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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change+1.75 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Math vs. State Avg+9.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.4 pts
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected-3.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.2Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,341

Peirce — Students at Peirce score 54% proficient, which is below 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 61.2%
School
State
43.0%
ELA Proficiency 67.0%
School
State
45.6%

Based on 60 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2018
Math
55.7%
ELA
66.7%
2019
Math
56.5%
ELA
63%
2021*
Math
57.5%
ELA
76.5%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
57.8%
2023
Math
64.7%
ELA
65%
2024
Math
73.3%
ELA
66%
2025
Math
74.3%
ELA
75.7%

* 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.

Overall Score
8.4/10
92th percentile in MA
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
6.2/10
Above average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
78 Very Walkable
Transit Score
41 Some Transit
Bike Score
67 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
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
335
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
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
#6 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

Related reading

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