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Excellent

#10 of 1,791 schools in MA

Top 1% in state

Graham and Parks

Elementary School · Cambridge

44 Linnaean Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

Enrollment

396

Student-Teacher

11.3:1

Score

9.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cambridge

#3 of 20

public schools

Massachusetts elementary schools

#8 of 1,022

In district

#3 of 17

Cambridge

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Graham and Parks

Graham and Parks is a public elementary school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, serving students in prekindergarten through fifth grade. With 396 students and an 11.3-to-1 student-teacher ratio, the school maintains small class environments that support close instruction across every grade. The school earns a composite score of 9.4 out of 10, rated Exceptional, driven by a 9.8 growth score that ranks among the strongest in the state.

That growth figure reflects consistent academic momentum year over year, not just a strong starting point. Graham and Parks ranks 8th among 1,022 public elementary schools in Massachusetts and sits at 10th out of 1,791 public schools statewide across all levels — a result that places it ahead of every other public school in the state by composite performance. Within Cambridge, the school holds the 3rd spot among 20 public schools, making it one of the top choices for families already inside the district.

Parents comparing elementary options across Greater Boston will find few schools that combine this level of academic achievement with this rate of student growth. For families prioritizing measurable outcomes at the elementary level, Graham and Parks stands out as one of the most effective public schools in Massachusetts.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change+1.08 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.6Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Math vs. State Avg+14.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.4 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected+13.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$38,967

Graham and Parks — Students at Graham and Parks score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

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 54.3%
School
State
43.0%
ELA Proficiency 57.1%
School
State
45.6%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2018
Math
49%
ELA
53.3%
2019
Math
49.3%
ELA
58.5%
2021*
Math
42.3%
ELA
59.8%
2022
Math
59.8%
ELA
57.5%
2023
Math
62.3%
ELA
61.3%
2024
Math
58.7%
ELA
54%
2025
Math
62.7%
ELA
54%

* 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 Graham and Parks Compares

See how Graham and Parks performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.4/10
100th percentile in MA
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Location

44 Linnaean Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Graham and Parks may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Maria L. Baldwin (rated 9.9/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Martin Luther King Jr. (rated 9.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, John M Tobin (rated 9.2/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Cambridge, see our Cambridge schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
ST PETER SCHOOL Cambridge 0.3 mi 6.6
Maria L. Baldwin Cambridge 0.4 mi 9.9
CAMBRIDGE FRIENDS SCHOOL Cambridge 0.5 mi 7.4
Peabody Cambridge 0.7 mi 7.0
Rindge Avenue Upper School Cambridge 0.7 mi 9.3
John F Kennedy Somerville 0.6 mi 8.9
Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School Cambridge 0.7 mi 8.7
WILD ROSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Cambridge 0.8 mi
Cambridge Rindge and Latin Cambridge 0.9 mi 9.0
SAINT PAUL'S CHOIR SCHOOL Cambridge 1.0 mi 7.8
ST THERESA SCHOOL Somerville 0.8 mi 6.3
BUCKINGHAM BROWNE & NICHOLS SCHOOL Cambridge 1.0 mi 4.9
Benjamin G Brown Somerville 1.1 mi 6.7
SHADY HILL SCHOOL Cambridge 1.1 mi 7.4
Putnam Avenue Upper School Cambridge 1.3 mi 8.7
THE CAMBRIDGE MATIGNON SCHOOL Cambridge 1.3 mi 5.3
Martin Luther King Jr. Cambridge 1.3 mi 9.9
West Somerville Neighborhood Somerville 1.6 mi 8.3
John M Tobin Cambridge 1.3 mi 9.2
MALIK ACADEMY/ AL BUSTAN PRESCHOOL Cambridge 1.6 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02138 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$122,040

Median Home Value

$1,088,700

Median Rent

$2,799/mo

Population

38,077

College Educated

85.6%

Homeownership

40.9%

Avg Commute

24.3 min

Poverty Rate

12.6%

Median Age

28.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Graham and Parks has a median household income of $122,040. It is a well-educated community where 86% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,088,700, with a median rent of $2,799/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.6%. 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
A E Angier Waban, MA 9.5
Bowman Lexington, MA 9.3
Happy Hollow School Wayland, MA 9.3
Joseph Estabrook Lexington, MA 9.3
Warren-Prescott K-8 School Charlestown, MA 9.3
William H Lincoln Brookline, MA 9.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Graham and Parks

What grades does Graham and Parks serve?

Graham and Parks serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Graham and Parks?

Graham and Parks has an enrollment of approximately 396 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Graham and Parks?

The student-teacher ratio at Graham and Parks is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Graham and Parks rank in MA?

Graham and Parks is ranked #10 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is Graham and Parks's MySchoolScout rating?

Graham and Parks has a composite rating of 9.4 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 Graham and Parks?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Graham and Parks has 54.3% math proficiency and 57.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Graham and Parks a charter school?

No, Graham and Parks is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Graham and Parks a Title I school?

No, Graham and Parks is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
91 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
74 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
94 Biker’s Paradise
City Safety
High (3,093/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Compare This School

How does Graham and Parks stack up?

Martin Luther King Jr.
9.9
Haggerty
9.3
John M Tobin
9.2
Compare Selected →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
396
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Type
alternative
Setting
Midsize City
County
Middlesex County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cambridge
District Enrollment
6,915
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$40,666
District Rank
#3 of 17

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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