Average
#671 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 37% in state
Chickering
Elementary School · Dover
29 Cross Street, Dover, MA 02030
Enrollment
497
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
497
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dover
#3 of 3
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#411 of 1,022
Equity
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Chickering
Chickering serves 497 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Dover, Massachusetts, consistently ranking among the state's top elementary schools at #54 out of 1,796 schools statewide. With a favorable 11.3:1 student-teacher ratio supported by 44 full-time equivalent teachers, the school creates an environment where students can receive personalized attention. Academic performance at Chickering is particularly strong, with 78% of students achieving proficiency or above in mathematics and 67% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and reading.
These results contribute to the school's impressive 9.4 out of 10 academic score and overall 8.3 rating from MySchoolScout, placing it in the 97th percentile among Massachusetts elementary schools. The school draws from Dover's highly educated community, where 88% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income exceeds $250,000. This affluent suburb in Norfolk County, with a population of nearly 6,000, maintains low poverty rates at just 1.6%, reflecting the area's economic stability.
Chickering Elementary operates as a regular public school in Dover's large suburban setting, benefiting from the community's strong commitment to education and the resources that come with serving one of Massachusetts' most prosperous neighborhoods.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Chickering — Students at Chickering score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
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: 4.6/10.
How Chickering Compares
See how Chickering performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 78% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 85% (2019) to 67% (2022).
Location
29 Cross Street, Dover, MA 02030
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Chickering may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. William E Sheehan (rated 9.2/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Westwood), which scores notably higher. Another option is Newman Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Needham), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sprague Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Wellesley), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dover, see our Dover schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| WALKER SCHOOL Needham | 0.6 mi | 8.5 |
| CHARLES RIVER SCHOOL Dover | 0.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Newman Elementary Needham | 2.3 mi | 9.0 |
| High Rock School Needham | 2.1 mi | 8.6 |
| TENACRE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Wellesley | 2.7 mi | 7.7 |
| DANA HALL SCHOOL Wellesley | 3.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Hunnewell Wellesley | 3.2 mi | 8.1 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Needham | 2.9 mi | 4.7 |
| RIVERBEND SCHOOL Natick | 2.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Wellesley Sr High Wellesley | 3.5 mi | 8.9 |
| Pollard Middle Needham | 2.9 mi | 8.5 |
| Needham High Needham | 3.2 mi | 9.0 |
| Sunita L. Williams Elementary Needham | 3.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Memorial Natick | 3.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Wellesley Middle Wellesley | 3.8 mi | 9.3 |
| William E Sheehan Westwood | 3.5 mi | 9.2 |
| MONTESSORI DAY SCHOOL OF WELLESLEY HILLS Wellesley Hls | 4.0 mi | — |
| E W Thurston Middle Westwood | 3.3 mi | 9.0 |
| Sprague Elementary School Wellesley | 3.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Dover-Sherborn Regional Middle School Dover | 3.4 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02030 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$250,001
Median Home Value
$1,285,800
Median Rent
$2,500/mo
Population
5,893
College Educated
87.3%
Homeownership
97%
Avg Commute
37.1 min
Poverty Rate
2%
Median Age
45.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Chickering has a median household income of $250,001. It is a well-educated community where 87% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,285,800, with a median rent of $2,500/month. The local poverty rate of 2.0% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 37 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 |
|---|---|
| Annie L Sargent School North Andover, MA | 6.8 |
| Assawompset Elementary School Lakeville, MA | 6.8 |
| Bartlett Community Partnership Lowell, MA | 6.8 |
| DERBY ACADEMY Hingham, MA | 6.8 |
| Freetown Elementary School East Freetown, MA | 6.8 |
| Golden Hill Haverhill, MA | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Chickering
What grades does Chickering serve?
Chickering serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Chickering?
Chickering has an enrollment of approximately 497 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Chickering?
The student-teacher ratio at Chickering is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Chickering rank in MA?
Chickering is ranked #671 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Chickering's MySchoolScout rating?
Chickering has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Chickering?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chickering has 78.3% math proficiency and 72.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Chickering a charter school?
No, Chickering is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Chickering a Title I school?
No, Chickering is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (655/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Dover). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 497
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Norfolk County
- Phone
- (508) 785-0480
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Dover- District Enrollment
- 497
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $25,052
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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
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