Excellent
#114 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 6% in state
High Rock School
Middle School · Needham
77 Ferndale Road, Needham, MA 02492
Enrollment
447
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
8.6
Grades
6th – 6th
Enrollment
447
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
8.6
Grades
6th – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Needham
#4 of 8
public schools
Massachusetts middle schools
#18 of 305
In district
#4 of 8
Needham
Equity
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About High Rock School
High Rock School is a public middle school in Needham, MA, part of the Needham. The school serves approximately 447 students in grades 6th – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 93.7th percentile among MA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 74% proficiency in math, 31 points above the state average and 76% in reading/language arts, 30 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (8.1/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $222,063, where 84% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
High Rock School — Students at High Rock School score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 34 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: 8.0/10.
How High Rock School Compares
See how High Rock School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 77% (2019) to 80% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 74% (2022).
Location
77 Ferndale Road, Needham, MA 02492
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering High Rock School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Newman Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Needham High (rated 9.0/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Wellesley Sr High (rated 8.9/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Wellesley), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Needham, see our Needham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Needham | 0.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Newman Elementary Needham | 0.8 mi | 9.0 |
| Pollard Middle Needham | 0.9 mi | 8.5 |
| Needham High Needham | 1.1 mi | 9.0 |
| Sunita L. Williams Elementary Needham | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| William Mitchell Needham | 1.5 mi | 8.5 |
| WALKER SCHOOL Needham | 1.7 mi | 8.5 |
| John Eliot Needham | 2.2 mi | 8.7 |
| Broadmeadow Needham | 1.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Chickering Dover | 2.1 mi | 6.8 |
| RIVERSIDE SCHOOL Needham | 2.3 mi | — |
| Joseph E Fiske Wellesley | 2.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Preschool at Wellesley Schools Wellesley | 2.7 mi | 8.2 |
| HAPPY CHILD PRESCHOOL/DAY CARE CENTER Newton | 2.6 mi | — |
| FUSION ACADEMY NEWTON Newton | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Wellesley Sr High Wellesley | 2.6 mi | 8.9 |
| TENACRE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Wellesley | 2.4 mi | 7.7 |
| MONTESSORI DAY SCHOOL OF WELLESLEY HILLS Wellesley Hls | 2.8 mi | — |
| CHARLES RIVER SCHOOL Dover | 2.7 mi | 7.0 |
| THE RASHI SCHOOL Dedham | 2.4 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02492 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$222,063
Median Home Value
$1,177,300
Median Rent
$2,256/mo
Population
21,481
College Educated
84.1%
Homeownership
90.7%
Avg Commute
29.2 min
Poverty Rate
4.2%
Median Age
42.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding High Rock School has a median household income of $222,063. It is a well-educated community where 84% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,177,300, with a median rent of $2,256/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Blanchard Middle Westford, MA | 8.6 |
| BOSTON COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL Dorchester, MA | 8.5 |
| North Reading Middle North Reading, MA | 8.5 |
| Putnam Avenue Upper School Cambridge, MA | 8.7 |
| Watertown Middle Watertown, MA | 8.4 |
| Bigelow Middle Newton, MA | 8.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about High Rock School
What grades does High Rock School serve?
High Rock School serves students in grades 6th through 6th.
How many students attend High Rock School?
High Rock School has an enrollment of approximately 447 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at High Rock School?
The student-teacher ratio at High Rock School is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does High Rock School rank in MA?
High Rock School is ranked #114 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is High Rock School's MySchoolScout rating?
High Rock School has a composite rating of 8.6 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 High Rock School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, High Rock School has 74.2% math proficiency and 75.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is High Rock School a charter school?
No, High Rock School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is High Rock School a Title I school?
No, High Rock School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 6th
- Enrollment
- 447
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Norfolk County
- Phone
- (781) 455-0400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Needham- District Enrollment
- 5,541
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $24,189
- District Rank
- #4 of 8
Other Schools in This District
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
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