Average
#909 of 1,791 schools in MA
Henry Whittemore Elementary School
Elementary School · Waltham
30 Parmenter Road, Waltham, MA 02453
Enrollment
386
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
386
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waltham
#5 of 10
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#520 of 1,022
In district
#5 of 10
Waltham
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Henry Whittemore Elementary School
Henry Whittemore Elementary School is a regular public school located in Waltham, Massachusetts, on Parmenter Road. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 386 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1 with 40 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Henry Whittemore Elementary is currently rated 3.8 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 20th percentile among Massachusetts schools.
In terms of proficiency rates, only 25% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 26% in Math, and 22% in Science. Despite these challenges, the school continues to focus on student development and academic growth. Located in a small city setting, Henry Whittemore Elementary is part of the Waltham community, offering its students a range of local resources and opportunities for engagement with the neighborhood.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Henry Whittemore Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, Henry Whittemore Elementary 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Henry Whittemore Elementary School — Students at Henry Whittemore Elementary School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 54 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.5/10.
How Henry Whittemore Elementary School Compares
See how Henry Whittemore Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 17% (2022).
Location
30 Parmenter Road, Waltham, MA 02453
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Henry Whittemore Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Peirce (rated 8.5/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby West Newton), which scores notably higher. Another option is C C Burr (rated 8.4/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Auburndale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cunniff (rated 8.4/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Watertown), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Waltham, see our Waltham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin West Newton | 0.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Waltham Public Schools Dual Language Program Waltham | 0.4 mi | 5.1 |
| John W. McDevitt Middle School Waltham | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| F A Day Middle Newtonville | 1.0 mi | 8.9 |
| C C Burr Auburndale | 1.1 mi | 8.4 |
| Newton Early Childhood Program Newton | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| LEARNING PREP SCHOOL West Newton | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL, INC DBA JCDS BOSTONS Watertown | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Horace Mann Newtonville | 1.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Thomas R Plympton Elementary School Waltham | 1.4 mi | 5.6 |
| William F. Stanley Elementary School Waltham | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Peirce West Newton | 1.6 mi | 8.5 |
| CHAPEL HILL CHAUNCY HALL SCHOOL Waltham | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
| James Fitzgerald Elementary School Waltham | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Newton North High Newtonville | 1.7 mi | 8.9 |
| Waltham Sr High Waltham | 2.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Williams Auburndale | 1.9 mi | 8.3 |
| John F Kennedy Middle Waltham | 2.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Cunniff Watertown | 1.7 mi | 8.4 |
| GANN ACADEMY-THE NEW JEWISH HIGH SCHOOL Waltham | 2.2 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02453 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$114,029
Median Home Value
$666,300
Median Rent
$2,063/mo
Population
30,314
College Educated
58.5%
Homeownership
41.9%
Avg Commute
23.5 min
Poverty Rate
9%
Median Age
34.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Henry Whittemore Elementary School has a median household income of $114,029. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $666,300, with a median rent of $2,063/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% 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 |
|---|---|
| Franklin West Newton, MA | 6.3 |
| Green Meadow Maynard, MA | 6.3 |
| Lura A. White Elementary School Shirley, MA | 6.3 |
| North Pembroke Elementary Pembroke, MA | 6.3 |
| ST COLUMBKILLE PARTNERSHIP SCHOOL Brighton, MA | 6.3 |
| ST MICHAELS ACADEMY Springfield, MA | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Henry Whittemore Elementary School
What grades does Henry Whittemore Elementary School serve?
Henry Whittemore Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Henry Whittemore Elementary School?
Henry Whittemore Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 386 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Henry Whittemore Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Henry Whittemore Elementary School is 9.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Henry Whittemore Elementary School rank in MA?
Henry Whittemore Elementary School is ranked #909 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Henry Whittemore Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Henry Whittemore Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Henry Whittemore Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Henry Whittemore Elementary School has 26.6% math proficiency and 25.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Henry Whittemore Elementary School a charter school?
No, Henry Whittemore Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Henry Whittemore Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Henry Whittemore Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (962/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Waltham). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 386
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Middlesex County
- Phone
- (781) 314-5785
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Waltham- District Enrollment
- 5,709
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,267
- District Rank
- #5 of 10
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.