Excellent
#105 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 6% in state
John Eliot
Elementary School · Needham
135 Wellesley Avenue, Needham, MA 02494
Enrollment
402
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
402
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Needham
#3 of 8
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#67 of 1,022
In district
#3 of 8
Needham
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About John Eliot
John Eliot is a public elementary school in Needham, MA, part of the Needham. The school serves approximately 402 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 94.2th percentile among MA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 61% proficiency in math, 18 points above the state average and 63% in reading/language arts, 17 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $173,750, where 75% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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John Eliot — Students at John Eliot score 57% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 60 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: 9.6/10.
How John Eliot Compares
See how John Eliot performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 53% (2019) to 56% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 64% (2019) to 58% (2022).
Location
135 Wellesley Avenue, Needham, MA 02494
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering John Eliot may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. A E Angier (rated 9.5/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Waban), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Newman Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Joseph E Fiske (rated 8.6/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Wellesley), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Needham, see our Needham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sunita L. Williams Elementary Needham | 0.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Joseph E Fiske Wellesley | 0.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Preschool at Wellesley Schools Wellesley | 0.7 mi | 8.2 |
| RIVERSIDE SCHOOL Needham | 0.9 mi | — |
| HAPPY CHILD PRESCHOOL/DAY CARE CENTER Newton | 1.0 mi | — |
| Schofield Wellesley | 1.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Needham High Needham | 1.4 mi | 9.0 |
| A E Angier Waban | 1.5 mi | 9.5 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Needham | 1.6 mi | 4.7 |
| FUSION ACADEMY NEWTON Newton | 1.2 mi | 5.3 |
| William Mitchell Needham | 1.5 mi | 8.5 |
| ST JOHN SCHOOL Wellesley | 1.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Newman Elementary Needham | 1.9 mi | 9.0 |
| High Rock School Needham | 2.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Zervas Waban | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Pollard Middle Needham | 2.1 mi | 8.5 |
| MONTESSORI DAY SCHOOL OF WELLESLEY HILLS Wellesley Hls | 1.7 mi | — |
| Peirce West Newton | 2.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Williams Auburndale | 2.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Countryside Newton Highlands | 2.0 mi | 8.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02494 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$173,750
Median Home Value
$1,052,400
Median Rent
$2,452/mo
Population
10,578
College Educated
74.6%
Homeownership
72.7%
Avg Commute
27.5 min
Poverty Rate
2.9%
Median Age
43.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding John Eliot has a median household income of $173,750. It is a well-educated community where 75% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,052,400, with a median rent of $2,452/month. The local poverty rate of 2.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
| James Russell Lowell Watertown, MA | 8.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about John Eliot
What grades does John Eliot serve?
John Eliot serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend John Eliot?
John Eliot has an enrollment of approximately 402 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at John Eliot?
The student-teacher ratio at John Eliot is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does John Eliot rank in MA?
John Eliot is ranked #105 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is John Eliot's MySchoolScout rating?
John Eliot 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 John Eliot?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, John Eliot has 60.5% math proficiency and 63.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is John Eliot a charter school?
No, John Eliot is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is John Eliot a Title I school?
No, John Eliot is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 28 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 22 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 33 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- Elevated (702/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Needham). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 402
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Norfolk County
- Phone
- (781) 455-0452
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Needham- District Enrollment
- 5,541
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $24,189
- District Rank
- #3 of 8
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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