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Very Good

#448 of 1,791 schools in MA

Top 25% in state

Alice M Barrows

Elementary School · Reading

16 Edgemont Avenue, Reading, MA 01867

Enrollment

356

Student-Teacher

14.8:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Reading

#5 of 9

public schools

Massachusetts elementary schools

#277 of 1,022

In district

#5 of 9

Reading

Academic growth

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Alice M Barrows

Alice M Barrows is a public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Reading, Massachusetts. With 356 students and 24 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1, providing a reasonably sized learning environment. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1/10 and ranks #444 out of 1,796 Massachusetts schools, placing it in the 75th percentile statewide.

Academically, Alice M Barrows scores 8.1/10, with students showing solid performance across subjects. In science, 69% of students score proficient or above, while 67% meet proficiency benchmarks in ELA/reading and 65% in math. These results suggest the school provides a balanced instructional program with particular strength in science.

The school is situated in a large suburban setting, creating a community-oriented atmosphere typical of the Reading area. Families choosing Alice M Barrows can expect a neighborhood school with accessible academics and a collaborative student-to-teacher dynamic that supports early elementary learning through the upper elementary grades.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change-0.26 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.9Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Math vs. State Avg+14.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+19.4 pts
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected+0.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,744

Alice M Barrows — Students at Alice M Barrows score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 64.3%
School
State
43.0%
ELA Proficiency 66.6%
School
State
45.6%

Based on 60 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2018
Math
61.3%
ELA
66.3%
2019
Math
70.3%
ELA
71.3%
2021*
Math
62.5%
ELA
73.3%
2022
Math
59%
ELA
62%
2023
Math
58.7%
ELA
63.3%
2024
Math
71.3%
ELA
63.7%
2025
Math
67.7%
ELA
64%

* 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: 8.9/10.

How Alice M Barrows Compares

See how Alice M Barrows performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
75th percentile in MA
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
8.9/10
Above average
Environment
2.8/10
Below average

Location

16 Edgemont Avenue, Reading, MA 01867

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Alice M Barrows may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Joshua Eaton (rated 8.1/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is J Warren Killam (rated 7.6/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Walton (rated 7.6/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Wakefield), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Reading, see our Reading schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
READING MONTESSORI SCHOOL Reading 0.5 mi
AUSTIN PREPARATORY SCHOOL Reading 0.6 mi 3.7
Walter S Parker Middle Reading 0.4 mi 7.2
Joshua Eaton Reading 0.8 mi 8.1
Birch Meadow Reading 1.3 mi 6.7
Reading Memorial High Reading 1.2 mi 7.7
RISE PreSchool Reading 1.2 mi 6.2
Arthur W Coolidge Middle Reading 1.4 mi 7.4
Wood End Elementary School Reading 2.2 mi 7.5
Robin Hood Stoneham 2.1 mi 6.0
John F Kennedy Middle School Woburn 2.3 mi 5.7
J Warren Killam Reading 2.2 mi 7.6
Mary D Altavesta Woburn 2.1 mi 4.5
Linscott-Rumford Woburn 2.2 mi 4.2
Walton Wakefield 2.2 mi 7.6
Malcolm White Woburn 2.7 mi 5.9
Goodyear Elementary School Woburn 2.9 mi 3.8
TENDER LEARNING CENTRE Wilmington 2.4 mi
Woburn High Woburn 2.8 mi 6.2
Hurld-Wyman Elementary School Woburn 2.7 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 01867 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$163,407

Median Home Value

$741,100

Median Rent

$1,722/mo

Population

25,474

College Educated

65%

Homeownership

83%

Avg Commute

30.6 min

Poverty Rate

2.7%

Median Age

44.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Alice M Barrows 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.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Brackett Arlington, MA 7.4
Clark St Community Worcester, MA 7.4
Conservatory Lab Charter School Dorchester, MA 7.4
F A Cleveland Norwood, MA 7.4
Fort River Elementary Amherst, MA 7.4
Liberty Braintree, MA 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Alice M Barrows

What grades does Alice M Barrows serve?

Alice M Barrows serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Alice M Barrows?

Alice M Barrows has an enrollment of approximately 356 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Alice M Barrows?

The student-teacher ratio at Alice M Barrows is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Alice M Barrows rank in MA?

Alice M Barrows is ranked #448 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is Alice M Barrows's MySchoolScout rating?

Alice M Barrows has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Alice M Barrows?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Alice M Barrows has 64.3% math proficiency and 66.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Alice M Barrows a charter school?

No, Alice M Barrows is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Alice M Barrows a Title I school?

No, Alice M Barrows is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
20 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (572/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Reading). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Middlesex County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Reading
District Enrollment
3,850
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,138
District Rank
#5 of 9

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 methodology

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