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Average

#792 of 1,791 schools in MA

Top 44% in state

Joseph A. Browne School

Middle School · Chelsea

180 Walnut Street, Chelsea, MA 02150

Enrollment

485

Student-Teacher

10.1:1

Score

6.5

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chelsea

#4 of 12

public schools

Massachusetts middle schools

#120 of 305

In district

#3 of 11

Chelsea

Academic growth

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Joseph A. Browne School

Joseph A. Browne School is a middle school located in Chelsea, Massachusetts, serving students from fifth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 485 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.1:1, the school provides personalized attention to support its diverse student body.

Joseph A. Browne has 48 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education. The academic performance at Joseph A.

Browne is currently ranked in the lower tier among Massachusetts schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and an Academic Score of 2.0 out of 10. The proficiency rates for ELA/Reading are 18%, Math is 11%, and Science stands at 15%. While these scores indicate areas needing improvement, the school continues to focus on student development and academic growth.

Joseph A. Browne School is situated in a large suburban area of Chelsea, surrounded by a supportive community that values education and strives for continuous improvement.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change-0.9 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.1Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13%
Reading/ELA Proficiency23%
Math vs. State Avg-28 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.3 pts
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)14%
vs. Expected+4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
Resources & Environment6.5Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,814

Joseph A. Browne School — Students at Joseph A. Browne School score 18% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 10.6%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 18.3%
School
State
45.5%

Based on 94 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2018
Math
12.2%
ELA
20.2%
2019
Math
12.3%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
8.7%
ELA
17.7%
2022
Math
12.2%
ELA
22.5%
2023
Math
9%
ELA
16.8%
2024
Math
7.6%
ELA
9%
2025
Math
11.6%
ELA
15.4%

* 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: 7.8/10.

How Joseph A. Browne School Compares

See how Joseph A. Browne School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
56th percentile in MA
Academic
5.1/10
5.1/10
Growth
7.8/10
Above average
Environment
6.5/10
Above average

Location

180 Walnut Street, Chelsea, MA 02150

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Joseph A. Browne School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Eugene Wright Science and Technology Academy (rated 6.7/10), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Clark Avenue School (rated 4.2/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Chelsea, see our Chelsea schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Eugene Wright Science and Technology Academy Chelsea 0.0 mi 6.7
Phoenix Academy Charter Public High School Chelsea Chelsea 0.2 mi 9.5
Shurtleff Early Childhood Chelsea 0.3 mi 5.0
Clark Avenue School Chelsea 0.3 mi 4.2
Chelsea High Chelsea 0.5 mi 5.5
Chelsea Opportunity Academy Chelsea 0.5 mi 5.3
East Boston High School East Boston 0.9 mi 5.0
SEAPORT ACADEMY Chelsea 0.7 mi
Chelsea Virtual Learning Academy Chelsea 0.8 mi 4.1
O'Donnell Elementary School East Boston 1.1 mi 7.0
Mario Umana Academy East Boston 1.1 mi 5.8
Kennedy Patrick J Elementary School East Boston 1.1 mi 7.7
George Keverian School Everett 1.1 mi 3.6
William A Berkowitz Elementary Chelsea 1.0 mi 8.1
Edgar A Hooks Elementary Chelsea 1.0 mi 3.9
George F. Kelly Elementary Chelsea 1.0 mi 3.3
Frank M Sokolowski Elementary Chelsea 1.0 mi 5.2
Webster School Everett 1.3 mi 4.6
Otis Elementary School East Boston 1.3 mi 8.5
Pioneer Charter School of Science Everett 1.2 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02150 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,122

Median Home Value

$476,500

Median Rent

$1,861/mo

Population

39,444

College Educated

22%

Homeownership

29.2%

Avg Commute

33.5 min

Poverty Rate

20.6%

Median Age

34.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Joseph A. Browne School has a median household income of $72,122. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $476,500, with a median rent of $1,861/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 34 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
Annie Sullivan Middle School Franklin, MA 6.5
Chestnut Hill Community School Belchertown, MA 6.5
Joseph Case Jr High Swansea, MA 6.5
Kathryn P. Stoklosa Middle School Lowell, MA 6.5
Medway Middle Medway, MA 6.5
Whitin Intermediate Uxbridge, MA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Joseph A. Browne School

What grades does Joseph A. Browne School serve?

Joseph A. Browne School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Joseph A. Browne School?

Joseph A. Browne School has an enrollment of approximately 485 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Joseph A. Browne School?

The student-teacher ratio at Joseph A. Browne School 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 Joseph A. Browne School rank in MA?

Joseph A. Browne School is ranked #792 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is Joseph A. Browne School's MySchoolScout rating?

Joseph A. Browne School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Joseph A. Browne School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Joseph A. Browne School has 10.6% math proficiency and 18.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Joseph A. Browne School a charter school?

No, Joseph A. Browne School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Joseph A. Browne School a Title I school?

No, Joseph A. Browne School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,423/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chelsea). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
485
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
48
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Suffolk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Chelsea
District Enrollment
6,148
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,435
District Rank
#3 of 11

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 methodology

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