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
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
Enrollment
171
Student-Teacher
1.4:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2021-22
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
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
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
BetaHow Perkins School for the Blind compares to 5 public schools serving similar grades in Watertown, MA
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (617) 924-3434
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.
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