Excellent
#71 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 4% in state
E Ethel Little School
Elementary School · North Reading
7 Barberry Lane, North Reading, MA 01864
Enrollment
294
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
294
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In North Reading
#1 of 5
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#44 of 1,022
In district
#1 of 5
North Reading
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About E Ethel Little School
E Ethel Little School is a public elementary school in North Reading, Massachusetts, serving 294 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It earns a composite score of 9.1 out of 10 — an Exceptional rating and one of the strongest results for any elementary school across the state. Academic performance comes in at 9.0, and growth scores reach 9.6, signaling that students are making gains at a pace that outstrips peers at comparable schools.
Those results push Little School to 38th among 1,022 elementary schools in Massachusetts. It outperforms 96% of all public schools in the state — a figure that includes middle and high schools, not just elementary programs. Against the full Massachusetts public school list of 1,791 schools, Little School ranks 63rd.
At a student-teacher ratio of 12.2 to 1, class sizes stay small enough to support consistent individual attention throughout the pre-K through fifth grade years. Little School also holds the top rank among the five public schools in North Reading, making it the highest-rated option in the district by a clear margin.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
E Ethel Little School — Students at E Ethel Little School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
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
→ StableAverage 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: 9.6/10.
How E Ethel Little School Compares
See how E Ethel Little School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 72% (2019) to 72% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 67% (2022).
Location
7 Barberry Lane, North Reading, MA 01864
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering E Ethel Little School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. L D Batchelder (rated 8.0/10, 2.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is J Warren Killam (rated 7.6/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Reading), a more accessible option. Additionally, Wood End Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Reading), a more accessible option. For more schools in North Reading, see our North Reading schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wood End Elementary School Reading | 1.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Woburn Street Wilmington | 1.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Birch Meadow Reading | 2.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Arthur W Coolidge Middle Reading | 2.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Reading Memorial High Reading | 2.5 mi | 7.7 |
| RISE PreSchool Reading | 2.5 mi | 6.2 |
| North Reading Middle North Reading | 1.9 mi | 8.5 |
| North Intermediate Wilmington | 1.9 mi | 7.0 |
| North Reading High North Reading | 1.9 mi | 8.5 |
| AUSTIN PREPARATORY SCHOOL Reading | 2.8 mi | 3.7 |
| J Turner Hood North Reading | 2.4 mi | 6.8 |
| L D Batchelder North Reading | 2.1 mi | 8.0 |
| J Warren Killam Reading | 2.5 mi | 7.6 |
| READING MONTESSORI SCHOOL Reading | 2.9 mi | — |
| Wilmington High Wilmington | 2.4 mi | 8.1 |
| ABUNDANT LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wilmington | 2.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Walter S Parker Middle Reading | 3.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Alice M Barrows Reading | 3.3 mi | 7.4 |
| TENDER LEARNING CENTRE Wilmington | 3.0 mi | — |
| ANDOVER SCHOOL OF MONTESSORI Andover | 3.6 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 01864 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$150,820
Median Home Value
$680,000
Median Rent
$2,253/mo
Population
15,634
College Educated
55.5%
Homeownership
83.8%
Avg Commute
32.9 min
Poverty Rate
2.8%
Median Age
43.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding E Ethel Little School has a median household income of $150,820. It is a well-educated community where 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $680,000, with a median rent of $2,253/month. The local poverty rate of 2.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Bates Elementary School Roslindale, MA | 8.9 |
| John A Bishop Arlington, MA | 8.9 |
| John Ward Newton Centre, MA | 8.9 |
| Plymouth River Hingham, MA | 8.9 |
| Williams Pittsfield, MA | 8.9 |
| MEADOWBROOK SCHOOL OF WESTON Weston, MA | 9.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about E Ethel Little School
What grades does E Ethel Little School serve?
E Ethel Little School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend E Ethel Little School?
E Ethel Little School has an enrollment of approximately 294 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at E Ethel Little School?
The student-teacher ratio at E Ethel Little School is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does E Ethel Little School rank in MA?
E Ethel Little School is ranked #71 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is E Ethel Little School's MySchoolScout rating?
E Ethel Little School has a composite rating of 8.9 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 E Ethel Little School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, E Ethel Little School has 71.5% math proficiency and 72.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is E Ethel Little School a charter school?
No, E Ethel Little School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is E Ethel Little School a Title I school?
No, E Ethel Little School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (North Reading). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 294
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Middlesex County
- Phone
- (978) 664-7820
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
North Reading- District Enrollment
- 2,317
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,546
- District Rank
- #1 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
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.