Excellent
#56 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 3% in state
Newman Elementary
Elementary School · Needham
1155 Central Avenue, Needham, MA 02492
Enrollment
698
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
698
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Needham
#1 of 8
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#36 of 1,022
In district
#1 of 8
Needham
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Newman Elementary
Newman Elementary serves 698 students in grades PK through 5 in Needham, Massachusetts. With a 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio, classes stay small enough that teachers can track individual progress rather than teach to the middle. The school earns a composite score of 9.0/10 — rated Exceptional — with an academic score of 8.3/10 and a near-perfect growth score of 9.9/10.
That growth figure is the standout. Growth measures how much students advance year over year, not where they happen to score on any single test. At 9.9/10, Newman's students are gaining ground faster than nearly every school in the state.
The school ranks #56 out of 1,791 public schools in Massachusetts, outperforming 97% of the state — and among elementary schools specifically, it places #36 out of 1,022. Within Needham, Newman sits at the top of all 8 public schools. For parents comparing elementary options in this district, Newman delivers on both the fundamentals and the trajectory.
Students arrive, perform well, and keep accelerating — that combination is harder to find than the raw scores alone suggest.
Score Breakdown
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Newman Elementary — Students at Newman Elementary score 64% 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 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 Newman Elementary Compares
See how Newman Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 55% (2019) to 63% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 65% (2019) to 65% (2022).
Location
1155 Central Avenue, Needham, MA 02492
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Newman Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. John Eliot (rated 8.7/10, 1.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Joseph E Fiske (rated 8.6/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Wellesley), with a comparable rating. Additionally, William Mitchell (rated 8.5/10, 1.8 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 |
|---|---|---|
| High Rock School Needham | 0.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Sunita L. Williams Elementary Needham | 1.3 mi | 7.0 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Needham | 1.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Needham High Needham | 1.3 mi | 9.0 |
| WALKER SCHOOL Needham | 1.7 mi | 8.5 |
| John Eliot Needham | 1.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Pollard Middle Needham | 1.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Wellesley Sr High Wellesley | 1.8 mi | 8.9 |
| TENACRE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Wellesley | 1.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Joseph E Fiske Wellesley | 2.2 mi | 8.6 |
| MONTESSORI DAY SCHOOL OF WELLESLEY HILLS Wellesley Hls | 2.1 mi | — |
| Preschool at Wellesley Schools Wellesley | 2.2 mi | 8.2 |
| William Mitchell Needham | 1.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Chickering Dover | 2.3 mi | 6.8 |
| DANA HALL SCHOOL Wellesley | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Hunnewell Wellesley | 2.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Schofield Wellesley | 2.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Wellesley Middle Wellesley | 2.3 mi | 9.3 |
| RIVERSIDE SCHOOL Needham | 2.3 mi | — |
| ST JOHN SCHOOL Wellesley | 3.0 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02492 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$222,063
Median Home Value
$1,177,300
Median Rent
$2,256/mo
Population
21,481
College Educated
84.1%
Homeownership
90.7%
Avg Commute
29.2 min
Poverty Rate
4.2%
Median Age
42.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Newman Elementary has a median household income of $222,063. It is a well-educated community where 84% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,177,300, with a median rent of $2,256/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| John F Kennedy Somerville, MA | 8.9 |
| Pierce Brookline, MA | 8.9 |
| Bancroft Elementary Andover, MA | 8.8 |
| Carlisle School Carlisle, MA | 8.8 |
| Center School Stow, MA | 8.8 |
| Florida Ruffin Ridley School Brookline, MA | 8.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Newman Elementary
What grades does Newman Elementary serve?
Newman Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Newman Elementary?
Newman Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 698 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Newman Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Newman Elementary is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Newman Elementary rank in MA?
Newman Elementary is ranked #56 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Newman Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Newman Elementary 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 Newman Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Newman Elementary has 60.7% math proficiency and 68.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Newman Elementary a charter school?
No, Newman Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Newman Elementary a Title I school?
No, Newman Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 25 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 14 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 28 Somewhat 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 698
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 56
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Norfolk County
- Phone
- (781) 455-0416
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Needham- District Enrollment
- 5,541
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $24,189
- District Rank
- #1 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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