Average
#1318 of 1,791 schools in MA
Alexander B Bruce
Middle School · Lawrence
135 Butler Street, Lawrence, MA 01841
Enrollment
416
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
5.2
Grades
3rd – 8th
Enrollment
416
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
5.2
Grades
3rd – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lawrence
#16 of 29
public schools
Massachusetts middle schools
#225 of 305
In district
#15 of 26
Lawrence
School environment
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Alexander B Bruce
Alexander B Bruce is a middle school located in Lawrence, Massachusetts, serving students from third to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 416 students and a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each child succeed. The dedicated faculty includes 43 full-time equivalent teachers who work tirelessly to support their students' academic and social growth.
While Alexander B Bruce currently ranks in the lower half of schools in Massachusetts according to MySchoolScout's rating system (with a score of 3 out of 10), the school is focused on fostering student development beyond just test scores. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 19%, Math at 17%, and Science at 13%. These numbers highlight areas where there is room for improvement, but they also serve as a foundation upon which the school can build stronger academic programs.
Set in a large suburban area of Lawrence, Alexander B Bruce is part of a vibrant community that values education and supports its young learners.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, Alexander B Bruce offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Alexander B Bruce — Students at Alexander B Bruce score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 108 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.4/10.
How Alexander B Bruce Compares
See how Alexander B Bruce performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 26% (2019) to 14% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 16% (2022).
Location
135 Butler Street, Lawrence, MA 01841
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Alexander B Bruce may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. BLESSED STEPHEN BELLESINI O.S.A. ACADEMY (rated 5.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Oliver Middle School (rated 5.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Guilmette Middle School (rated 4.9/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Lawrence, see our Lawrence schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lawrence Family Public Academy Lawrence | 0.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Gerard A. Guilmette Lawrence | 0.3 mi | 3.6 |
| Guilmette Middle School Lawrence | 0.3 mi | 4.9 |
| James F Hennessey Lawrence | 0.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Lawrence Family Development Charter School Lawrence | 0.5 mi | 3.2 |
| BLESSED STEPHEN BELLESINI O.S.A. ACADEMY Lawrence | 0.7 mi | 5.6 |
| RISE Academy Lawrence | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Oliver Elementary School Lawrence | 0.9 mi | 2.5 |
| Arlington Middle School Lawrence | 1.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Arlington Elementary Lawrence | 1.0 mi | 2.9 |
| GLCAC CHILD CARE CENTER Lawrence | 1.0 mi | — |
| ST ANN'S HOME Methuen | 0.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Emily G Wetherbee Lawrence | 0.9 mi | 5.3 |
| John K Tarbox Lawrence | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Gr Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical Andover | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Francis M Leahy Lawrence | 1.0 mi | 4.3 |
| School for Exceptional Studies Lawrence | 1.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Oliver Middle School Lawrence | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
| High School Learning Center Lawrence | 1.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Lawlor Early Childhood Center Lawrence | 1.2 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 01841 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,525
Median Home Value
$393,800
Median Rent
$1,565/mo
Population
52,761
College Educated
14.6%
Homeownership
32.3%
Avg Commute
23.4 min
Poverty Rate
19.2%
Median Age
31.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Alexander B Bruce has a median household income of $54,525. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $393,800, with a median rent of $1,565/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.2%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Frederick W. Hartnett Middle School Blackstone, MA | 5.2 |
| Leicester Middle Leicester, MA | 5.2 |
| Somerset Middle School Somerset, MA | 5.2 |
| South West Middle School Quincy, MA | 5.2 |
| Atlantic Middle Quincy, MA | 5.3 |
| Agawam Junior High Feeding Hills, MA | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Alexander B Bruce
What grades does Alexander B Bruce serve?
Alexander B Bruce serves students in grades 3rd through 8th.
How many students attend Alexander B Bruce?
Alexander B Bruce has an enrollment of approximately 416 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Alexander B Bruce?
The student-teacher ratio at Alexander B Bruce is 9.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Alexander B Bruce rank in MA?
Alexander B Bruce is ranked #1318 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Alexander B Bruce's MySchoolScout rating?
Alexander B Bruce has a composite rating of 5.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Alexander B Bruce?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Alexander B Bruce has 18.0% math proficiency and 20.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Alexander B Bruce a charter school?
No, Alexander B Bruce is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Alexander B Bruce a Title I school?
No, Alexander B Bruce is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,440/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lawrence). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 8th
- Enrollment
- 416
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Essex County
- Phone
- (978) 975-5935
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lawrence- District Enrollment
- 13,008
- Schools in District
- 26
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,208
- District Rank
- #15 of 26
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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