Excellent
#123 of 1,793 schools in MA
Top 7% in state
James Russell Lowell
Elementary School · Watertown
123 Lowell Ave., Watertown, MA 02472
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Massachusetts schools
#123 of 1,793
In Watertown
#3 of 5
public schools
In district
#3 of 5
Watertown
School environment
9.6 / 10
Excellent
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James Russell Lowell
Elementary School in Watertown · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Waldorf High School of Massachusetts Bay
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Watertown Middle
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About James Russell Lowell
James Russell Lowell is a public elementary school in Watertown, MA, part of Watertown. James Russell Lowell serves approximately 376 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 9.4:1 student-teacher ratio. James Russell Lowell has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10 and ranks #123 of 1,793 schools in MA.
Structured state assessment records for James Russell Lowell show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.9 · Excellent
- District avg 8.9
- MA avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
At 9.4:1 students to teachers, James Russell Lowell sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
James Russell Lowell — Students at James Russell Lowell score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 76 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: 8.8/10.
How James Russell Lowell Compares
See how James Russell Lowell performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
123 Lowell Ave., Watertown, MA 02472
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James Russell Lowell may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Underwood (rated 9.1/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Newton Corner), with a very similar rating. Another option is Hosmer (rated 9.0/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Cunniff (rated 8.9/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Watertown, see our Watertown schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| WALDORF HIGH SCHOOL OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY Belmont | 0.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Watertown Middle Watertown | 0.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Daniel Butler Belmont | 0.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Watertown High Watertown | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Winthrop L Chenery Middle Belmont | 0.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Cunniff Watertown | 0.8 mi | 8.9 |
| PERKINS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND Watertown | 1.1 mi | 8.8 |
| Hosmer Watertown | 1.0 mi | 9.0 |
| Roger E Wellington Belmont | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| BELMONT DAY SCHOOL Belmont | 1.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Lincoln-Eliot Newton | 1.3 mi | 8.8 |
| ARLINGTON SCHOOL Belmont | 1.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Underwood Newton Corner | 1.5 mi | 9.1 |
| Mary Lee Burbank Belmont | 1.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Bigelow Middle Newton | 1.6 mi | 9.1 |
| Belmont High Belmont | 1.5 mi | 7.7 |
| CLEARWAY SCHOOL Newton | 1.6 mi | 5.8 |
| DEARBORN ACADEMY Newton | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| James Fitzgerald Elementary School Waltham | 1.4 mi | 6.0 |
| ST STEPHEN'S ARMENIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Watertown | 1.4 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02472 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$123,383
Median Home Value
$737,600
Median Rent
$2,356/mo
Population
35,317
College Educated
67.1%
Homeownership
48.8%
Avg Commute
26.2 min
Poverty Rate
6.1%
Median Age
38.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cunniff Watertown, MA | 8.9 |
| Hardy Arlington, MA | 8.9 |
| John F Kennedy Somerville, MA | 8.9 |
| Lillian M Jacobs Hull, MA | 8.9 |
| Loker School Wayland, MA | 8.9 |
| Paul P Gates Elementary School Acton, MA | 8.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James Russell Lowell
What grades does James Russell Lowell serve?
James Russell Lowell serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend James Russell Lowell?
James Russell Lowell has an enrollment of approximately 376 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Russell Lowell?
The student-teacher ratio at James Russell Lowell is 9.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James Russell Lowell rank in MA?
James Russell Lowell ranks #123 of 1,793 schools in MA.
What is James Russell Lowell's MySchoolScout rating?
James Russell Lowell has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 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 James Russell Lowell?
Based on loaded state assessment records, James Russell Lowell has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is James Russell Lowell a charter school?
No, James Russell Lowell is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James Russell Lowell a Title I school?
No, James Russell Lowell is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 376
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Middlesex County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 13.8%
- Phone
- (617) 926-7770
Resources & Links
District
Watertown- District Enrollment
- 2,717
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $28,148
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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