Very Good
#371 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 21% in state
Bowen
Elementary School · Newton
280 Cypress Street, Newton Centre, MA 02459
Enrollment
355
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
355
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newton Centre
#7 of 7
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#235 of 1,022
In district
#17 of 22
Newton
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Bowen
Bowen serves 355 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Newton Centre, offering a strong elementary education with a favorable 11.8-to-1 student-teacher ratio supported by 30 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a solid 7.6 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks impressively at #197 out of 1,796 Massachusetts elementary schools, placing it in the 89th percentile statewide. Academically, Bowen demonstrates consistent performance with 62% of students achieving proficiency or above in both English Language Arts and Math across all grade levels.
This steady achievement across core subjects reflects the school's commitment to balanced academic development for its elementary learners. The school draws families from Newton Centre's highly educated community, where 86% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. This affluent neighborhood, with a median household income of $210,785 and median home values of $1,330,900, creates a supportive environment for educational achievement.
The low poverty rate of just 3.1% reflects the community's economic stability. Located on Cypress Street in this small city setting, Bowen benefits from Newton Centre's blend of suburban tranquility and educational resources, providing elementary students with a nurturing foundation in an academically-minded community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Bowen — Students at Bowen score 62% 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 60 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.4/10.
How Bowen Compares
See how Bowen performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 71% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 70% (2019) to 62% (2022).
Location
280 Cypress Street, Newton Centre, MA 02459
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bowen may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mason-Rice (rated 9.1/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Memorial Spaulding (rated 9.0/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, John Ward (rated 8.9/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newton Centre, see our Newton Centre schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Newton South High Newton Centre | 0.5 mi | 9.3 |
| WELLAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Newton | 0.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Oak Hill Middle Newton Centre | 0.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Charles E Brown Middle Newton Centre | 0.9 mi | 9.2 |
| Mason-Rice Newton Centre | 1.0 mi | 9.1 |
| Countryside Newton Highlands | 0.9 mi | 8.5 |
| John Ward Newton Centre | 1.4 mi | 8.9 |
| Memorial Spaulding Newton Centre | 1.4 mi | 9.0 |
| MOUNT ALVERNIA ACADEMY Chestnut Hill | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| MT ALVERNIA HIGH SCHOOL Newton | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
| BEAVER COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Chestnut Hill | 1.2 mi | 7.9 |
| B C CAMPUS SCHOOL Chestnut Hill | 1.3 mi | — |
| THE CHESTNUT HILLSCHOOL Chestnut Hill | 1.3 mi | 8.4 |
| NEWTON COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Newton | 1.7 mi | 7.7 |
| BRIMMER & MAY SCHOOL Chestnut Hill | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Cabot Newtonville | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| SOLOMON SCHECHTEE DAY SCHOOL Newton | 2.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Newton North High Newtonville | 1.9 mi | 8.9 |
| Zervas Waban | 1.7 mi | 7.5 |
| FUSION ACADEMY NEWTON Newton | 1.8 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02459 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$214,941
Median Home Value
$1,336,200
Median Rent
$2,308/mo
Population
18,604
College Educated
84.3%
Homeownership
83.3%
Avg Commute
28.3 min
Poverty Rate
3.4%
Median Age
45.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bowen has a median household income of $214,941. It is a well-educated community where 84% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,336,200, with a median rent of $2,308/month. The local poverty rate of 3.4% 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 |
|---|---|
| Barnstable Community Innovation School Hyannis, MA | 7.6 |
| Capuano Early Childhood Center Somerville, MA | 7.6 |
| Center Longmeadow, MA | 7.6 |
| Center Mattapoisett, MA | 7.6 |
| Chittick Elementary School Mattapan, MA | 7.6 |
| DEDHAM COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Dedham, MA | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bowen
What grades does Bowen serve?
Bowen serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Bowen?
Bowen has an enrollment of approximately 355 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bowen?
The student-teacher ratio at Bowen is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bowen rank in MA?
Bowen is ranked #371 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Bowen's MySchoolScout rating?
Bowen has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Bowen?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bowen has 65.1% math proficiency and 64.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bowen a charter school?
No, Bowen is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bowen a Title I school?
No, Bowen is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 355
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Middlesex County
- Phone
- (617) 559-9330
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Newton- District Enrollment
- 11,752
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,226
- District Rank
- #17 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
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.