Average
#1061 of 1,793 schools in MA
Holmes Elementary School
Elementary School · Boston
40 School Street, Dorchester, MA 02124
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Massachusetts schools
#1,061 of 1,793
In Dorchester
#13 of 29
public schools
In district
#62 of 109
Boston
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Holmes Elementary School
Elementary School in Dorchester · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Greenwood Sarah K-8 School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Up Academy Charter School of Dorchester
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Holmes Elementary School
Holmes Elementary School is a public elementary school in Dorchester, MA, part of Boston. Holmes Elementary School serves approximately 287 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 9:1 student-teacher ratio. Holmes Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,061 of 1,793 schools in MA.
Structured state assessment records for Holmes Elementary School show 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.8 · Average
- District avg 6.7
- MA avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
At 9:1 students to teachers, Holmes Elementary School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
51% of students at Holmes Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Holmes Elementary School — Students at Holmes Elementary School score 26% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 88 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: 6.1/10.
How Holmes Elementary School Compares
See how Holmes Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Henderson K-12 Inclusion School Lower (rated 9.4/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is EPIPHANY SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Dorchester Center), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Conservatory Lab Charter School (rated 7.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Everett Elementary School Dorchester, MA | 5.8 |
| Haley Pilot School Roslindale, MA | 5.8 |
| Houghton Elementary Sterling, MA | 5.8 |
| Hurley K-8 School Boston, MA | 5.8 |
| John Breen School Lawrence, MA | 5.8 |
| MOUNT ALVERNIA ACADEMY Chestnut Hill, MA | 5.8 |
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 ranks #1,061 of 1,793 schools in MA.
What is Holmes Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Holmes Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 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 Holmes Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Holmes Elementary School has 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 50.5%
- Phone
- (617) 635-8681
Resources & Links
District
Boston- District Enrollment
- 45,742
- Schools in District
- 109
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $37,200
- District Rank
- #62 of 109
How we rate schools
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