Average
#1014 of 1,791 schools in MA
John K Tarbox
Elementary School · Lawrence
59 Alder Street, Lawrence, MA 01841
Enrollment
274
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
6.0
Grades
1st – 5th
Enrollment
274
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
6.0
Grades
1st – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lawrence
#7 of 29
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#573 of 1,022
In district
#6 of 26
Lawrence
School environment
7.3 / 10
Strong
About John K Tarbox
John K Tarbox is an elementary school located in Lawrence, Massachusetts, in Essex County. The school serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade and has a total enrollment of 274 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 11:1, the school provides individualized attention to its pupils.
John K Tarbox boasts 25 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to helping each child succeed. The academic performance at John K Tarbox is currently in need of improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1572 among the 1796 schools in Massachusetts (12th percentile). In terms of proficiency rates, only 22% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, 26% in Math, and 22% in Science.
While these numbers indicate room for growth, they also highlight the school's focus on developing foundational skills to support future academic success. The school is situated in a large suburban area with nearby amenities and community resources that contribute to the learning environment. John K Tarbox serves its students within a setting that aims to foster an inclusive and supportive atmosphere for all learners.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at John K Tarbox 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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John K Tarbox — Students at John K Tarbox score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
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 60 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 John K Tarbox Compares
See how John K Tarbox performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 17% (2022).
Location
59 Alder Street, Lawrence, MA 01841
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering John K Tarbox may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lawlor Early Childhood Center (rated 5.4/10, 0.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is ST MONICA SCHOOL (rated 4.7/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Methuen), a more accessible option. Additionally, Francis M Leahy (rated 4.3/10, 0.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lawrence, see our Lawrence schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington Middle School Lawrence | 0.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Arlington Elementary Lawrence | 0.2 mi | 2.9 |
| Lawlor Early Childhood Center Lawrence | 0.3 mi | 5.4 |
| RISE Academy Lawrence | 0.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Oliver Elementary School Lawrence | 0.5 mi | 2.5 |
| Francis M Leahy Lawrence | 0.6 mi | 4.3 |
| School for Exceptional Studies Lawrence | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Oliver Middle School Lawrence | 0.6 mi | 5.6 |
| BLESSED STEPHEN BELLESINI O.S.A. ACADEMY Lawrence | 0.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Lawrence Family Development Charter School Lawrence | 0.6 mi | 3.2 |
| Donald P Timony Grammar Methuen | 0.9 mi | 4.2 |
| NOTRE DAME CRISTO REY HIGH SCHOOL Methuen | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
| ESPERANZA ACADEMY Lawrence | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Methuen High Methuen | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
| ST MONICA SCHOOL Methuen | 0.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Tenney Grammar School Methuen | 1.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Alexander B Bruce Lawrence | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Gerard A. Guilmette Lawrence | 1.2 mi | 3.6 |
| Guilmette Middle School Lawrence | 1.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Phoenix Academy Public Charter High School Lawrence Lawrence | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 01841 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,525
Median Home Value
$393,800
Median Rent
$1,565/mo
Population
52,761
College Educated
14.6%
Homeownership
32.3%
Avg Commute
23.4 min
Poverty Rate
19.2%
Median Age
31.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding John K Tarbox has a median household income of $54,525. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $393,800, with a median rent of $1,565/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.2%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Aborn Lynn, MA | 6.0 |
| Belcher Chicopee, MA | 6.0 |
| Boston Teachers Union K-8 Pilot Jamaica Plain, MA | 6.0 |
| Cornelius M Callahan Norwood, MA | 6.0 |
| Essex Elementary Essex, MA | 6.0 |
| Falls North Attleborough, MA | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about John K Tarbox
What grades does John K Tarbox serve?
John K Tarbox serves students in grades 1st through 5th.
How many students attend John K Tarbox?
John K Tarbox has an enrollment of approximately 274 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at John K Tarbox?
The student-teacher ratio at John K Tarbox is 11:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does John K Tarbox rank in MA?
John K Tarbox is ranked #1014 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is John K Tarbox's MySchoolScout rating?
John K Tarbox has a composite rating of 6.0 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 K Tarbox?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, John K Tarbox has 26.0% math proficiency and 22.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is John K Tarbox a charter school?
No, John K Tarbox is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is John K Tarbox a Title I school?
No, John K Tarbox is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,440/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lawrence). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 1st – 5th
- Enrollment
- 274
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Essex County
- Phone
- (978) 975-5983
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lawrence- District Enrollment
- 13,008
- Schools in District
- 26
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,208
- District Rank
- #6 of 26
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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