Excellent
#172 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 10% in state
Cunniff
Elementary School · Watertown
246 Warren Street, Watertown, MA 02472
Enrollment
310
Student-Teacher
8.9:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
310
Student-Teacher
8.9:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Watertown
#2 of 5
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#108 of 1,022
In district
#2 of 5
Watertown
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Cunniff
Cunniff is a public elementary school in Watertown, MA, part of the Watertown. The school serves approximately 310 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 8.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 90.5th percentile among MA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 41% proficiency in math, 2 points below the state average and 43% in reading/language arts, 2 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.8/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $123,383, where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.9:1, Cunniff 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Cunniff — Students at Cunniff score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 54 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.8/10.
How Cunniff Compares
See how Cunniff performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
246 Warren Street, Watertown, MA 02472
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cunniff may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. James Russell Lowell (rated 8.7/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Lincoln-Eliot (rated 8.4/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Newton), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Underwood (rated 8.4/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Newton Corner), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Watertown, see our Watertown schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Watertown Middle Watertown | 0.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Watertown High Watertown | 0.5 mi | 7.2 |
| James Fitzgerald Elementary School Waltham | 0.6 mi | 6.5 |
| WALDORF HIGH SCHOOL OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY Belmont | 0.7 mi | 5.5 |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL, INC DBA JCDS BOSTONS Watertown | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Daniel Butler Belmont | 0.9 mi | 7.6 |
| James Russell Lowell Watertown | 0.8 mi | 8.7 |
| Lincoln-Eliot Newton | 1.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Horace Mann Newtonville | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| ARLINGTON SCHOOL Belmont | 1.4 mi | 5.7 |
| CLEARWAY SCHOOL Newton | 1.5 mi | 5.8 |
| DEARBORN ACADEMY Newton | 1.5 mi | 6.6 |
| F A Day Middle Newtonville | 1.5 mi | 8.9 |
| BELMONT DAY SCHOOL Belmont | 1.5 mi | 7.5 |
| GANN ACADEMY-THE NEW JEWISH HIGH SCHOOL Waltham | 1.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Newton Early Childhood Program Newton | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Underwood Newton Corner | 1.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Cabot Newtonville | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| PERKINS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND Watertown | 1.6 mi | 8.8 |
| Bigelow Middle Newton | 1.8 mi | 8.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02472 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$123,383
Median Home Value
$737,600
Median Rent
$2,356/mo
Population
35,317
College Educated
67.1%
Homeownership
48.8%
Avg Commute
26.2 min
Poverty Rate
6.1%
Median Age
38.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cunniff has a median household income of $123,383. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $737,600, with a median rent of $2,356/month. The local poverty rate of 6.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| C C Burr Auburndale, MA | 8.4 |
| Cold Spring Plymouth, MA | 8.4 |
| Glover Marblehead, MA | 8.4 |
| Lincoln-Eliot Newton, MA | 8.4 |
| Peirce Arlington, MA | 8.4 |
| Station Avenue Elementary South Yarmouth, MA | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cunniff
What grades does Cunniff serve?
Cunniff serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Cunniff?
Cunniff has an enrollment of approximately 310 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cunniff?
The student-teacher ratio at Cunniff is 8.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cunniff rank in MA?
Cunniff is ranked #172 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Cunniff's MySchoolScout rating?
Cunniff has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Cunniff?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cunniff has 40.5% math proficiency and 42.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cunniff a charter school?
No, Cunniff is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cunniff a Title I school?
No, Cunniff is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 57 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 34 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 41 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,018/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Watertown). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 310
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Middlesex County
- Phone
- (617) 926-7726
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Watertown- District Enrollment
- 2,717
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $28,148
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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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