Excellent
#84 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 5% in state
Bigelow Middle
Middle School · Newton
42 Vernon St, Newton, MA 02458
Enrollment
414
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
8.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
414
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
8.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newton
#1 of 3
public schools
Massachusetts middle schools
#16 of 305
In district
#9 of 22
Newton
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Bigelow Middle
Bigelow Middle is a public middle school in Newton, MA, part of the Newton. The school serves approximately 414 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 10.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8/10, placing it in the 95.4th percentile among MA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 64% proficiency in math, 22 points above the state average and 67% in reading/language arts, 22 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.2/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $151,782, where 76% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a small city setting.
What's said publicly about Bigelow Middle
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Bigelow Middle — Students at Bigelow Middle score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
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 74 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: 8.9/10.
How Bigelow Middle Compares
See how Bigelow Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 70% (2019) to 64% (2022).
Location
42 Vernon St, Newton, MA 02458
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bigelow Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Winship Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Brighton), which scores slightly higher. Another option is John Ward (rated 8.9/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Newton Centre), with a very similar rating. Additionally, PERKINS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND (rated 8.8/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Watertown), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Newton, see our Newton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Underwood Newton Corner | 0.2 mi | 8.4 |
| PERKINS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND Watertown | 0.6 mi | 8.8 |
| MT ALVERNIA HIGH SCHOOL Newton | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| John Ward Newton Centre | 0.9 mi | 8.9 |
| NEWTON COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Newton | 0.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Lincoln-Eliot Newton | 0.8 mi | 8.4 |
| CLEARWAY SCHOOL Newton | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| DEARBORN ACADEMY Newton | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| MOUNT ALVERNIA ACADEMY Chestnut Hill | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Cabot Newtonville | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Hosmer Watertown | 1.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Lyon K-8 School Brighton | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Lyon High School Brighton | 1.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Watertown High Watertown | 1.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Watertown Middle Watertown | 1.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Edison K-8 School Brighton | 1.2 mi | 7.4 |
| James Russell Lowell Watertown | 1.6 mi | 8.7 |
| B C CAMPUS SCHOOL Chestnut Hill | 1.5 mi | — |
| Winship Elementary School Brighton | 1.4 mi | 9.3 |
| ST STEPHEN'S ARMENIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Watertown | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02458 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$151,782
Median Home Value
$1,116,600
Median Rent
$2,313/mo
Population
13,308
College Educated
76.1%
Homeownership
62.3%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
5.6%
Median Age
40.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bigelow Middle has a median household income of $151,782. It is a well-educated community where 76% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,116,600, with a median rent of $2,313/month. The local poverty rate of 5.6% 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 |
|---|---|
| Andover West Middle Andover, MA | 8.9 |
| Putnam Avenue Upper School Cambridge, MA | 8.7 |
| Cohasset Middle School Cohasset, MA | 9.0 |
| Wood Hill Middle School Andover, MA | 9.0 |
| Blanchard Middle Westford, MA | 8.6 |
| High Rock School Needham, MA | 8.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bigelow Middle
What grades does Bigelow Middle serve?
Bigelow Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Bigelow Middle?
Bigelow Middle has an enrollment of approximately 414 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bigelow Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Bigelow Middle is 10.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bigelow Middle rank in MA?
Bigelow Middle is ranked #84 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Bigelow Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Bigelow Middle has a composite rating of 8.8 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 Bigelow Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bigelow Middle has 63.8% math proficiency and 67.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bigelow Middle a charter school?
No, Bigelow Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bigelow Middle a Title I school?
No, Bigelow Middle is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 71 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 47 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 44 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- Average (648/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 414
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Middlesex County
- Phone
- (617) 559-6800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Newton- District Enrollment
- 11,752
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,226
- District Rank
- #9 of 22
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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