Excellent
#57 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 3% in state
Needham High
High School · Needham
609 Webster Street, Needham, MA 02494
Enrollment
1,622
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
9.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,622
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
9.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Needham
#2 of 8
public schools
Massachusetts high schools
#13 of 366
In district
#2 of 8
Needham
Equity
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Needham High
Needham High School is a public high school serving 1,622 students in grades 9 through 12 in Needham, Massachusetts. It earns a composite score of 9.0 out of 10 — an Exceptional rating — built on a near-perfect academic score of 9.8 and a growth score of 8.8. Those two scores together tell the same story: this school performs at a high level and keeps improving.
The school ranks 13th among 366 public high schools in Massachusetts, placing it in the top 4% statewide. Across all public schools — including elementary and middle — it outperforms 97% of the 1,791 schools in the state. Landing at #57 overall while competing against every grade level is a meaningful benchmark.
At 12.6 students per teacher, class sizes stay tight for a school enrolling more than 1,600 students. Needham has eight public schools in total, and Needham High ranks second among them. For families weighing high school options in eastern Massachusetts, the data here is hard to argue with — high academic output, steady growth, and a top-tier statewide rank.
What's said publicly about Needham High
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Needham High — Students at Needham High score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 22 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: 8.8/10.
How Needham High Compares
See how Needham High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 89% (2019) to 83% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 85% (2019) to 84% (2022).
Location
609 Webster Street, Needham, MA 02494
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Needham High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. A E Angier (rated 9.5/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Waban), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Newman Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, John Eliot (rated 8.7/10, 1.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Needham, see our Needham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Needham | 0.3 mi | 4.7 |
| William Mitchell Needham | 0.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Pollard Middle Needham | 0.7 mi | 8.5 |
| High Rock School Needham | 1.1 mi | 8.6 |
| RIVERSIDE SCHOOL Needham | 1.3 mi | — |
| Sunita L. Williams Elementary Needham | 1.2 mi | 7.0 |
| John Eliot Needham | 1.4 mi | 8.7 |
| Broadmeadow Needham | 1.3 mi | 7.5 |
| HAPPY CHILD PRESCHOOL/DAY CARE CENTER Newton | 1.6 mi | — |
| Newman Elementary Needham | 1.3 mi | 9.0 |
| FUSION ACADEMY NEWTON Newton | 1.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Joseph E Fiske Wellesley | 2.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Preschool at Wellesley Schools Wellesley | 2.1 mi | 8.2 |
| SOLOMON SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOL Newton | 1.8 mi | 7.1 |
| THE RASHI SCHOOL Dedham | 2.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Countryside Newton Highlands | 2.3 mi | 8.5 |
| A E Angier Waban | 2.8 mi | 9.5 |
| Schofield Wellesley | 2.6 mi | 7.9 |
| SOLOMON SCHECHTEE DAY SCHOOL Newton | 2.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Zervas Waban | 3.0 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02494 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$173,750
Median Home Value
$1,052,400
Median Rent
$2,452/mo
Population
10,578
College Educated
74.6%
Homeownership
72.7%
Avg Commute
27.5 min
Poverty Rate
2.9%
Median Age
43.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Needham High has a median household income of $173,750. It is a well-educated community where 75% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,052,400, with a median rent of $2,452/month. The local poverty rate of 2.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Cambridge Rindge and Latin Cambridge, MA | 9.0 |
| Algonquin Regional High Northborough, MA | 8.9 |
| Brookline High Brookline, MA | 9.1 |
| Concord Carlisle High Concord, MA | 8.9 |
| Newton North High Newtonville, MA | 8.9 |
| Wellesley Sr High Wellesley, MA | 8.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Needham High
What grades does Needham High serve?
Needham High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Needham High?
Needham High has an enrollment of approximately 1,622 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Needham High?
The student-teacher ratio at Needham High is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Needham High rank in MA?
Needham High is ranked #57 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Needham High's MySchoolScout rating?
Needham High has a composite rating of 9.0 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 Needham High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Needham High has 86.6% math proficiency and 86.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Needham High a charter school?
No, Needham High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Needham High a Title I school?
No, Needham High is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 62 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 28 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 59 Bikeable
- City Safety
- Elevated (702/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Needham). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,622
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 129
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Norfolk County
- Phone
- (781) 455-0800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Needham- District Enrollment
- 5,541
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $24,189
- District Rank
- #2 of 8
Other Schools in This District
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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