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#997 of 1,791 schools in MA

Essex Elementary

Elementary School · Manchester Essex Regional

12 Story Street, Essex, MA 01929

Enrollment

229

Student-Teacher

10.4:1

Score

6.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Massachusetts elementary schools

#564 of 1,022

In district

#4 of 4

Manchester Essex Regional

School environment

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Essex Elementary

Essex Elementary serves 229 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in the picturesque coastal town of Essex, Massachusetts. With 22 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 10.4:1, allowing for more individualized attention in smaller classrooms. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #282 out of 1,796 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 84th percentile.

Students show particular strength in mathematics, with 62% achieving proficiency or above, while 52% demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and reading. Essex Elementary draws from an affluent and highly educated community, where 63% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $133,026. The low poverty rate of 8.5% reflects the area's economic stability, which often correlates with strong family support for education.

Located at 12 Story Street in this charming Essex County community of 3,648 residents, the school benefits from its setting in a large suburban area where median home values of $733,400 indicate significant community investment in the neighborhood and local schools.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.7Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change-2.8 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Math vs. State Avg+19.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.4 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected+0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,494

Essex Elementary — Students at Essex Elementary score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 55.2%
School
State
43.0%
ELA Proficiency 58.4%
School
State
45.6%

Based on 60 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2018
Math
61.7%
ELA
71.7%
2019
Math
66.3%
ELA
66.3%
2021*
Math
47.8%
ELA
66.3%
2022
Math
61.5%
ELA
52.8%
2023
Math
39%
ELA
50.3%
2024
Math
56.7%
ELA
49.3%
2025
Math
50.3%
ELA
49%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How Essex Elementary Compares

See how Essex Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
44th percentile in MA
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
3.7/10
Below average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Location

12 Story Street, Essex, MA 01929

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Essex Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Centerville Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Beverly), which scores notably higher. Another option is Manchester Memorial Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Manchester), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GLEN URQUHART SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Beverly), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Essex, see our Essex schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Manchester Essex Regional High School Manchester 3.7 mi 9.1
Manchester Essex Regional Middle School Manchester 3.7 mi 8.0
TARA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Manchester by the Sea 3.8 mi
Miles River Middle Hamilton 2.9 mi 8.3
Hamilton-Wenham Regional High South Hamilton 3.0 mi 8.5
Manchester Memorial Elementary Manchester 3.9 mi 7.3
BROOKWOOD SCHOOL Manchester 4.2 mi 6.8
LANDMARK ELEMENTARYMIDDLE SCHOOL Manchester 4.3 mi 7.7
CUVILLY ARTS & EARTH CENTER Ipswich 4.2 mi
GLEN URQUHART SCHOOL Beverly 4.6 mi 7.3
THE ACADEMY AT PENGUIN HALL Wenham 4.0 mi 5.8
Winthrop Ipswich 4.3 mi 6.1
Centerville Elementary Beverly 4.5 mi 7.9
West Parish Gloucester 4.1 mi 4.4
Winthrop School South Hamilton 4.3 mi 6.2
Ipswich High Ipswich 5.0 mi 8.7
Ipswich Middle School Ipswich 5.0 mi 6.9
WARING SCHOOL Beverly 5.2 mi 6.8
Cutler School South Hamilton 4.5 mi 4.3
PINGREE SCHOOL South Hamilton 4.6 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 01929 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$151,509

Median Home Value

$828,200

Median Rent

$1,828/mo

Population

3,605

College Educated

68.5%

Homeownership

76.7%

Avg Commute

23.5 min

Poverty Rate

6.1%

Median Age

44.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Essex Elementary has a median household income of $151,509. It is a well-educated community where 69% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $828,200, with a median rent of $1,828/month. The local poverty rate of 6.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Aborn Lynn, MA 6.0
Belcher Chicopee, MA 6.0
Boston Teachers Union K-8 Pilot Jamaica Plain, MA 6.0
Conway Grammar Conway, MA 6.0
Cornelius M Callahan Norwood, MA 6.0
Falls North Attleborough, MA 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Essex Elementary

What grades does Essex Elementary serve?

Essex Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Essex Elementary?

Essex Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 229 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Essex Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Essex Elementary is 10.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Essex Elementary rank in MA?

Essex Elementary is ranked #997 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is Essex Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Essex Elementary has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Essex Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Essex Elementary has 55.2% math proficiency and 58.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Essex Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Essex Elementary a Title I school?

No, Essex Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Average (637/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
229
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Essex County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Manchester Essex Regional
District Enrollment
1,200
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$26,095
District Rank
#4 of 4

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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