Excellent
#79 of 1,793 schools in MA
Top 4% in state
Bessie Buker Elementary
Elementary School · Hamilton-Wenham
1 School Street, Wenham, MA 01984
Enrollment
259
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
9.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
259
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
9.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Massachusetts schools
#79 of 1,793
In district
#1 of 5
Hamilton-Wenham
Equity
9.5 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Bessie Buker Elementary?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Bessie Buker Elementary
Elementary School in Wenham · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cutler School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Winthrop School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bessie Buker Elementary
Bessie Buker Elementary is a public elementary school in Wenham, MA, part of Hamilton-Wenham. Bessie Buker Elementary serves approximately 259 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Bessie Buker Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.1 out of 10 and ranks #79 of 1,793 schools in MA.
Structured state assessment records for Bessie Buker Elementary show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 9.1 · Excellent
- District avg 6.9
- MA avg 6.3
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Bessie Buker Elementary — Students at Bessie Buker Elementary score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 82 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: 9.4/10.
How Bessie Buker Elementary Compares
See how Bessie Buker Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. North Beverly Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Beverly), with a comparable rating. Another option is Centerville Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Beverly), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Willis E Thorpe (rated 8.1/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Danvers), with a comparable rating. 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 | 5.4 |
| Winthrop School South Hamilton | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| North Beverly Elementary Beverly | 2.0 mi | 8.3 |
| 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 | 5.7 |
| 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 | 8.7 |
| Miles River Middle Hamilton | 2.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Beverly Middle School Beverly | 3.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Beverly High Beverly | 3.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Hannah Elementary Beverly | 3.0 mi | 7.2 |
| McKeown School Beverly | 3.2 mi | 5.1 |
| HARBORLIGHT MONTESSORI Beverly | 3.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Willis E Thorpe Danvers | 3.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Centerville Elementary Beverly | 3.0 mi | 8.3 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School Cambridge, MA | 9.1 |
| E Ethel Little School North Reading, MA | 9.1 |
| Tatham West Springfield, MA | 9.1 |
| Underwood Newton Corner, MA | 9.1 |
| Dr John C Page School West Newbury, MA | 9.0 |
| Greenlodge Dedham, MA | 9.0 |
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 ranks #79 of 1,793 schools in MA.
What is Bessie Buker Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bessie Buker Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Bessie Buker Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bessie Buker Elementary has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 7.3%
- Phone
- (978) 468-5324
Resources & Links
District
Hamilton-Wenham- District Enrollment
- 1,665
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,969
- District Rank
- #1 of 5
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.