Excellent
#97 of 1,793 schools in MA
Top 5% in state
John Ward
Elementary School · Newton · Newton Centre, MA
A Newton elementary school where students score 23 points above what's typical for similar communities.
10 Dolphin Rd, Newton Centre, MA 02459
- Math 82% vs MA 42% (2025)
- Reading 76% vs MA 41% (2025)
- 10.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at John Ward score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
2025 MCAS proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. MA average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency is down 8 points across the 17-year record (2009–2025) and has held near 79% recently.
Show all 17 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 80% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 78% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 82 test records from MA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where John Ward sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Boston map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 37Car-Dependent
- Transit 45Some Transit
- Bike 26Somewhat Bikeable
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Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$214,941
Median home value
$1,336,200
Median rent
$2,308/mo
College educated
84.3%
Homeownership
83.3%
Poverty rate
3.4%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 02459; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Alvernia AcademyPrivate · tuition | 5.8private | PK–6 | 0.3 mi | 247 | Compare → |
| B C Campus SchoolPrivate · tuition | Not rated | PK–10 | 0.7 mi | 28 | Compare → |
| Edison K-8 SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 5.4 | PK–8 | 1.0 mi | 584 | Compare → |
| UnderwoodEnrollment path unverified | 9.1 | K–5 | 1.0 mi | 242 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Newton
- Schools in district
- 22
- Rank in district
- #7 of 22
- District spending per student
- $27,226NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 3.9%Census SAIPE · 2024
John Ward is listed in Newton; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About John Ward
John Ward is a public elementary school in Newton Centre, MA, part of Newton, serving approximately 212 students in grades Kindergarten-5th with a 10.1:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranks #97 of 1,793 schools in MA. State assessment records show 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
What's said publicly about John Ward
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about John Ward
What grades does John Ward serve?
John Ward serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend John Ward?
John Ward has an enrollment of approximately 212 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at John Ward?
The student-teacher ratio at John Ward is 10.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does John Ward rank in MA?
John Ward ranks #97 of 1,793 schools in MA.
What is John Ward's MySchoolScout rating?
John Ward has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 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 John Ward?
Based on loaded state assessment records, John Ward has 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is John Ward a charter school?
No, John Ward is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is John Ward a Title I school?
No, John Ward is not currently a Title I school.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 212
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Middlesex County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 8.0%
- Phone
- (617) 559-6450
- Area population (ZIP 02459)
- 18,604
- Area average commute
- 28.3 min
- Area median age
- 45.9
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 MCAS · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 MCAS · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- State assessments · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 02459; this does not measure the attendance area.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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