Excellent
#27 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 2% in state
John M Tobin
Elementary School · Cambridge
359 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139
Enrollment
326
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
9.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
326
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
9.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cambridge
#6 of 20
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#21 of 1,022
In district
#6 of 17
Cambridge
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About John M Tobin
John M Tobin is a public elementary school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, enrolling 326 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It earns a composite score of 9.2 out of 10, rated Exceptional, with a 9.4 academic score and an 8.9 growth score. The growth score is worth noting: it measures year-over-year student progress, meaning Tobin isn't just serving students who arrive prepared — it's actively accelerating their learning.
Statewide, the school ranks 27th out of 1,791 public schools, outperforming 98 percent of Massachusetts schools. That rank holds up at the elementary level too: Tobin sits 21st among the state's 1,022 elementary schools. In Cambridge, it places sixth out of 20 public schools — firmly in the district's top tier.
The student-teacher ratio of 10.2 to 1 gives every classroom a high degree of individual attention, a structural advantage that supports the consistent gains reflected in Tobin's scores. For parents evaluating elementary schools in Cambridge, Tobin stands out on both absolute performance and growth, offering a compelling combination at every grade level.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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John M Tobin — Students at John M Tobin score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
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 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: 8.9/10.
How John M Tobin Compares
See how John M Tobin performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 72% (2019) to 72% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 62% (2022).
Location
359 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering John M Tobin may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Martin Luther King Jr. (rated 9.9/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Maria L. Baldwin (rated 9.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Morse (rated 9.2/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Cambridge, see our Cambridge schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Prospect Hill Academy Charter School Cambridge | 0.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Cambridgeport Cambridge | 0.3 mi | 9.1 |
| Cambridge Rindge and Latin Cambridge | 0.5 mi | 9.0 |
| Fletcher/Maynard Academy Cambridge | 0.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Amigos School Cambridge | 0.6 mi | 9.0 |
| Albert F. Argenziano School at Lincoln Park Somerville | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Putnam Avenue Upper School Cambridge | 0.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Cambridge | 0.6 mi | 9.9 |
| SAINT PAUL'S CHOIR SCHOOL Cambridge | 0.6 mi | 7.8 |
| King Open Cambridge | 0.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Cambridge Street Upper School Cambridge | 0.6 mi | 7.9 |
| MALIK ACADEMY/ AL BUSTAN PRESCHOOL Cambridge | 0.9 mi | — |
| ST THERESA SCHOOL Somerville | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Maria L. Baldwin Cambridge | 1.0 mi | 9.9 |
| Kennedy-Longfellow Cambridge | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Vassal Lane Upper School Cambridge | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Somerville High Somerville | 1.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Next Wave Junior High Somerville | 1.1 mi | — |
| Full Circle High School Somerville | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Morse Cambridge | 1.1 mi | 9.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02139 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$124,648
Median Home Value
$1,066,200
Median Rent
$2,613/mo
Population
39,609
College Educated
77.6%
Homeownership
32%
Avg Commute
24.7 min
Poverty Rate
13.2%
Median Age
29.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding John M Tobin has a median household income of $124,648. It is a well-educated community where 78% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,066,200, with a median rent of $2,613/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.2%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Crocker Farm Elementary Amherst, MA | 9.2 |
| Henry C Sanborn Elementary Andover, MA | 9.2 |
| Katharine Lee Bates Wellesley, MA | 9.2 |
| Morse Cambridge, MA | 9.2 |
| William E Sheehan Westwood, MA | 9.2 |
| Bradley Elementary School East Boston, MA | 9.1 |
Compare John M Tobin with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
- CompareJohn M Tobin vs Martin Luther King Jr.Cambridge, MA Peer score 9.9/10 +0.7 vs John M Tobin
- CompareJohn M Tobin vs MorseCambridge, MA Peer score 9.2/10 About even with John M Tobin
- CompareJohn M Tobin vs Amigos SchoolCambridge, MA Peer score 9.0/10 -0.2 vs John M Tobin
- CompareJohn M Tobin vs Maria L. BaldwinCambridge, MA Peer score 9.9/10 +0.7 vs John M Tobin
- CompareJohn M Tobin vs Graham and ParksCambridge, MA Peer score 9.4/10 +0.2 vs John M Tobin
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about John M Tobin
What grades does John M Tobin serve?
John M Tobin serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend John M Tobin?
John M Tobin has an enrollment of approximately 326 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at John M Tobin?
The student-teacher ratio at John M Tobin is 10.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does John M Tobin rank in MA?
John M Tobin is ranked #27 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is John M Tobin's MySchoolScout rating?
John M Tobin has a composite rating of 9.2 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 M Tobin?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, John M Tobin has 70.7% math proficiency and 75.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is John M Tobin a charter school?
No, John M Tobin is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is John M Tobin a Title I school?
No, John M Tobin is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 94 Walker's Paradise
- Transit Score
- 80 Excellent Transit
- Bike Score
- 100 Biker’s Paradise
- City Safety
- High (3,093/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cambridge). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 326
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Middlesex County
- Phone
- (617) 349-6600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cambridge- District Enrollment
- 6,915
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $40,666
- District Rank
- #6 of 17
Other Schools in This District
Compare This School
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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