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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change-0.78 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.6Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency80%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74%
Math vs. State Avg+37.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+31.1 pts
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)61%
vs. Expected+16.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile94th
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,810

High Rock School — Students at High Rock School score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 74.2%
School
State
43.2%
ELA Proficiency 75.8%
School
State
46.2%

Based on 34 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
80%
ELA
80%
2019
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
61%
ELA
73%
2022
Math
80%
ELA
74%
2023
Math
75%
ELA
74%
2024
Math
70%
ELA
71%
2025
Math
79%
ELA
76%

* 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.

Overall Score
8.6/10
94th percentile in MA
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
8.1/10
Above average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
44 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
28 Some Transit
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (702/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Needham). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Needham
District Enrollment
5,541
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$24,189
District Rank
#4 of 8

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

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