Skip to main content

Excellent

#21 of 1,791 schools in MA

Top 1% in state

Newton South High

High School · Newton

140 Brandeis Road, Newton Centre, MA 02459

Enrollment

1,861

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

9.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Newton Centre

#1 of 7

public schools

Massachusetts high schools

#4 of 366

In district

#2 of 22

Newton

Equity

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Newton South High

Newton South High is a regular public high school in Newton Centre, Massachusetts, enrolling 1,861 students across grades 9 through 12. The school maintains a 12.4-to-1 student-teacher ratio — manageable for a school of this size — and earns a composite score of 9.3 out of 10, an Exceptional rating anchored by a 9.8 academic score and a 9.3 growth score. Statewide, Newton South ranks 4th among all 366 public high schools in Massachusetts.

Measured across all grade levels, it places 21st out of 1,791 public schools statewide, outperforming 99% of public schools in the state. That standing draws from both academic achievement and student growth — two categories that each contribute to the result, not one metric compensating for weakness in another. Within Newton Centre, Newton South holds the top spot among seven public options.

For families choosing a high school in this part of Massachusetts, every data point reinforces the same conclusion: a near-perfect academic score, strong growth, and a student-teacher ratio that keeps instruction accessible even as enrollment approaches 1,900.

What's said publicly about Newton South High

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.

Newton South High School is led by Principal Tamara Stras 1 . The school operates within the Newton Public Schools district, which utilizes a "Portrait of a Learner" framework emphasizing adaptability, communication, critical thinking, empathy, and a learner's mindset 1 . The district is governed by a nine-member School Committee, comprising one elected representative from each of Newton's eight wards and the Mayor as an ex-officio member 1 . Parent involvement is coordinated through the Newton Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Council, an umbrella group for all 22 PTOs in the city 1 . The Newton Schools Foundation supports the district by funding classroom innovations, teacher professional development, and equity programs 1 . Additionally, Newton Community Education offers self-sustaining learning and enrichment opportunities 1 . The district is currently engaged in facilities renovation and renewal, with four projects recently completed and four others in design or construction 1 . A Facilities and Enrollment Planning Study is also underway to guide future building projects 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. nshs.newton.k12.ma.us
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change+0.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.8Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency80%
Reading/ELA Proficiency79%
Math vs. State Avg+34.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+27 pts
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected+23.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
College Readiness9.1Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation29.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,734

Newton South High — Students at Newton South High score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 84.3%
School
State
52.0%
ELA Proficiency 82.2%
School
State
59.6%

Based on 22 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
85%
ELA
79%
2021*
Math
87%
ELA
88%
2022
Math
80%
ELA
79%
2023
Math
86%
ELA
83%
2024
Math
85%
ELA
86%
2025
Math
84%
ELA
79%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Newton South High Compares

See how Newton South High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.3/10
99th percentile in MA
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Location

140 Brandeis Road, Newton Centre, MA 02459

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Newton South High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BEAVER COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Chestnut Hill), a more accessible option. Another option is NEWTON COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Newton), a more accessible option. Additionally, MT ALVERNIA HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Newton), a more accessible option. For more schools in Newton Centre, see our Newton Centre schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Oak Hill Middle Newton Centre 0.4 mi 8.6
Charles E Brown Middle Newton Centre 0.4 mi 9.2
Bowen Newton Centre 0.5 mi 7.6
Memorial Spaulding Newton Centre 1.0 mi 9.0
Countryside Newton Highlands 0.8 mi 8.5
WELLAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Newton 1.1 mi 8.1
BEAVER COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Chestnut Hill 1.1 mi 7.9
Mason-Rice Newton Centre 1.4 mi 9.1
SOLOMON SCHECHTEE DAY SCHOOL Newton 1.6 mi 6.1
SOLOMON SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOL Newton 1.7 mi 7.1
THE CHESTNUT HILLSCHOOL Chestnut Hill 1.5 mi 8.4
B C CAMPUS SCHOOL Chestnut Hill 1.6 mi
John Ward Newton Centre 1.9 mi 8.9
BRIMMER & MAY SCHOOL Chestnut Hill 1.5 mi 7.6
MOUNT ALVERNIA ACADEMY Chestnut Hill 1.8 mi 5.8
MT ALVERNIA HIGH SCHOOL Newton 2.1 mi 7.1
FUSION ACADEMY NEWTON Newton 1.6 mi 5.3
Edith C Baker Chestnut Hill 1.6 mi 8.2
NEWTON COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Newton 2.2 mi 7.7
YESHIVA OHR YISRAEL HIGH SCHOOL FOR BOYS Chestnut Hill 1.9 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02459 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$214,941

Median Home Value

$1,336,200

Median Rent

$2,308/mo

Population

18,604

College Educated

84.3%

Homeownership

83.3%

Avg Commute

28.3 min

Poverty Rate

3.4%

Median Age

45.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Newton South High has a median household income of $214,941. 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 $1,336,200, with a median rent of $2,308/month. The local poverty rate of 3.4% 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
Brookline High Brookline, MA 9.1
Lexington High Lexington, MA 9.1
Cambridge Rindge and Latin Cambridge, MA 9.0
Needham High Needham, MA 9.0
Algonquin Regional High Northborough, MA 8.9
Concord Carlisle High Concord, MA 8.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Newton South High

What grades does Newton South High serve?

Newton South High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Newton South High?

Newton South High has an enrollment of approximately 1,861 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Newton South High?

The student-teacher ratio at Newton South High is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Newton South High rank in MA?

Newton South High is ranked #21 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is Newton South High's MySchoolScout rating?

Newton South High has a composite rating of 9.3 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 Newton South High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Newton South High has 84.3% math proficiency and 82.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Newton South High a charter school?

No, Newton South High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Newton South High a Title I school?

No, Newton South High is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
37 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
27 Some Transit
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,861
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
150
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Middlesex County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Newton
District Enrollment
11,752
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,226
District Rank
#2 of 22

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.