Skip to main content

Average

#1353 of 1,791 schools in MA

Charlestown High School

High School · Boston

240 Medford Street, Charlestown, MA 02129

Enrollment

789

Student-Teacher

8.5:1

Score

5.1

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Charlestown

#3 of 3

public schools

Massachusetts high schools

#306 of 366

In district

#98 of 109

Boston

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Charlestown High School

Charlestown High School serves grades 7 through 12 in Charlestown, Massachusetts, with an enrollment of 789 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 8.5:1, supported by 93 full-time equivalent teachers, offering relatively personalized classroom environments for a public high school. Academically, Charlestown High School is working toward improving student outcomes.

Currently, proficiency rates are significantly below state averages across core subjects. In English language arts and math, approximately 10% of students perform at or above proficiency levels, while science proficiency stands at 4%. These numbers reflect substantial room for academic growth and development.

The school ranks in the 10th percentile statewide among Massachusetts schools, indicating it's among those with the greatest opportunities to strengthen instructional practices and student achievement. Despite these academic challenges, the school remains a fixture in its urban community, located at 240 Medford Street in Charlestown's large city setting. For families considering this school, it's important to understand current performance levels and to discuss with school administrators what specific initiatives and support systems are in place to help students progress academically.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.5:1, Charlestown High School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change-2.39 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Math vs. State Avg-27.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-25.5 pts
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected-6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
College Readiness3.6Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation10.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$34,835

Charlestown High School — Students at Charlestown High School score 14% proficient, which is below 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

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 10.3%
School
State
43.8%
ELA Proficiency 10.2%
School
State
48.2%

Based on 54 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
27.5%
ELA
16.5%
2021*
Math
11.5%
ELA
18%
2022
Math
7.2%
ELA
13.6%
2023
Math
4.8%
ELA
9.8%
2024
Math
7%
ELA
3%
2025
Math
14%
ELA
6.8%

* 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: 4.6/10.

How Charlestown High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
25th percentile in MA
Academic
3.6/10
3.6/10
Growth
4.6/10
Below average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Location

240 Medford Street, Charlestown, MA 02129

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Charlestown High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Community Charter School of Cambridge (rated 7.8/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Cambridge), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Boston High School (rated 5.0/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby East Boston), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Charlestown, see our Charlestown schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Warren-Prescott K-8 School Charlestown 0.2 mi 9.3
Harvard-Kent Elementary School Charlestown 0.3 mi 8.3
Eliot K-8 Innovation School Boston 1.0 mi 9.6
SEAPORT ACADEMY Chelsea 1.0 mi
ST JOHN SCHOOL Boston 1.2 mi 6.1
Mario Umana Academy East Boston 1.0 mi 5.8
EAST BOSTON CENTRAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL East Boston 1.2 mi 6.1
O'Donnell Elementary School East Boston 1.2 mi 7.0
Adams School Everett 1.6 mi 4.7
Sumner G. Whittier School Everett 1.7 mi 3.1
THE ADVENT SCHOOL Boston 1.6 mi 8.0
Alighieri Dante Montessori School East Boston 1.3 mi 8.8
ST ANTHONY SCHOOL Everett 1.8 mi 6.2
East Boston High School East Boston 1.3 mi 5.0
PARK STREET SCHOOL Boston 1.7 mi 6.5
E Somerville Community Somerville 1.4 mi 4.6
Capuano Early Childhood Center Somerville 1.3 mi 7.6
Community Charter School of Cambridge Cambridge 1.5 mi 7.8
Otis Elementary School East Boston 1.4 mi 8.5
Shurtleff Early Childhood Chelsea 1.5 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02129 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$157,192

Median Home Value

$926,000

Median Rent

$2,258/mo

Population

19,994

College Educated

71.4%

Homeownership

49.6%

Avg Commute

29.3 min

Poverty Rate

6.3%

Median Age

36

Community Profile

The community surrounding Charlestown High School has a median household income of $157,192. It is a well-educated community where 71% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $926,000, with a median rent of $2,258/month. The local poverty rate of 6.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Palmer High Palmer, MA 5.1
Smith Vocational and Agricultural High Northampton, MA 5.1
Abington High Abington, MA 5.0
MALDEN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Malden, MA 5.0
Argosy Collegiate Charter School Fall River, MA 5.2
Boston International High School & Newcomers Academy Dorchester, MA 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Charlestown High School

What grades does Charlestown High School serve?

Charlestown High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Charlestown High School?

Charlestown High School has an enrollment of approximately 789 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Charlestown High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Charlestown High School is 8.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Charlestown High School rank in MA?

Charlestown High School is ranked #1353 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is Charlestown High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Charlestown High School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Charlestown High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Charlestown High School has 10.3% math proficiency and 10.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Charlestown High School a charter school?

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

Is Charlestown High School a Title I school?

No, Charlestown High School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
789
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
93
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
#98 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

Related 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.