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Average

#1290 of 1,791 schools in MA

Francis T Bresnahan Elementary

Elementary School · Newburyport

333 High Street, Newburyport, MA 01950

Enrollment

604

Student-Teacher

9.9:1

Score

5.3

Grades

Pre-K – 3rd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Newburyport

#5 of 5

public schools

Massachusetts elementary schools

#716 of 1,022

In district

#4 of 4

Newburyport

Equity

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Francis T Bresnahan Elementary

Francis T Bresnahan Elementary serves 604 students in prekindergarten through third grade in Newburyport, Massachusetts. This well-regarded public school maintains an excellent 9.9:1 student-teacher ratio with 61 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention during these crucial early learning years. The school demonstrates strong academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #238 out of 1,796 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 87th percentile.

Students show solid achievement across core subjects, with 62% scoring proficient or above in ELA/reading and 57% reaching proficiency in mathematics. This consistent performance reflects the school's focus on building foundational skills in the primary grades. Francis T Bresnahan Elementary draws from an affluent and highly educated community where 65% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $127,306.

The low poverty rate of 5.8% indicates a stable, resource-rich environment that supports student learning. Located on High Street in Essex County, the school sits in a large suburban setting within Newburyport's well-established residential neighborhoods, where families value educational excellence and community engagement.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.9:1, Francis T Bresnahan Elementary 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 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change-3.58 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Math vs. State Avg+14.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+19.4 pts
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected+3.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,629

Francis T Bresnahan Elementary — Students at Francis T Bresnahan Elementary score 60% 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 56.5%
School
State
42.8%
ELA Proficiency 64.0%
School
State
46.1%

Based on 20 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
65%
ELA
68%
2019
Math
68%
ELA
73%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
76%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2023
Math
53%
ELA
60%
2024
Math
50%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
43%
ELA
43%

* 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: 2.5/10.

How Francis T Bresnahan Elementary Compares

See how Francis T Bresnahan Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
28th percentile in MA
Academic
8.1/10
8.1/10
Growth
2.5/10
Below average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Location

333 High Street, Newburyport, MA 01950

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Francis T Bresnahan Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Newbury Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Newbury), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dr John C Page School (rated 8.2/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby West Newbury), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Edward G. Molin Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newburyport, see our Newburyport schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Newburyport High Newburyport 0.7 mi 7.3
Rupert A Nock Middle Newburyport 0.9 mi 7.5
Edward G. Molin Elementary School Newburyport 0.9 mi 7.3
River Valley Charter School Newburyport 1.0 mi 7.2
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION NEWBURYPORT Newburyport 1.4 mi 5.6
NEWBURYPORT MONTESSORI SCHOOL Newburyport 1.5 mi
SPARHAWK SCHOOL INC Amesbury 2.2 mi 6.6
Newbury Elementary Newbury 2.4 mi 8.8
Amesbury Middle Amesbury 2.6 mi 6.2
Salisbury Elementary Salisbury 2.9 mi 6.4
Amesbury Innovation High School Amesbury 3.2 mi 4.8
AMESBURY MONTESSORI Amesbury 3.2 mi
Amesbury High Amesbury 3.2 mi 6.2
Charles C Cashman Elementary Amesbury 3.7 mi 7.0
Shay Elementary Amesbury 3.8 mi 6.2
Dr John C Page School West Newbury 3.4 mi 8.2
THE CHILDRENS CASTLE West Newbury 3.5 mi
Triton Regional Middle School Byfield 5.3 mi 7.3
Triton Regional High School Byfield 5.3 mi 6.4
Seabrook Middle School Seabrook 4.9 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 01950 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$144,259

Median Home Value

$792,400

Median Rent

$1,511/mo

Population

18,444

College Educated

65.9%

Homeownership

76.2%

Avg Commute

32.3 min

Poverty Rate

5.1%

Median Age

47.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Francis T Bresnahan Elementary has a median household income of $144,259. It is a well-educated community where 66% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $792,400, with a median rent of $1,511/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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
Belmont Street Community Worcester, MA 5.3
Chandler Elementary Community Worcester, MA 5.3
Emily G Wetherbee Lawrence, MA 5.3
Florence Sawyer School Bolton, MA 5.3
Glover Milton, MA 5.3
Leicester Elementary Leicester, MA 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Francis T Bresnahan Elementary

What grades does Francis T Bresnahan Elementary serve?

Francis T Bresnahan Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 3rd.

How many students attend Francis T Bresnahan Elementary?

Francis T Bresnahan Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 604 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Francis T Bresnahan Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Francis T Bresnahan Elementary is 9.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Francis T Bresnahan Elementary rank in MA?

Francis T Bresnahan Elementary is ranked #1290 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is Francis T Bresnahan Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Francis T Bresnahan Elementary has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Francis T Bresnahan Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Francis T Bresnahan Elementary has 56.5% math proficiency and 64.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Francis T Bresnahan Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Francis T Bresnahan Elementary a Title I school?

No, Francis T Bresnahan Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Average (442/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
604
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
61
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Essex County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Newburyport
District Enrollment
2,162
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,931
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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