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Excellent

#19 of 1,791 schools in MA

Top 1% in state

Bowman

Elementary School · Lexington

9 Philip Rd, Lexington, MA 02421

Enrollment

428

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

9.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lexington

#1 of 11

public schools

Massachusetts elementary schools

#15 of 1,022

In district

#1 of 10

Lexington

Equity

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Bowman

Bowman Elementary serves 428 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Lexington, Massachusetts. The school earns a composite score of 9.3 out of 10, rated Exceptional, and ranks 19th out of 1,791 public schools in Massachusetts. That rank means Bowman outperforms 99% of public schools statewide — placing it at the very top of a pool of nearly 1,800 schools.

The individual scores that produce that standing are precise. Bowman posts a 9.7 out of 10 on academics and a 9.3 on growth. The growth score matters: it confirms that students aren't simply arriving with advantages — they continue making strong gains throughout their time here.

A student-teacher ratio of 11.6:1 gives teachers the bandwidth to sustain that trajectory, keeping class sizes small enough for consistent, individualized attention at each grade level. Within Lexington, Bowman ranks first among the district's eleven public schools. Statewide among elementary schools, it places 15th out of 1,022 — a standing built on consistent strength across both academic achievement and year-over-year student progress, not a single standout metric.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change+0.18 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.7Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency80%
Reading/ELA Proficiency75%
Math vs. State Avg+37.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+32.4 pts
Overall Proficiency78%
Expected (poverty-adj.)57%
vs. Expected+20.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile96th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,326

Bowman — Students at Bowman score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 80.1%
School
State
43.0%
ELA Proficiency 78.2%
School
State
45.6%

Based on 60 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2018
Math
79.7%
ELA
84.3%
2019
Math
79.3%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
73.3%
ELA
79.3%
2022
Math
80%
ELA
75.3%
2023
Math
84.3%
ELA
77.3%
2024
Math
86.7%
ELA
79.3%
2025
Math
80%
ELA
78.7%

* 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 Bowman Compares

See how Bowman performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.3/10
99th percentile in MA
Academic
9.7/10
9.7/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
8.7/10
Above average

Location

9 Philip Rd, Lexington, MA 02421

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bowman may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bridge (rated 9.1/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Harrington (rated 8.5/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Cyrus E Dallin (rated 8.2/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Arlington), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lexington, see our Lexington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
LEXINGTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lexington 0.4 mi 7.8
Jonas Clarke Middle Lexington 0.7 mi 9.0
Lexington Children's Place Lexington 1.0 mi 8.1
MEADOWRIDGE PELHAM ACADEMY Lexington 1.0 mi
OUR LADYS ACADEMY Waltham 1.2 mi 6.9
COTTING SCHOOL Lexington 1.0 mi 7.1
Northeast Elementary School Waltham 1.4 mi 6.0
Lexington High Lexington 1.5 mi 9.1
LEXINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lexington 1.5 mi 6.9
GANN ACADEMY-THE NEW JEWISH HIGH SCHOOL Waltham 2.0 mi 6.6
Harrington Lexington 1.8 mi 8.5
Bridge Lexington 1.7 mi 9.1
John F Kennedy Middle Waltham 2.0 mi 8.6
Waltham Sr High Waltham 2.1 mi 6.9
Cyrus E Dallin Arlington 1.6 mi 8.2
CNS/PATHWAYS ACADEMY Arlington 1.7 mi 7.4
COMMUNITY THERAPEUTIC DAY SCHOOL Lexington 1.7 mi 5.0
Fiske Lexington 2.4 mi 6.9
NEW ENGLAND INNOVATION ACADEMY Lexington 2.5 mi 6.1
NEW COVENANT SCHOOL Arlington 1.9 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02421 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$212,843

Median Home Value

$1,147,700

Median Rent

$2,847/mo

Population

17,798

College Educated

84.7%

Homeownership

76.3%

Avg Commute

30.7 min

Poverty Rate

6%

Median Age

47.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bowman has a median household income of $212,843. It is a well-educated community where 85% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,147,700, with a median rent of $2,847/month. The local poverty rate of 6.0% is relatively low. 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
Happy Hollow School Wayland, MA 9.3
Joseph Estabrook Lexington, MA 9.3
Warren-Prescott K-8 School Charlestown, MA 9.3
William H Lincoln Brookline, MA 9.3
Winship Elementary School Brighton, MA 9.3
Graham and Parks Cambridge, MA 9.4

Compare Bowman with similar schools nearby

Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bowman

What grades does Bowman serve?

Bowman serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Bowman?

Bowman has an enrollment of approximately 428 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bowman?

The student-teacher ratio at Bowman is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bowman rank in MA?

Bowman is ranked #19 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is Bowman's MySchoolScout rating?

Bowman has a composite rating of 9.3 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 Bowman?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bowman has 80.1% math proficiency and 78.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bowman a charter school?

No, Bowman is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bowman a Title I school?

No, Bowman is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
22 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
31 Some Transit
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (390/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lexington). Data >1 year old.

Compare This School

How does Bowman stack up?

Joseph Estabrook
9.3
Bridge
9.1
Compare Selected →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
428
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Middlesex County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Lexington
District Enrollment
6,805
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$26,005
District Rank
#1 of 10

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 methodology

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