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Excellent

#78 of 1,791 schools in MA

Top 4% in state

Ottoson Middle

Middle School · Arlington

63 Acton Street, Arlington, MA 02476

Enrollment

941

Student-Teacher

11.1:1

Score

8.8

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Arlington

#2 of 11

public schools

Massachusetts middle schools

#14 of 305

In district

#2 of 11

Arlington

Equity

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Ottoson Middle

Ottoson Middle is a public middle school in Arlington, MA, part of the Arlington. The school serves approximately 941 students in grades 7th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8/10, placing it in the 95.7th percentile among MA schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 73% proficiency in math, 31 points above the state average and 74% in reading/language arts, 28 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $145,150, where 76% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a large suburban setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.4Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change+0.35 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.5Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency73%
Reading/ELA Proficiency75%
Math vs. State Avg+33.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+32.5 pts
Overall Proficiency74%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected+16.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile92th
Resources & Environment6.9Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,341

Ottoson Middle — Students at Ottoson Middle score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

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 72.8%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 74.0%
School
State
45.6%

Based on 62 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2018
Math
72.8%
ELA
73%
2019
Math
75.8%
ELA
75.5%
2021*
Math
64.8%
ELA
69.3%
2022
Math
73%
ELA
75%
2023
Math
74.3%
ELA
74%
2024
Math
74.3%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
76%
ELA
80%

* 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: 9.4/10.

How Ottoson Middle Compares

See how Ottoson Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.8/10
96th percentile in MA
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Location

63 Acton Street, Arlington, MA 02476

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ottoson Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. John A Bishop (rated 8.9/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is M Norcross Stratton (rated 8.5/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Arlington High (rated 8.5/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Arlington, see our Arlington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Peirce Arlington 0.5 mi 8.4
NEW COVENANT SCHOOL Arlington 0.5 mi 6.5
Brackett Arlington 0.6 mi 7.4
CNS/PATHWAYS ACADEMY Arlington 0.5 mi 7.4
M Norcross Stratton Arlington 0.7 mi 8.5
Cyrus E Dallin Arlington 0.7 mi 8.2
Arlington High Arlington 0.7 mi 8.5
BELMONT HILL SCHOOL Belmont 1.0 mi 7.2
Menotomy Preschool Arlington 1.0 mi 7.4
John A Bishop Arlington 1.1 mi 8.9
LEXINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lexington 1.4 mi 6.9
Winn Brook Belmont 1.6 mi 7.6
ARLINGTON CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Arlington 1.3 mi 5.3
ST AGNES SCHOOL Arlington 1.4 mi 5.1
BELMONT DAY SCHOOL Belmont 1.8 mi 7.5
Belmont High Belmont 1.9 mi 7.7
Vinson-Owen Elementary Winchester 2.0 mi 5.8
Roger E Wellington Belmont 2.0 mi 5.2
ARLINGTON SCHOOL Belmont 2.0 mi 5.7
Ambrose Elementary Winchester 1.9 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02476 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$145,150

Median Home Value

$882,100

Median Rent

$1,823/mo

Population

17,732

College Educated

75.5%

Homeownership

64%

Avg Commute

32.3 min

Poverty Rate

6.6%

Median Age

45.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ottoson Middle has a median household income of $145,150. It is a well-educated community where 76% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $882,100, with a median rent of $1,823/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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
Concord Middle Concord, MA 8.8
Ephraim Curtis Middle Sudbury, MA 8.9
F A Day Middle Newtonville, MA 8.9
John Glenn Middle Bedford, MA 8.9
E W Thurston Middle Westwood, MA 9.0
Jonas Clarke Middle Lexington, MA 9.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ottoson Middle

What grades does Ottoson Middle serve?

Ottoson Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Ottoson Middle?

Ottoson Middle has an enrollment of approximately 941 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ottoson Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Ottoson Middle is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ottoson Middle rank in MA?

Ottoson Middle is ranked #78 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is Ottoson Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Ottoson Middle has a composite rating of 8.8 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 Ottoson Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ottoson Middle has 72.8% math proficiency and 74.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ottoson Middle a charter school?

No, Ottoson Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ottoson Middle a Title I school?

No, Ottoson Middle is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
83 Very Walkable
Transit Score
43 Some Transit
Bike Score
54 Bikeable
City Safety
Average (490/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Arlington). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
941
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
85
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Middlesex County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Arlington
District Enrollment
5,997
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,961
District Rank
#2 of 11

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

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