Excellent
#2 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 1% in state
Martin Luther King Jr.
Elementary School · Cambridge
102 Putnam Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139
Enrollment
328
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
9.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
328
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
9.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cambridge
#2 of 20
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#2 of 1,022
In district
#2 of 17
Cambridge
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School is a public school in Cambridge, Massachusetts serving students in prekindergarten through fifth grade. With 328 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.9:1, the school keeps class sizes small and maintains close contact between teachers and students.
The school earns a composite score of 9.9 out of 10, rated Exceptional across both academic achievement and student growth. It ranks second out of 1,022 elementary schools in Massachusetts and second out of 1,791 public schools statewide — meaning it outperforms 100 percent of Massachusetts schools on combined measures. Those numbers place it among the strongest elementary programs anywhere in the state.
Within Cambridge, MLK Jr. Elementary holds the second spot out of 20 schools. Parents comparing options in the district will find consistent, top-tier performance here across both proficiency and growth metrics.
The 9.9 growth score is especially notable — it signals that students are making exceptional academic progress year over year, not just arriving with advantages. For families prioritizing measurable outcomes at the elementary level, this school delivers some of the strongest evidence available in Massachusetts.
What's said publicly about Martin Luther King Jr.
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.
Sources (1)
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Martin Luther King Jr. — Students at Martin Luther King Jr. score 77% 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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.9/10.
How Martin Luther King Jr. Compares
See how Martin Luther King Jr. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 77% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 77% (2019) to 77% (2022).
Location
102 Putnam Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Martin Luther King Jr. may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Maria L. Baldwin (rated 9.9/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Graham and Parks (rated 9.4/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, John M Tobin (rated 9.2/10, 0.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Cambridge, see our Cambridge schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Putnam Avenue Upper School Cambridge | 0.0 mi | 8.7 |
| SAINT PAUL'S CHOIR SCHOOL Cambridge | 0.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Amigos School Cambridge | 0.3 mi | 9.0 |
| MALIK ACADEMY/ AL BUSTAN PRESCHOOL Cambridge | 0.4 mi | — |
| Cambridge Rindge and Latin Cambridge | 0.5 mi | 9.0 |
| John M Tobin Cambridge | 0.6 mi | 9.2 |
| Morse Cambridge | 0.7 mi | 9.2 |
| Prospect Hill Academy Charter School Cambridge | 0.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Cambridgeport Cambridge | 0.8 mi | 9.1 |
| BOSTON UNIVERSITY ACADEMY Boston | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Maria L. Baldwin Cambridge | 1.1 mi | 9.9 |
| MATCH Charter Public School Boston | 1.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Fletcher/Maynard Academy Cambridge | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| NEW ENGLAND HEBREW ACADEMY Brookline | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Albert F. Argenziano School at Lincoln Park Somerville | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| IVY STREET SCHOOL Brookline | 1.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Graham and Parks Cambridge | 1.3 mi | 9.4 |
| ST THERESA SCHOOL Somerville | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| BAY COVE ACADEMY Brookline | 1.4 mi | — |
| King Open Cambridge | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
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 Martin Luther King Jr. 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 |
|---|---|
| Maria L. Baldwin Cambridge, MA | 9.9 |
| Country Weston, MA | 9.6 |
| A E Angier Waban, MA | 9.5 |
| John D Hardy Wellesley, MA | 9.5 |
| Graham and Parks Cambridge, MA | 9.4 |
| Bowman Lexington, MA | 9.3 |
Compare Martin Luther King Jr. with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
- CompareMartin Luther King Jr. vs MorseCambridge, MA Peer score 9.2/10 -0.7 vs Martin Luther King Jr.
- CompareMartin Luther King Jr. vs Amigos SchoolCambridge, MA Peer score 9.0/10 -0.9 vs Martin Luther King Jr.
- CompareMartin Luther King Jr. vs Maria L. BaldwinCambridge, MA Peer score 9.9/10 About even with Martin Luther King Jr.
- CompareMartin Luther King Jr. vs Graham and ParksCambridge, MA Peer score 9.4/10 -0.5 vs Martin Luther King Jr.
- CompareMartin Luther King Jr. vs HaggertyCambridge, MA Peer score 9.3/10 -0.6 vs Martin Luther King Jr.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Martin Luther King Jr.
What grades does Martin Luther King Jr. serve?
Martin Luther King Jr. serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Martin Luther King Jr.?
Martin Luther King Jr. has an enrollment of approximately 328 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Martin Luther King Jr.?
The student-teacher ratio at Martin Luther King Jr. is 10.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Martin Luther King Jr. rank in MA?
Martin Luther King Jr. is ranked #2 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Martin Luther King Jr.'s MySchoolScout rating?
Martin Luther King Jr. has a composite rating of 9.9 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 Martin Luther King Jr.?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Martin Luther King Jr. has 72.6% math proficiency and 78.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Martin Luther King Jr. a charter school?
No, Martin Luther King Jr. is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Martin Luther King Jr. a Title I school?
No, Martin Luther King Jr. is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 93 Walker's Paradise
- Transit Score
- 76 Excellent Transit
- Bike Score
- 99 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
- 328
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Middlesex County
- Phone
- (617) 349-6562
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cambridge- District Enrollment
- 6,915
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $40,666
- District Rank
- #2 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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