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
Enrollment
169
Student-Teacher
7:1
Score
6.7
Grades
3rd – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 108 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 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.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 4% (2019) to 2.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 10% (2019) to 7.5% (2022).
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.
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
- Phone
- (617) 635-8137
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 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.