Excellent
#141 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 8% in state
Peirce
Elementary School · Newton
170 Temple Street, West Newton, MA 02465
Enrollment
236
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
236
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In West Newton
#1 of 2
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#89 of 1,022
In district
#12 of 22
Newton
Equity
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Peirce
Peirce is a public elementary school in West Newton, MA, part of the Newton. The school serves approximately 236 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 10.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5/10, placing it in the 92.2th percentile among MA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 73% proficiency in math, 30 points above the state average and 74% in reading/language arts, 28 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.2/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $174,518, where 78% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a small city 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 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.5/10.
How Peirce Compares
See how Peirce performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 77% (2019) to 77% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 77% (2019) to 77% (2022).
Location
170 Temple Street, West Newton, MA 02465
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Peirce may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. A E Angier (rated 9.5/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Waban), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Mason-Rice (rated 9.1/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Newton Centre), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Joseph E Fiske (rated 8.6/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Wellesley), with a very similar rating. For more schools in West Newton, see our West Newton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LEARNING PREP SCHOOL West Newton | 0.3 mi | 7.3 |
| C C Burr Auburndale | 0.9 mi | 8.4 |
| A E Angier Waban | 1.1 mi | 9.5 |
| Franklin West Newton | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Williams Auburndale | 0.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Zervas Waban | 1.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Newton Early Childhood Program Newton | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Henry Whittemore Elementary School Waltham | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Newton North High Newtonville | 1.2 mi | 8.9 |
| F A Day Middle Newtonville | 1.5 mi | 8.9 |
| Waltham Public Schools Dual Language Program Waltham | 1.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Horace Mann Newtonville | 1.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Schofield Wellesley | 1.9 mi | 7.9 |
| William F. Stanley Elementary School Waltham | 2.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Preschool at Wellesley Schools Wellesley | 2.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Mason-Rice Newton Centre | 1.8 mi | 9.1 |
| Joseph E Fiske Wellesley | 2.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Cabot Newtonville | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| HAPPY CHILD PRESCHOOL/DAY CARE CENTER Newton | 2.3 mi | — |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL, INC DBA JCDS BOSTONS Watertown | 2.2 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02465 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$174,518
Median Home Value
$1,098,600
Median Rent
$2,251/mo
Population
11,297
College Educated
78.2%
Homeownership
68.5%
Avg Commute
25.8 min
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Median Age
43.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Peirce has a median household income of $174,518. It is a well-educated community where 78% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,098,600, with a median rent of $2,251/month. The local poverty rate of 4.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Annie E Fales Westborough, MA | 8.5 |
| Bessie Buker Elementary Wenham, MA | 8.5 |
| Frank H Freedman Springfield, MA | 8.5 |
| KINGSLEY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Boston, MA | 8.5 |
| Undermountain Sheffield, MA | 8.5 |
| Anna Ware Jackson Plainville, MA | 8.6 |
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 236 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Peirce?
The student-teacher ratio at Peirce is 10.3:1. 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 #141 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Peirce's MySchoolScout rating?
Peirce has a composite rating of 8.5 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 72.5% math proficiency and 73.5% 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 236
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Middlesex County
- Phone
- (617) 559-9630
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Newton- District Enrollment
- 11,752
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,226
- District Rank
- #12 of 22
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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