Skip to main content

Average

#711 of 1,791 schools in MA

Top 40% in state

Higginson-lewis K-8 School

Middle School · Boston

131 Walnut Avenue, Roxbury, MA 02119

Enrollment

169

Student-Teacher

7:1

Score

6.7

Grades

3rd – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Roxbury

#12 of 19

public schools

Massachusetts middle schools

#102 of 305

In district

#67 of 109

Boston

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Higginson-lewis K-8 School

Higginson-Lewis K-8 School is a regular public school located in Roxbury, Massachusetts, within Suffolk County. The school serves students from third to eighth grade with an enrollment of 169 students and a student-teacher ratio of 7:1. With 24 full-time equivalent teachers, the school aims to provide personalized attention to each student.

According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, Higginson-Lewis ranks in the 23rd percentile among Massachusetts schools with an overall score of 3.9 out of 10 and a low academic score of 1.1 out of 10. The school's proficiency rates show that only 8% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 4% are proficient or above in Math, and 6% in Science. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development to improve academic performance.

While Higginson-Lewis K-8 School has room for improvement in test scores, it remains a significant part of the Roxbury community within a large city setting, offering its students support and resources tailored to their needs.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 169 students, Higginson-lewis K-8 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.

While current test scores at Higginson-lewis K-8 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 7:1, Higginson-lewis K-8 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 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change-0.25 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendStable
Academics2.0Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency7.5%
Math vs. State Avg-39.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-35.1 pts
Overall Proficiency5%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected-15.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$34,835

Higginson-lewis K-8 School — Students at Higginson-lewis K-8 School score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

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 (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 4.4%
School
State
42.4%
ELA Proficiency 8.2%
School
State
45.5%

Based on 108 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
5.3%
ELA
10.5%
2019
Math
3.6%
ELA
10.6%
2021*
Math
3.9%
ELA
5.8%
2022
Math
5.2%
ELA
9.2%
2023
Math
3.2%
ELA
6%
2024
Math
4.7%
ELA
7.3%
2025
Math
5%
ELA
8%

* 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: 8.9/10.

How Higginson-lewis K-8 School Compares

See how Higginson-lewis K-8 School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
60th percentile in MA
Academic
2.0/10
2.0/10
Growth
8.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Location

131 Walnut Avenue, Roxbury, MA 02119

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Higginson-lewis K-8 School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Hale Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Winthrop Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Dorchester), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bridge Boston Charter School (rated 8.1/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Roxbury, see our Roxbury schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.9 mi
School Distance Rating
City on a Hill Charter Public School Roxbury 0.2 mi 5.5
Trotter Elementary School Dorchester 0.4 mi 5.3
Boston Latin Academy Dorchester 0.3 mi 7.1
Bridge Boston Charter School Roxbury 0.3 mi 8.1
Higginson Inclusion K-2 School Roxbury 0.3 mi 6.8
Hale Elementary School Roxbury 0.4 mi 8.2
Ellis Elementary School Roxbury 0.5 mi 7.3
Boston Day and Evening Academy Charter School Roxbury 0.5 mi 7.0
Dearborn 6-12 STEM Academy Roxbury 0.5 mi 5.8
Haynes Early Education Center Roxbury 0.6 mi 6.9
PAIGE ACADEMY Roxbury 0.6 mi
O'Bryant School of Math & Science Roxbury 0.7 mi 7.3
Winthrop Elementary School Dorchester 0.6 mi 8.2
Madison Park Technical Vocational High School Roxbury 0.8 mi 5.5
MALIK ACADEMY Roxbury Crossing 0.8 mi
Hernandez K-8 School Roxbury 0.7 mi 7.5
Orchard Gardens K-8 School Roxbury 0.8 mi 6.6
Greater Egleston High School Roxbury 0.8 mi 7.2
Dudley Street Neighborhood Charter School Boston 0.7 mi 5.0
King Elementary School Dorchester 0.9 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02119 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$43,255

Median Home Value

$668,900

Median Rent

$1,252/mo

Population

26,851

College Educated

29.8%

Homeownership

24.5%

Avg Commute

29.2 min

Poverty Rate

27.5%

Median Age

35.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Higginson-lewis K-8 School has a median household income of $43,255. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $668,900, with a median rent of $1,252/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Rockport Middle Rockport, MA 6.6
Impact Prep at Chestnut Springfield, MA 6.2
South End Middle School Springfield, MA 7.2
Marblehead Community Charter Public School Marblehead, MA 6.1
ST FRANCIS XAVIER PREP SCHOOL Hyannis, MA 6.0
Emergence Academy Springfield, MA 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Higginson-lewis K-8 School

What grades does Higginson-lewis K-8 School serve?

Higginson-lewis K-8 School serves students in grades 3rd through 8th.

How many students attend Higginson-lewis K-8 School?

Higginson-lewis K-8 School has an enrollment of approximately 169 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Higginson-lewis K-8 School?

The student-teacher ratio at Higginson-lewis K-8 School is 7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Higginson-lewis K-8 School rank in MA?

Higginson-lewis K-8 School is ranked #711 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is Higginson-lewis K-8 School's MySchoolScout rating?

Higginson-lewis K-8 School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Higginson-lewis K-8 School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Higginson-lewis K-8 School has 4.4% math proficiency and 8.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Higginson-lewis K-8 School a charter school?

No, Higginson-lewis K-8 School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Higginson-lewis K-8 School a Title I school?

No, Higginson-lewis K-8 School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
3rd – 8th
Enrollment
169
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Suffolk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Boston
District Enrollment
45,742
Schools in District
109
Per-Pupil Spending
$37,200
District Rank
#67 of 109

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

Related 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.