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Very Good

#313 of 1,791 schools in MA

Top 17% in state

Douglas Macarthur Elementary School

Elementary School · Waltham

494 Lincoln Street, Waltham, MA 02451

Enrollment

475

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Waltham

#2 of 10

public schools

Massachusetts elementary schools

#194 of 1,022

In district

#2 of 10

Waltham

School environment

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Douglas Macarthur Elementary School

Douglas MacArthur Elementary School serves 475 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Waltham, Massachusetts. With 41 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.6:1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 79th percentile among Massachusetts elementary schools at #375 out of 1,796 schools statewide.

Students show steady achievement with 54% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and 55% reaching proficiency in mathematics across all grade levels. Located on Lincoln Street in Waltham's 02451 zip code, Douglas MacArthur Elementary sits within an educated and economically stable community. The surrounding neighborhood has a median household income of $117,932 and a median home value of $677,700, with 55% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

The area maintains a low poverty rate of 8.1%, reflecting the community's overall economic stability. The school operates within Waltham's small city environment, providing students with both suburban amenities and urban accessibility while serving a diverse population of nearly 18,400 residents in the immediate area.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.8Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change-1.42 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54%
Math vs. State Avg+12.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.4 pts
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected+14.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,713

Douglas Macarthur Elementary School — Students at Douglas Macarthur Elementary School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 48.5%
School
State
42.2%
ELA Proficiency 49.7%
School
State
44.3%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
55.3%
ELA
49.5%
2021*
Math
45.5%
ELA
53.8%
2022
Math
55%
ELA
53.8%
2023
Math
44.3%
ELA
47%
2024
Math
40%
ELA
45.3%
2025
Math
47.3%
ELA
46.3%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Douglas Macarthur Elementary School Compares

See how Douglas Macarthur Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
83th percentile in MA
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Location

494 Lincoln Street, Waltham, MA 02451

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Douglas Macarthur Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bowman (rated 9.3/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Lexington), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bridge (rated 9.1/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Lexington), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Maria Hastings (rated 8.7/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Lexington), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Waltham, see our Waltham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
MILESTONES DAY SCHOOL Waltham 0.7 mi 6.9
COMMUNITY THERAPEUTIC DAY SCHOOL Lexington 1.2 mi 5.0
John F Kennedy Middle Waltham 1.0 mi 8.6
COTTING SCHOOL Lexington 1.3 mi 7.1
OUR LADYS ACADEMY Waltham 1.1 mi 6.9
CHAPEL HILL CHAUNCY HALL SCHOOL Waltham 1.4 mi 7.8
Waltham Sr High Waltham 1.2 mi 6.9
Thomas R Plympton Elementary School Waltham 1.6 mi 5.6
Northeast Elementary School Waltham 1.3 mi 6.0
THE CAMBRIDGE SCHOOL OF WESTON Weston 1.7 mi 7.1
John W. McDevitt Middle School Waltham 2.0 mi 6.1
Jonas Clarke Middle Lexington 2.1 mi 9.0
Bridge Lexington 2.4 mi 9.1
GANN ACADEMY-THE NEW JEWISH HIGH SCHOOL Waltham 1.8 mi 6.6
Bowman Lexington 2.1 mi 9.3
William F. Stanley Elementary School Waltham 2.6 mi 5.8
LEXINGTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lexington 2.0 mi 7.8
Waltham Public Schools Dual Language Program Waltham 2.6 mi 5.1
Maria Hastings Lexington 2.9 mi 8.7
Lexington High Lexington 2.8 mi 9.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02451 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$119,509

Median Home Value

$709,200

Median Rent

$2,537/mo

Population

18,153

College Educated

54.7%

Homeownership

58.6%

Avg Commute

25.3 min

Poverty Rate

7.5%

Median Age

39.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Douglas Macarthur Elementary School has a median household income of $119,509. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $709,200, with a median rent of $2,537/month. The local poverty rate of 7.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Ayers/Ryal Side School Beverly, MA 7.8
Bowie Chicopee, MA 7.8
Cunningham School Milton, MA 7.8
Francis Wyman Elementary Burlington, MA 7.8
Indian Orchard Elementary Indian Orchard, MA 7.8
Josiah Haynes Sudbury, MA 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Douglas Macarthur Elementary School

What grades does Douglas Macarthur Elementary School serve?

Douglas Macarthur Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Douglas Macarthur Elementary School?

Douglas Macarthur Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 475 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Douglas Macarthur Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Douglas Macarthur Elementary School is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Douglas Macarthur Elementary School rank in MA?

Douglas Macarthur Elementary School is ranked #313 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is Douglas Macarthur Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Douglas Macarthur Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Douglas Macarthur Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Douglas Macarthur Elementary School has 48.5% math proficiency and 49.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Douglas Macarthur Elementary School a charter school?

No, Douglas Macarthur Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Douglas Macarthur Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Douglas Macarthur Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
26 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
25 Some Transit
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (962/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Waltham). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
475
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Middlesex County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Waltham
District Enrollment
5,709
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,267
District Rank
#2 of 10

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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