Average
#838 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 47% in state
Holmes Elementary School
Elementary School · Boston
40 School Street, Dorchester, MA 02124
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dorchester
#16 of 29
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#490 of 1,022
In district
#74 of 109
Boston
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Holmes Elementary School
Holmes Elementary School is a regular public school located in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, Holmes Elementary has an enrollment of 287 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, ensuring each child receives individualized attention. The school's setting within the heart of a large city provides unique opportunities for community engagement and learning.
Holmes Elementary's academic performance is currently in need of improvement, as evidenced by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and state ranking of 1462 out of 1796 schools in Massachusetts (19th percentile). On standardized tests, the school shows that 26% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, 17% in math, and 15% in science. While these numbers indicate room for academic growth, Holmes Elementary is committed to fostering a nurturing environment where every student can develop their skills and talents.
Holmes Elementary School is situated in Dorchester, providing students with access to the diverse resources of this vibrant neighborhood within a large city setting.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Holmes Elementary 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 9:1, Holmes Elementary 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
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Holmes Elementary School — Students at Holmes Elementary School score 17% 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 66 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: 6.5/10.
How Holmes Elementary School Compares
See how Holmes Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 22% (2022).
Location
40 School Street, Dorchester, MA 02124
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Holmes Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. EPIPHANY SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Dorchester Center), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lee Academy (rated 7.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Conservatory Lab Charter School (rated 7.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Dorchester, see our Dorchester schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02124 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,168
Median Home Value
$607,200
Median Rent
$1,783/mo
Population
55,897
College Educated
31.1%
Homeownership
42%
Avg Commute
35 min
Poverty Rate
16.9%
Median Age
36.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Holmes Elementary School has a median household income of $79,168. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $607,200, with a median rent of $1,783/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.9%. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Abbot Elementary Westford, MA | 6.4 |
| Beatrice H Wood Elementary Plainville, MA | 6.4 |
| Columbus Park Worcester, MA | 6.4 |
| Haley Pilot School Roslindale, MA | 6.4 |
| Herbert Clark Hoover Melrose, MA | 6.4 |
| John E Burke Peabody, MA | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Holmes Elementary School
What grades does Holmes Elementary School serve?
Holmes Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Holmes Elementary School?
Holmes Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 287 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Holmes Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Holmes Elementary School is 9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Holmes Elementary School rank in MA?
Holmes Elementary School is ranked #838 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Holmes Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Holmes Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Holmes Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Holmes Elementary School has 17.5% math proficiency and 26.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Holmes Elementary School a charter school?
No, Holmes Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Holmes Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Holmes Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 287
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Suffolk County
- Phone
- (617) 635-8681
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Boston- District Enrollment
- 45,742
- Schools in District
- 109
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $37,200
- District Rank
- #74 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
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