10), Joshua Eaton (8.6/10), and Wood End Elementary School (8.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 9 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
9 public · 2 private
Avg Score
7.5
out of 10
Median Home
$741,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
11
9 public · 2 private
Avg Score
7.5
out of 10
Median Home
$741,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Reading
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (9 of 11). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | J Warren Killam | 8.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Joshua Eaton | 8.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Wood End Elementary School | 8.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Alice M Barrows | 8.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Arthur W Coolidge Middle | 8.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Reading Memorial High | 8.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Walter S Parker Middle | 8.1 / 10 |
| 8 | Birch Meadow | 7.8 / 10 |
| 9 | Austin Preparatory School | 3.7 / 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
- 7.5/10
- Median household income
- $163,407
- Median home value
- $741,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 65%
- Avg commute
- 31 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 83%
80% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Reading compares
Massachusetts rank
#37 of 238
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.2
above Massachusetts avg (6.3)
Median household income
$163k
144% of Massachusetts median
Schools in this city
10
About Schools in Reading, Massachusetts
Reading, Massachusetts is home to 11 schools, including 9 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 7.5 out of 10, schools in Reading 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 Reading is J Warren Killam with a composite score of 8.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Reading is served by 1 school district: Reading. These districts collectively serve 3,850 students.
Reading's community shows 65% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $163,407. The poverty rate in the area is 2.7%.
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 | 421 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.6 | ||
| 2 | 392 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.6 | ||
| 3 | 249 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.5 | ||
| 4 | 356 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.3 | ||
| 5 | 371 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 | Reading Montessori School
Private
8 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | — | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 403 students · 6th–8th | 8.2 |
| 2 | 451 students · 6th–8th | 8.1 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,097 students · 9th–12th | 8.2 | ||
| 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 | Austin Preparatory School
Private
775 students · 6th–12th | 3.7 | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 110 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.2 |
Schools in Reading
Reading, Massachusetts · 11 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$163,407
Median Home Value
$741,100
Median Rent
$1,722/mo
Population
25,474
College Educated
65%
Homeownership
83%
Avg Commute
31 min
Poverty Rate
2.7%
Community Profile
Reading has a median household income of $163,407. It is a well-educated community where 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $741,100, with a median rent of $1,722/month. The local poverty rate of 2.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 Reading, Massachusetts
How many schools are in Reading, Massachusetts?
Reading has 11 schools, including 9 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Reading, Massachusetts?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Reading is 7.5 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 Reading, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked school in Reading on MySchoolScout is J Warren Killam with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Reading, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked elementary school in Reading on MySchoolScout is J Warren Killam with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Reading, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked middle school in Reading on MySchoolScout is Arthur W Coolidge Middle with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best high school in Reading, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked high school in Reading on MySchoolScout is Reading Memorial High with a composite score of 8.2/10.
How many school districts serve Reading, Massachusetts?
Reading is served by 1 school district: Reading.
What is the education level in Reading, Massachusetts?
According to Census data, 65% of adults in Reading have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Reading, Massachusetts?
The median household income in Reading is approximately $163,407 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Reading, Massachusetts?
Yes, Reading has 2 private schools alongside 9 public schools. The top-rated private school is Austin Preparatory School with a score of 3.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Reading, Massachusetts?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Reading is 12.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Reading, 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.