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Very Good

#538 of 1,791 schools in MA

Top 30% in state

Carter School

High School · Boston

270 Columbia Rd, Dorchester, MA 02121

Enrollment

31

Score

7.1

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Dorchester

#8 of 29

public schools

Massachusetts high schools

#117 of 366

In district

#54 of 109

Boston

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Carter School

Carter School is a regular public high school located in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Serving students from seventh to twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 31 students, making it a small and intimate learning environment. Despite its compact size, Carter School offers a range of academic opportunities for its diverse student body.

According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, Carter School scores a 2.8 out of 10, with the state ranking at #1715 out of 1796 schools in Massachusetts, placing it in the fifth percentile. The school's academic performance shows that 25% of students are proficient or above in both English Language Arts and Math. While these numbers suggest there is room for improvement, they also highlight areas where additional support can be provided to help students succeed.

Carter School is situated in a large city setting within Suffolk County, offering its students access to various cultural and educational resources found in urban environments. Despite the lack of specific neighborhood data, the school plays an important role as part of the Dorchester community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 31 students, Carter School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 3/4 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics5.6Average33%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected+4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
College Readiness6.8Above Average40%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional27%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$34,835

Carter School — Students at Carter School score 25% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores MA EDFACTS (2018-19)

Math Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 2 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

How Carter School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
70th percentile in MA
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

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 slightly 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 6.1
KINGSLEY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Boston 0.7 mi 6.3
O'Bryant School of Math & Science Roxbury 0.7 mi 7.3
Madison Park Technical Vocational High School Roxbury 0.7 mi 5.5
KINGSLEY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Boston 0.7 mi 8.5
Melvin H. King South End Academy Boston 0.6 mi 6.7
Snowden International High School Boston 0.8 mi 7.8
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 5.7
Boston Arts Academy Boston 0.7 mi 7.4
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 7.0
Dearborn 6-12 STEM Academy Roxbury 1.0 mi 5.8
LEARNING PROJECT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Boston 1.0 mi 8.1
PAIGE ACADEMY Roxbury 0.9 mi
Tobin K-8 School Roxbury 0.9 mi 5.8
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Carter School has a median household income of $38,565. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $548,100, with a median rent of $1,316/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Eagle Education Academy Pittsfield, MA 7.1
GLENHAVEN ACADEMY Marlborough, MA 7.0
Community Academy Jamaica Plain, MA 7.2
Leblanc Therapeutic Day School Lowell, MA 6.9
AMEGO Attleboro, MA 7.3
WHITNEY ACADEMY East Freetown, MA 7.4

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 is ranked #538 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is Carter School's MySchoolScout rating?

Carter School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Carter School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carter School has 25.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
31
0
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Suffolk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Boston
District Enrollment
45,742
Schools in District
109
Per-Pupil Spending
$37,200
District Rank
#54 of 109

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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