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Excellent

#3 of 389 private schools in MA

Top 1% of private schools

Perkins School for the Blind

School

175 N BEACON ST, Watertown, MA 02472

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

171

Student-Teacher

1.4:1

Score

8.8

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Watertown

#1 of 4

public schools

Massachusetts schools

#1 of 80

About Perkins School for the Blind

Perkins School for the Blind is a unique educational institution located in Watertown, Massachusetts. Serving students from preschool through 12th grade, Perkins offers an exceptional learning environment with its low student-to-teacher ratio of 1.4:1. With 171 students and 122 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention to each student's needs.

While academic performance data is not available, Perkins focuses on nurturing individual development and ensuring that every child receives the support they need. The school is set in a large suburban area, offering a safe and supportive community for its students. Perkins School for the Blind is situated in a vibrant suburb where families can find numerous resources to complement their children's educational journey.

What's said publicly about Perkins School for the Blind

Sources: Wikipedia

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.

Perkins School for the Blind, also known simply as Perkins, is located in Watertown, Massachusetts. Established in 1829, it is recognized as the oldest school for the blind in the United States. The institution was historically referred to as the Perkins Institution for the Blind.
Sources (1)
  1. en.wikipedia.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 171 students, Perkins School for the Blind is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 1.4:1, Perkins School for the Blind offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Perkins School for the Blind operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$578,622
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$516,716
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.89x — At Risk
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
54%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$417.5M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 171 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Perkins School for the Blind compares to 5 public schools serving similar grades in Watertown, MA

Student-Teacher Ratio
1.4:1
This School
vs
10.1:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
171
This School
vs
543
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.8
This School
vs
8.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 63.7% vs 0%
Hispanic 17.5% vs 0%
Asian 9.4% vs 0%
Black 5.3% vs 0%
Perkins School for the Blind Watertown Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Perkins School for the Blind (this school) 8.8
Hosmer 8.3
Watertown High 7.2
Watertown Middle 8.4
James Russell Lowell 8.7
Cunniff 8.4

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 9.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 1.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,599
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 7.9 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 55%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.0 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 171
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in MA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 63.7%
Hispanic 17.5%
Asian 9.4%
Black 5.3%
Two or More 3.5%
Native American 0.6%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

175 N BEACON ST, Watertown, MA 02472

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Perkins School for the Blind may also want to explore other schools in the area. John Ward (rated 8.9/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Newton Centre), with a very similar rating. Another option is Bigelow Middle (rated 8.8/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Newton), with a very similar rating. Additionally, James Russell Lowell (rated 8.7/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Watertown, see our Watertown schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Bigelow Middle Newton 0.6 mi 8.8
Hosmer Watertown 0.6 mi 8.3
Underwood Newton Corner 0.6 mi 8.4
James Russell Lowell Watertown 1.1 mi 8.7
Lyon High School Brighton 1.0 mi 7.6
Lyon K-8 School Brighton 1.0 mi 5.2
ST STEPHEN'S ARMENIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Watertown 1.0 mi 5.3
Lincoln-Eliot Newton 1.0 mi 8.4
Watertown Middle Watertown 1.1 mi 8.4
Watertown High Watertown 1.1 mi 7.2
John Ward Newton Centre 1.5 mi 8.9
MT ALVERNIA HIGH SCHOOL Newton 1.4 mi 7.1
CLEARWAY SCHOOL Newton 1.2 mi 5.8
Edison K-8 School Brighton 1.4 mi 7.4
NEWTON COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Newton 1.4 mi 7.7
DEARBORN ACADEMY Newton 1.2 mi 6.6
MOUNT ALVERNIA ACADEMY Chestnut Hill 1.6 mi 5.8
ATRIUM SCHOOL Watertown 1.3 mi 6.7
Winthrop L Chenery Middle Belmont 1.7 mi 6.6
WALDORF HIGH SCHOOL OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY Belmont 1.6 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02472 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$123,383

Median Home Value

$737,600

Median Rent

$2,356/mo

Population

35,317

College Educated

67.1%

Homeownership

48.8%

Avg Commute

26.2 min

Poverty Rate

6.1%

Median Age

38.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Perkins School for the Blind has a median household income of $123,383. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $737,600, with a median rent of $2,356/month. The local poverty rate of 6.1% 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
THE LEARNING CENTER FOR THE DEAF Framingham, MA 8.8
Martha's Vineyard Charter Public School West Tisbury, MA 8.7
HOPEFUL JOURNEYS EDUCATIONAL CENTER Beverly, MA 8.2
THE BEMENT SCHOOL Deerfield, MA 8.2
DOCTOR FRANKLIN PERKINS SCHOOL Lancaster, MA 8.1
HILLSIDE SCHOOL Marlborough, MA 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Perkins School for the Blind

What grades does Perkins School for the Blind serve?

Perkins School for the Blind serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Perkins School for the Blind?

Perkins School for the Blind has an enrollment of approximately 171 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Perkins School for the Blind?

The student-teacher ratio at Perkins School for the Blind is 1.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Perkins School for the Blind rank in MA?

Perkins School for the Blind is ranked #3 out of 389 private schools in MA.

What is Perkins School for the Blind's MySchoolScout rating?

Perkins School for the Blind 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.

Is Perkins School for the Blind a private school?

Yes, Perkins School for the Blind is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Perkins School for the Blind a religious school?

No, Perkins School for the Blind is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
79 Very Walkable
Transit Score
52 Good Transit
Bike Score
71 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,018/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
171
Gender Split
60% M / 40% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
1.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
122
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7.8 hours
Days Per Year
205 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
MIDDLESEX
Data Year
2022–2023

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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