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Very Good

#286 of 1,791 schools in MA

Top 16% in state

Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School

Middle School · Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public (District)

23 Leonard Street, Boston, MA 02122

Charter

Enrollment

95

Student-Teacher

7.3:1

Score

7.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Boston

#4 of 15

public schools

Massachusetts middle schools

#44 of 305

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School

Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School is a middle school located in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts, on Leonard Street. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, this charter school currently has an enrollment of 95 students and maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 7.3:1 with 13 full-time equivalent teachers.

Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy focuses on providing a supportive learning environment for its middle schoolers. With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10, the school is ranked at #938 among 1796 schools in Massachusetts, placing it around the 48th percentile statewide.

Academically, students perform with room for growth: 25% are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 18% in Math, and 20% in Science. While the academic performance data shows areas where improvement is needed, Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy offers a dedicated community of learners and educators who work together to foster student development.

Nestled within Boston’s bustling city life, the school provides a unique urban setting that immerses students in the vibrant culture and resources of one of America's historic cities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 95 students, Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.3:1, Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School 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.

Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change-0.83 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.2Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Math vs. State Avg-14.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.5 pts
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected+5.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$32,884

Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School — Students at Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MA MCAS (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 18.4%
School
State
42.3%
ELA Proficiency 24.7%
School
State
45.9%

Based on 64 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2018
Math
16%
ELA
19%
2019
Math
27.2%
ELA
30.8%
2021*
Math
14.8%
ELA
22.6%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
33%
2023
Math
18%
ELA
22.5%
2024
Math
10.3%
ELA
17.5%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School Compares

See how Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
84th percentile in MA
Academic
6.2/10
6.2/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Location

23 Leonard Street, Boston, MA 02122

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. BOSTON COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Dorchester), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Frederick Pilot Middle School (rated 6.3/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Dorchester), a more accessible option. For more schools in Boston, see our Boston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Community Academy of Science and Health Dorchester 0.1 mi 7.0
Mather Elementary School Dorchester 0.5 mi 7.5
Henderson K-12 Inclusion School Lower Dorchester 0.5 mi 7.0
Neighborhood House Charter School Dorchester 0.6 mi 5.1
EPIPHANY SCHOOL Dorchester Center 0.7 mi 8.0
CRISTO REY BOSTON HIGH SCHOOL Dorchester 0.8 mi 5.5
Murphy K-8 School Dorchester 0.7 mi 7.4
UP Academy Charter School of Dorchester Boston 0.6 mi 6.4
Everett Elementary School Dorchester 0.9 mi 7.0
Conservatory Lab Charter School Dorchester 0.9 mi 7.4
UP Academy Holland Dorchester 0.8 mi 4.8
Kenny Elementary School Dorchester 1.1 mi 6.5
Codman Academy Charter Public School Dorchester 1.0 mi 5.9
Holmes Elementary School Dorchester 0.9 mi 6.4
Frederick Pilot Middle School Dorchester 1.0 mi 6.3
Russell Elementary School Dorchester 1.3 mi 5.1
ST JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC ACAD.-REGIONAL OFFICE Dorchester 1.3 mi 5.8
ST JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC ACADEMY COLUMBIA CAMP Dorchester 1.3 mi 6.7
BOSTON COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL Dorchester 1.2 mi 8.5
King Elementary School Dorchester 1.1 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02122 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$82,945

Median Home Value

$656,400

Median Rent

$2,052/mo

Population

23,471

College Educated

37.5%

Homeownership

43.7%

Avg Commute

33.2 min

Poverty Rate

14.7%

Median Age

36.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School has a median household income of $82,945. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $656,400, with a median rent of $2,052/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. 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
OUR SISTERS' SCHOOL New Bedford, MA 7.9
NATIVITY PREPARATORY SCHOOL Jamaica Plain, MA 7.3
Springfield Public Day Middle School Springfield, MA 7.3
NATIVITY SCHOOL OF WORCESTER Worcester, MA 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School

What grades does Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School serve?

Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School?

Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School has an enrollment of approximately 95 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School?

The student-teacher ratio at Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School is 7.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School rank in MA?

Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School is ranked #286 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School's MySchoolScout rating?

Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public 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 Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School has 18.4% math proficiency and 24.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School a charter school?

Yes, Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School a Title I school?

No, Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
94 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
68 Good Transit
Bike Score
74 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,653/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
95
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Suffolk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public (District)
District Enrollment
95
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$43,202
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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