Very Good
#429 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 24% in state
Murphy K-8 School
Elementary School · Boston
1 Worrell Street, Dorchester, MA 02122
Enrollment
839
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
839
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dorchester
#6 of 29
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#269 of 1,022
In district
#42 of 109
Boston
School environment
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Murphy K-8 School
Murphy K-8 School serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Dorchester, Massachusetts, with an enrollment of 839 students. As a public school located in the heart of a large city, it provides a neighborhood option for families seeking a comprehensive K-8 educational experience. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1, with 69 full-time equivalent teachers on staff.
This ratio allows for meaningful classroom interaction and individualized attention. Academically, Murphy K-8 ranks in the 66th percentile among Massachusetts schools (#605 out of 1,796 statewide), earning a MySchoolScout Rating of 6.4/10. Current academic performance data shows areas with room for growth: 44% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 39% in Math, and 29% in Science across grade levels.
The school has an Academic Score of 5.4/10, reflecting ongoing work in core subject areas. For families in Dorchester considering their educational options, Murphy K-8 offers the convenience of a continuous pre-K through eighth-grade program within their community. The school's focus remains on serving its urban student population with dedicated teaching staff and a commitment to student development.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Murphy K-8 School — Students at Murphy K-8 School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 108 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.4/10.
How Murphy K-8 School Compares
See how Murphy K-8 School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 41% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
1 Worrell Street, Dorchester, MA 02122
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Murphy K-8 School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. EPIPHANY SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Dorchester Center), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Lee Academy (rated 7.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Mather Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Dorchester, see our Dorchester schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02122 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$82,945
Median Home Value
$656,400
Median Rent
$2,052/mo
Population
23,471
College Educated
37.5%
Homeownership
43.7%
Avg Commute
33.2 min
Poverty Rate
14.7%
Median Age
36.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Murphy K-8 School has a median household income of $82,945. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $656,400, with a median rent of $2,052/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Center Elementary Hanover, MA | 7.4 |
| Edison K-8 School Brighton, MA | 7.4 |
| Heights Elementary Sharon, MA | 7.4 |
| Taft Early Learning Center Uxbridge, MA | 7.4 |
| Broadmeadow Needham, MA | 7.5 |
| Forestdale School Sandwich, MA | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Murphy K-8 School
What grades does Murphy K-8 School serve?
Murphy K-8 School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Murphy K-8 School?
Murphy K-8 School has an enrollment of approximately 839 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Murphy K-8 School?
The student-teacher ratio at Murphy K-8 School is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Murphy K-8 School rank in MA?
Murphy K-8 School is ranked #429 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Murphy K-8 School's MySchoolScout rating?
Murphy K-8 School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Murphy K-8 School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Murphy K-8 School has 39.8% math proficiency and 43.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Murphy K-8 School a charter school?
No, Murphy K-8 School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Murphy K-8 School a Title I school?
No, Murphy K-8 School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 839
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 69
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Suffolk County
- Phone
- (617) 635-8781
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Boston- District Enrollment
- 45,742
- Schools in District
- 109
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $37,200
- District Rank
- #42 of 109
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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