Cambridgeport vs Maria L. Baldwin
Maria L. Baldwin has a higher overall rating of 9.9/10 compared to 9.1/10. In math proficiency, Maria L. Baldwin leads at 62.0%.
Cambridgeport
Cambridge, MA
285 students
Maria L. Baldwin
Cambridge, MA
352 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | Cambridgeport | Maria L. Baldwin |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.1 / 10 | 9.9 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 8.3 | 9.8 |
| Growth Score | 9.2 | 9.9 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| Environment Score | 9.8 | 9.8 |
| State Rank | #42 of 1,791 | #1 of 1,791 |
| State Percentile | 98th | 100th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Cambridgeport | Maria L. Baldwin |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 62.0% | 62.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 67.0% | 72.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
Neighborhood
| Metric | Cambridge (02139) | Cambridge (02138) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $124,648 | $122,040 |
| Median Home Value | $1,066,200 | $1,088,700 |
| Median Rent | $2,613 | $2,799 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 77.6% | 85.6% |
| Poverty Rate | 13.2% | 12.6% |
| Avg Commute | 25 min | 24 min |
The data story: Cambridgeport vs Maria L. Baldwin
Maria L. Baldwin ranks #1 of 1,791 Massachusetts elementary schools with an overall rating of 9.9/10, while Cambridgeport earns a strong #42 of 1,791 at 9.1/10 — an 0.8-point gap that places both schools well inside the state's top 3%, though the distance between them is meaningful. Parents choosing between two schools just 1.3 miles apart in Cambridge are weighing a very good school against one that currently holds the top spot in the entire state.
Maria L. Baldwin's academic score of 9.8/10 outpaces Cambridgeport's 8.3/10 by 1.5 points — the largest numerical gap between these two schools and the figure that drives most of the overall rating difference. On student growth, the schools are closer but Baldwin still leads: 9.9/10 versus Cambridgeport's 9.2/10. Cambridgeport's growth score is notably strong on its own terms, indicating that students there are gaining ground at well-above-average rates even if Baldwin's absolute academic proficiency levels run higher.
Enrollment at Maria L. Baldwin is 352 students versus 285 at Cambridgeport — a difference of 67 students across the same PK–05 grade span. Both schools run small classes by Massachusetts standards; Cambridgeport's student-teacher ratio of 10.6:1 is marginally tighter than Baldwin's 11.0:1, meaning Cambridgeport students get a fractionally higher share of teacher time on average. Neither ratio represents a meaningful staffing disadvantage, but families prioritizing the smallest possible class sizes will find a slight edge at Cambridgeport.
Both Cambridgeport and Maria L. Baldwin serve students in grades PK through 5, so grade-level fit is identical for elementary-age children. The practical decision comes down to academic performance ceiling versus access and community fit. Maria L. Baldwin's #1 state ranking is not a rounding-error lead — it reflects a measurable and consistent gap in tested proficiency that has earned the school a reputation extending well beyond Cambridge. Cambridgeport's position at #42 statewide makes it a top-tier neighborhood school that most districts in Massachusetts would list as their crown jewel.
Editorial summary generated April 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Cambridgeport
Cambridgeport suits families already in its attendance zone who want a top-42 statewide school with a slightly smaller student body and the marginally lower 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Its 9.2/10 growth score signals strong instructional momentum — a good fit for parents who value year-over-year academic progress alongside proximity and community continuity.
Maria L. Baldwin
Maria L. Baldwin is the right choice for families who can access it and prioritize the highest tested academic outcomes available in Cambridge — a 9.8/10 academic score and the #1 ranking out of 1,791 Massachusetts elementary schools are concrete advantages that compound over the full PK–05 span.