Excellent
#89 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 5% in state
Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School
Elementary School · Benjamin Banneker Charter Public (District)
21 Notre Dame Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140
Enrollment
346
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
346
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cambridge
#11 of 20
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#55 of 1,022
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School
Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School is a public elementary school in Cambridge, MA, part of the Benjamin Banneker Charter Public (District). The school serves approximately 346 students in grades Pre-K – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 95.1th percentile among MA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 71% proficiency in math, 28 points above the state average and 75% in reading/language arts, 29 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $136,382, where 79% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a midsize city setting.
What's said publicly about Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
What Parents Should Know
Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School — Students at Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 74 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.9/10.
How Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School Compares
See how Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 77% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 72% (2019) to 72% (2022).
Location
21 Notre Dame Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Maria L. Baldwin (rated 9.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Graham and Parks (rated 9.4/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Haggerty (rated 9.3/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Cambridge, see our Cambridge schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Peabody Cambridge | 0.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Rindge Avenue Upper School Cambridge | 0.2 mi | 9.3 |
| CAMBRIDGE FRIENDS SCHOOL Cambridge | 0.3 mi | 7.4 |
| WILD ROSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Cambridge | 0.3 mi | — |
| THE CAMBRIDGE MATIGNON SCHOOL Cambridge | 0.6 mi | 5.3 |
| ST PETER SCHOOL Cambridge | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Graham and Parks Cambridge | 0.7 mi | 9.4 |
| West Somerville Neighborhood Somerville | 1.0 mi | 8.3 |
| John F Kennedy Somerville | 0.8 mi | 8.9 |
| Maria L. Baldwin Cambridge | 1.0 mi | 9.9 |
| Hardy Arlington | 1.1 mi | 8.7 |
| Benjamin G Brown Somerville | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| BUCKINGHAM BROWNE & NICHOLS SCHOOL Cambridge | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Thompson Arlington | 1.4 mi | 7.7 |
| SHADY HILL SCHOOL Cambridge | 1.5 mi | 7.4 |
| FAYERWEATHER STREET SCHOOL Cambridge | 1.2 mi | 7.5 |
| LESLEY ELLIS SCHOOL Arlington | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Gibbs School Arlington | 1.4 mi | 8.3 |
| ST THERESA SCHOOL Somerville | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Haggerty Cambridge | 1.4 mi | 9.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02140 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$136,382
Median Home Value
$1,070,200
Median Rent
$2,581/mo
Population
21,361
College Educated
78.6%
Homeownership
35.9%
Avg Commute
30.9 min
Poverty Rate
10.8%
Median Age
34.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School has a median household income of $136,382. 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 $1,070,200, with a median rent of $2,581/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.8%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Downey Westwood, MA | 8.7 |
| Greenlodge Dedham, MA | 8.7 |
| Hardy Arlington, MA | 8.7 |
| James Russell Lowell Watertown, MA | 8.7 |
| John Eliot Needham, MA | 8.7 |
| Lillian M Jacobs Hull, MA | 8.7 |
Compare Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
- CompareBenjamin Banneker Charter Public School vs Maria L. BaldwinCambridge, MA Peer score 9.9/10 +1.2 vs Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School
- CompareBenjamin Banneker Charter Public School vs Martin Luther King Jr.Cambridge, MA Peer score 9.9/10 +1.2 vs Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School
- CompareBenjamin Banneker Charter Public School vs Graham and ParksCambridge, MA Peer score 9.4/10 +0.7 vs Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School
- CompareBenjamin Banneker Charter Public School vs HaggertyCambridge, MA Peer score 9.3/10 +0.6 vs Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School
- CompareBenjamin Banneker Charter Public School vs John M TobinCambridge, MA Peer score 9.2/10 +0.5 vs Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School
What grades does Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School serve?
Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School?
Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School has an enrollment of approximately 346 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School?
The student-teacher ratio at Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School rank in MA?
Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School is ranked #89 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School's MySchoolScout rating?
Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School has a composite rating of 8.7 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 Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School has 71.0% math proficiency and 74.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School a charter school?
Yes, Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School a Title I school?
No, Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 86 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 66 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 95 Biker’s Paradise
- City Safety
- High (3,093/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cambridge). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 346
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Middlesex County
- Phone
- (617) 497-7771
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Benjamin Banneker Charter Public (District)- District Enrollment
- 346
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,437
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
Compare This School
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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