Below Average
#1358 of 1,793 schools in MA
Carter School
High School · Boston
270 Columbia Rd, Dorchester, MA 02121
Enrollment
31
Score
4.9
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
31
Score
4.9
Grades
7th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Massachusetts schools
#1,358 of 1,793
In Dorchester
#22 of 29
public schools
In district
#84 of 109
Boston
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Carter School?
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.
Carter School
High School in Dorchester · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Hurley K-8 School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Kingsley Montessori School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Carter School
Carter School is a public high school in Dorchester, MA, part of Boston. Carter School serves approximately 31 students, and covers grades 7th-12th. Carter School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,358 of 1,793 schools in MA.
Structured state assessment records for Carter School show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2019) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2019).
- This school 4.9 · Below Average
- District avg 5.4
- MA avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 31 students, Carter School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
58% of students at Carter School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Carter School — Students at Carter School score 25% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Test Scores MA EDFACTS (2018-19)
Based on 14 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.2/10.
How Carter School Compares
See how Carter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Location
270 Columbia Rd, Dorchester, MA 02121
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Carter School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. THE NEWMAN SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Boston), which scores notably higher. Another option is COMMONWEALTH SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Boston), which scores notably higher. Additionally, THE NEWMAN SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Boston), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dorchester, see our Dorchester schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hurley K-8 School Boston | 0.3 mi | 5.8 |
| KINGSLEY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Boston | 0.7 mi | 6.3 |
| O'Bryant School of Math & Science Roxbury | 0.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Madison Park Technical Vocational High School Roxbury | 0.7 mi | 5.0 |
| KINGSLEY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Boston | 0.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Melvin H. King South End Academy Boston | 0.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Snowden International High School Boston | 0.8 mi | 7.0 |
| THE NEWMAN SCHOOL Boston | 0.8 mi | 8.6 |
| THE NEWMAN SCHOOL Boston | 0.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Orchard Gardens K-8 School Roxbury | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Blackstone Elementary School Boston | 0.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Boston Arts Academy Boston | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| COMMONWEALTH SCHOOL Boston | 0.9 mi | 8.2 |
| MALIK ACADEMY Roxbury Crossing | 0.8 mi | — |
| Boston Day and Evening Academy Charter School Roxbury | 0.9 mi | 3.1 |
| Dearborn 6-12 STEM Academy Roxbury | 1.0 mi | 5.4 |
| LEARNING PROJECT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Boston | 1.0 mi | 8.1 |
| PAIGE ACADEMY Roxbury | 0.9 mi | — |
| Tobin K-8 School Roxbury | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Hale Elementary School Roxbury | 1.1 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02121 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$38,565
Median Home Value
$548,100
Median Rent
$1,316/mo
Population
28,298
College Educated
20.5%
Homeownership
23.1%
Avg Commute
34.5 min
Poverty Rate
26.5%
Median Age
34.2
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Eagle Education Academy Pittsfield, MA | 5.0 |
| Gateway to College Uxbridge, MA | 4.8 |
| Southbridge Academy Southbridge, MA | 5.2 |
| Wareham Cooperative Alternative School Wareham, MA | 4.5 |
| WALDORF HIGH SCHOOL OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY Belmont, MA | 5.5 |
| Community Academy Jamaica Plain, MA | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carter School
What grades does Carter School serve?
Carter School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Carter School?
Carter School has an enrollment of approximately 31 students.
How does Carter School rank in MA?
Carter School ranks #1,358 of 1,793 schools in MA.
What is Carter School's MySchoolScout rating?
Carter School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 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 Carter School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Carter School has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2019) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2019).
Is Carter School a charter school?
No, Carter School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Carter School a Title I school?
No, Carter School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 31
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Suffolk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 58.1%
- Phone
- (617) 635-9832
Resources & Links
District
Boston- District Enrollment
- 45,742
- Schools in District
- 109
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $37,200
- District Rank
- #84 of 109
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.