Excellent
#108 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 6% in state
James Russell Lowell
Elementary School · Watertown
123 Lowell Ave., Watertown, MA 02472
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Watertown
#1 of 5
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#70 of 1,022
In district
#1 of 5
Watertown
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About James Russell Lowell
James Russell Lowell is a public elementary school in Watertown, MA, part of the Watertown. The school serves approximately 376 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 94th percentile among MA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 57% proficiency in math, 15 points above the state average and 58% in reading/language arts, 13 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $123,383, where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1, James Russell Lowell 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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James Russell Lowell — Students at James Russell Lowell score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 54 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: 8.5/10.
How James Russell Lowell Compares
See how James Russell Lowell performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 62% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 57% (2022).
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. Cunniff (rated 8.4/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Lincoln-Eliot (rated 8.4/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Newton), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Underwood (rated 8.4/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Newton Corner), 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 | 7.6 |
| Watertown High Watertown | 0.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Winthrop L Chenery Middle Belmont | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Cunniff Watertown | 0.8 mi | 8.4 |
| PERKINS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND Watertown | 1.1 mi | 8.8 |
| Hosmer Watertown | 1.0 mi | 8.3 |
| Roger E Wellington Belmont | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| BELMONT DAY SCHOOL Belmont | 1.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Lincoln-Eliot Newton | 1.3 mi | 8.4 |
| ARLINGTON SCHOOL Belmont | 1.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Underwood Newton Corner | 1.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Mary Lee Burbank Belmont | 1.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Bigelow Middle Newton | 1.6 mi | 8.8 |
| 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 | 6.5 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding James Russell Lowell has a median household income of $123,383. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $737,600, with a median rent of $2,356/month. The local poverty rate of 6.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School Cambridge, MA | 8.7 |
| Downey Westwood, MA | 8.7 |
| East Elementary School Hingham, MA | 8.7 |
| Greenlodge Dedham, MA | 8.7 |
| Hardy Arlington, MA | 8.7 |
| John Eliot Needham, MA | 8.7 |
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 is ranked #108 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is James Russell Lowell's MySchoolScout rating?
James Russell Lowell has a composite rating of 8.7 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 James Russell Lowell?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James Russell Lowell has 56.7% math proficiency and 57.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- Walk Score
- 73 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 45 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 55 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,018/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Watertown). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (617) 926-7770
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Watertown- District Enrollment
- 2,717
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $28,148
- District Rank
- #1 of 5
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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