Excellent
#153 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 9% in state
Peirce
Elementary School · Arlington
85 Park Avenue Ext, Arlington, MA 02474
Enrollment
335
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
335
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Arlington
#6 of 11
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#95 of 1,022
In district
#6 of 11
Arlington
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Peirce
Peirce is a public elementary school in Arlington, MA, part of the Arlington. The school serves approximately 335 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 91.5th percentile among MA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 61% proficiency in math, 18 points above the state average and 67% in reading/language arts, 21 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $139,199, where 74% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Peirce — Students at Peirce score 54% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
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 Peirce Compares
See how Peirce performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 57% (2022).
Location
85 Park Avenue Ext, Arlington, MA 02474
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Peirce may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. John A Bishop (rated 8.9/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is M Norcross Stratton (rated 8.5/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Harrington (rated 8.5/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Lexington), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Arlington, see our Arlington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| NEW COVENANT SCHOOL Arlington | 0.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Ottoson Middle Arlington | 0.5 mi | 8.8 |
| CNS/PATHWAYS ACADEMY Arlington | 0.5 mi | 7.4 |
| M Norcross Stratton Arlington | 0.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Cyrus E Dallin Arlington | 0.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Brackett Arlington | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| LEXINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lexington | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Arlington High Arlington | 1.1 mi | 8.5 |
| Vinson-Owen Elementary Winchester | 1.5 mi | 5.8 |
| BELMONT HILL SCHOOL Belmont | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| John A Bishop Arlington | 1.2 mi | 8.9 |
| Menotomy Preschool Arlington | 1.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Harrington Lexington | 1.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Ambrose Elementary Winchester | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
| ARLINGTON CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Arlington | 1.7 mi | 5.3 |
| ST AGNES SCHOOL Arlington | 1.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Winn Brook Belmont | 2.1 mi | 7.6 |
| BELMONT DAY SCHOOL Belmont | 2.3 mi | 7.5 |
| ARLINGTON SCHOOL Belmont | 2.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Belmont High Belmont | 2.4 mi | 7.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02474 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$139,199
Median Home Value
$887,000
Median Rent
$2,157/mo
Population
28,283
College Educated
73.8%
Homeownership
58.4%
Avg Commute
32.1 min
Poverty Rate
4.7%
Median Age
38.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Peirce has a median household income of $139,199. It is a well-educated community where 74% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $887,000, with a median rent of $2,157/month. The local poverty rate of 4.7% 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 |
|---|---|
| C C Burr Auburndale, MA | 8.4 |
| Cold Spring Plymouth, MA | 8.4 |
| Cunniff Watertown, MA | 8.4 |
| Glover Marblehead, MA | 8.4 |
| Lincoln-Eliot Newton, MA | 8.4 |
| Station Avenue Elementary South Yarmouth, MA | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Peirce
What grades does Peirce serve?
Peirce serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Peirce?
Peirce has an enrollment of approximately 335 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Peirce?
The student-teacher ratio at Peirce 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 Peirce rank in MA?
Peirce is ranked #153 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Peirce's MySchoolScout rating?
Peirce has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Peirce?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Peirce has 61.2% math proficiency and 67.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Peirce a charter school?
No, Peirce is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Peirce a Title I school?
No, Peirce is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 335
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Middlesex County
- Phone
- (781) 316-3736
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Arlington- District Enrollment
- 5,997
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,961
- District Rank
- #6 of 11
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
- Best Public Schools in Virginia 2026: Top Districts in NOVA, Richmond & Beyondbest schools
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in Massachusetts 2026: Top Districts Statewidebest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Student-Teacher Ratio by State: Complete 2026 Rankingsdata insights
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