Average
#1254 of 1,793 schools in MA
Higginson-lewis K-8 School
Middle School · Boston
131 Walnut Avenue, Roxbury, MA 02119
Enrollment
169
Student-Teacher
7:1
Score
5.2
Grades
3rd – 8th
Enrollment
169
Student-Teacher
7:1
Score
5.2
Grades
3rd – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Massachusetts schools
#1,254 of 1,793
In Roxbury
#13 of 19
public schools
In district
#77 of 109
Boston
Academic growth
9.0 / 10
Excellent
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Higginson-lewis K-8 School
Middle School in Roxbury · grades 3rd – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
City on a Hill Charter Public School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Trotter Elementary School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Higginson-lewis K-8 School
Higginson-lewis K-8 School is a public middle school in Roxbury, MA, part of Boston. Higginson-lewis K-8 School serves approximately 169 students, and covers grades 3rd-8th, and has a 7:1 student-teacher ratio. Higginson-lewis K-8 School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,254 of 1,793 schools in MA.
Structured state assessment records for Higginson-lewis K-8 School show 5% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 11% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.2 · Average
- District avg 5.6
- MA avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 169 students, Higginson-lewis K-8 School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Test scores at Higginson-lewis K-8 School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
At 7:1 students to teachers, Higginson-lewis K-8 School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Higginson-lewis K-8 School — Students at Higginson-lewis K-8 School score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 130 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: 9.0/10.
How Higginson-lewis K-8 School Compares
See how Higginson-lewis K-8 School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Bridge Boston Charter School (rated 8.6/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hale Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Winthrop Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Dorchester), 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 | 4.8 |
| Trotter Elementary School Dorchester | 0.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Boston Latin Academy Dorchester | 0.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Bridge Boston Charter School Roxbury | 0.3 mi | 8.6 |
| Higginson Inclusion K-2 School Roxbury | 0.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Hale Elementary School Roxbury | 0.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Ellis Elementary School Roxbury | 0.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Boston Day and Evening Academy Charter School Roxbury | 0.5 mi | 3.1 |
| Dearborn 6-12 STEM Academy Roxbury | 0.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Haynes Early Education Center Roxbury | 0.6 mi | 6.4 |
| PAIGE ACADEMY Roxbury | 0.6 mi | — |
| O'Bryant School of Math & Science Roxbury | 0.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Winthrop Elementary School Dorchester | 0.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Madison Park Technical Vocational High School Roxbury | 0.8 mi | 5.0 |
| MALIK ACADEMY Roxbury Crossing | 0.8 mi | — |
| Hernandez K-8 School Roxbury | 0.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Orchard Gardens K-8 School Roxbury | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Greater Egleston High School Roxbury | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Dudley Street Neighborhood Charter School Boston | 0.7 mi | 5.5 |
| King Elementary School Dorchester | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Rise Academy at Van Sickle Springfield, MA | 5.2 |
| Springfield Realization Academy Springfield, MA | 5.1 |
| Memorial Middle Hull, MA | 5.5 |
| BLESSED STEPHEN BELLESINI O.S.A. ACADEMY Lawrence, MA | 5.6 |
| Impact Prep at Chestnut Springfield, MA | 5.6 |
| ST FRANCIS XAVIER PREP SCHOOL Hyannis, MA | 6.0 |
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 ranks #1,254 of 1,793 schools in MA.
What is Higginson-lewis K-8 School's MySchoolScout rating?
Higginson-lewis K-8 School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Higginson-lewis K-8 School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Higginson-lewis K-8 School has 5% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 11% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 62.7%
- Phone
- (617) 635-8137
Resources & Links
District
Boston- District Enrollment
- 45,742
- Schools in District
- 109
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $37,200
- District Rank
- #77 of 109
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