Excellent
#131 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 7% in state
Bessie Buker Elementary
Elementary School · Hamilton-Wenham
1 School Street, Wenham, MA 01984
Enrollment
259
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
259
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Massachusetts elementary schools
#84 of 1,022
In district
#2 of 5
Hamilton-Wenham
Equity
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Bessie Buker Elementary
Bessie Buker Elementary is a public elementary school in Wenham, MA, part of the Hamilton-Wenham. The school serves approximately 259 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5/10, placing it in the 92.7th percentile among MA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 62% proficiency in math, 19 points above the state average and 70% in reading/language arts, 24 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.3/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $187,652, where 70% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Bessie Buker Elementary — Students at Bessie Buker Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 60 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 9.3/10.
How Bessie Buker Elementary Compares
See how Bessie Buker Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 72% (2019) to 72% (2022).
Location
1 School Street, Wenham, MA 01984
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bessie Buker Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Centerville Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Beverly), with a comparable rating. Another option is North Beverly Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Beverly), with a comparable rating. Additionally, HARBORLIGHT MONTESSORI (rated 7.4/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Beverly), a more accessible option. For more schools in Wenham, see our Wenham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cutler School South Hamilton | 0.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Winthrop School South Hamilton | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| North Beverly Elementary Beverly | 2.0 mi | 7.7 |
| WALDORF SCHOOL AT MORAINE FARM Beverly | 1.9 mi | 7.1 |
| PINGREE SCHOOL South Hamilton | 2.3 mi | 7.2 |
| NEW ENGLAND ACADEMY Beverly | 2.5 mi | 5.8 |
| NORTH SHORE RECOVERY HIGH SCHOOL Beverly | 2.7 mi | 6.1 |
| SHORE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Beverly | 2.8 mi | 7.6 |
| THE SAINTS ACADEMY Beverly | 2.7 mi | 4.7 |
| HOPEFUL JOURNEYS EDUCATIONAL CENTER Beverly | 2.8 mi | 8.2 |
| THE ACADEMY AT PENGUIN HALL Wenham | 2.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Hamilton-Wenham Regional High South Hamilton | 2.3 mi | 8.5 |
| Miles River Middle Hamilton | 2.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Beverly Middle School Beverly | 3.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Beverly High Beverly | 3.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Hannah Elementary Beverly | 3.0 mi | 6.6 |
| McKeown School Beverly | 3.2 mi | 6.1 |
| HARBORLIGHT MONTESSORI Beverly | 3.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Willis E Thorpe Danvers | 3.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Centerville Elementary Beverly | 3.0 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 01984 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$187,652
Median Home Value
$841,800
Population
4,930
College Educated
69.9%
Homeownership
85.6%
Avg Commute
28.4 min
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Median Age
29.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bessie Buker Elementary has a median household income of $187,652. It is a well-educated community where 70% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $841,800. The local poverty rate of 3.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Annie E Fales Westborough, MA | 8.5 |
| Countryside Newton Highlands, MA | 8.5 |
| Frank H Freedman Springfield, MA | 8.5 |
| KINGSLEY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Boston, MA | 8.5 |
| Peirce West Newton, MA | 8.5 |
| Undermountain Sheffield, MA | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bessie Buker Elementary
What grades does Bessie Buker Elementary serve?
Bessie Buker Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Bessie Buker Elementary?
Bessie Buker Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 259 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bessie Buker Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Bessie Buker Elementary is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bessie Buker Elementary rank in MA?
Bessie Buker Elementary is ranked #131 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Bessie Buker Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bessie Buker Elementary has a composite rating of 8.5 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 Bessie Buker Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bessie Buker Elementary has 62.3% math proficiency and 70.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bessie Buker Elementary a charter school?
No, Bessie Buker Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bessie Buker Elementary a Title I school?
No, Bessie Buker Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Wenham). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 259
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Essex County
- Phone
- (978) 468-5324
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Hamilton-Wenham- District Enrollment
- 1,665
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,969
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
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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