Excellent
#97 of 1,793 schools in MA
Top 5% in state
John Ward
Elementary School · Newton
10 Dolphin Rd, Newton Centre, MA 02459
Enrollment
212
Student-Teacher
10.1:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
212
Student-Teacher
10.1:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Massachusetts schools
#97 of 1,793
In Newton Centre
#4 of 7
public schools
In district
#7 of 22
Newton
School environment
9.9 / 10
Excellent
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John Ward
Elementary School in Newton Centre · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mason-rice
Newton Centre, MA. Compare side by side with John Ward before ruling this option in or out.
Mount Alvernia Academy
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About John Ward
John Ward is a public elementary school in Newton Centre, MA, part of Newton. John Ward serves approximately 212 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 10.1:1 student-teacher ratio. John Ward has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranks #97 of 1,793 schools in MA.
Structured state assessment records for John Ward 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)
- This school 9.0 · Excellent
- District avg 8.3
- MA avg 6.3
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
John Ward — Students at John Ward score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 82 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: 8.1/10.
How John Ward Compares
See how John Ward performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
10 Dolphin Rd, Newton Centre, MA 02459
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering John Ward may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Underwood (rated 9.1/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Newton Corner), with a very similar rating. Another option is Lincoln-Eliot (rated 8.8/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Newton), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mason-Rice (rated 8.6/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Newton Centre, see our Newton Centre schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MOUNT ALVERNIA ACADEMY Chestnut Hill | 0.3 mi | 5.8 |
| MT ALVERNIA HIGH SCHOOL Newton | 0.5 mi | 7.1 |
| B C CAMPUS SCHOOL Chestnut Hill | 0.7 mi | — |
| Bigelow Middle Newton | 0.9 mi | 9.1 |
| NEWTON COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Newton | 0.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Underwood Newton Corner | 1.0 mi | 9.1 |
| THE CHESTNUT HILLSCHOOL Chestnut Hill | 1.1 mi | 8.4 |
| Edison K-8 School Brighton | 1.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Lyon K-8 School Brighton | 1.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Bowen Newton Centre | 1.4 mi | 7.3 |
| WELLAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Newton | 1.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Cabot Newtonville | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| PERKINS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND Watertown | 1.5 mi | 8.8 |
| Lyon High School Brighton | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Mason-Rice Newton Centre | 1.2 mi | 8.6 |
| BRIMMER & MAY SCHOOL Chestnut Hill | 1.3 mi | 7.6 |
| CLEARWAY SCHOOL Newton | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| DEARBORN ACADEMY Newton | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Lincoln-Eliot Newton | 1.5 mi | 8.8 |
| YESHIVA OHR YISRAEL HIGH SCHOOL FOR BOYS Chestnut Hill | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02459 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$214,941
Median Home Value
$1,336,200
Median Rent
$2,308/mo
Population
18,604
College Educated
84.3%
Homeownership
83.3%
Avg Commute
28.3 min
Poverty Rate
3.4%
Median Age
45.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Hunnewell Wellesley, MA | 9.0 |
| MEADOWBROOK SCHOOL OF WESTON Weston, MA | 9.0 |
| Williams Auburndale, MA | 9.0 |
| Bessie Buker Elementary Wenham, MA | 9.1 |
| Chatham Elementary School Chatham, MA | 8.9 |
| E Ethel Little School North Reading, MA | 9.1 |
Compare John Ward with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- 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
Resources & Links
District
Newton- District Enrollment
- 11,752
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,226
- District Rank
- #7 of 22
Other Schools in This District
Compare This School
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