Excellent
#138 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 8% in state
Pollard Middle
Middle School · Needham
200 Harris Avenue, Needham, MA 02492
Enrollment
880
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
8.5
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
880
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
8.5
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Needham
#5 of 8
public schools
Massachusetts middle schools
#23 of 305
In district
#5 of 8
Needham
Equity
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Pollard Middle
Pollard Middle is a public middle school in Needham, MA, part of the Needham. The school serves approximately 880 students in grades 7th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 11:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5/10, placing it in the 92.4th percentile among MA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 78% proficiency in math, 36 points above the state average and 76% in reading/language arts, 30 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (8.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $222,063, where 84% 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
View breakdown
View breakdown
Pollard Middle — Students at Pollard Middle score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
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: 7.6/10.
How Pollard Middle Compares
See how Pollard Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 85% (2019) to 76% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 74% (2022).
Location
200 Harris Avenue, Needham, MA 02492
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pollard Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Needham High (rated 9.0/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Newman Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, John Eliot (rated 8.7/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Needham, see our Needham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Needham | 0.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Needham High Needham | 0.7 mi | 9.0 |
| William Mitchell Needham | 0.9 mi | 8.5 |
| High Rock School Needham | 0.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Broadmeadow Needham | 0.9 mi | 7.5 |
| RIVERSIDE SCHOOL Needham | 1.9 mi | — |
| Newman Elementary Needham | 1.5 mi | 9.0 |
| THE RASHI SCHOOL Dedham | 1.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Sunita L. Williams Elementary Needham | 1.9 mi | 7.0 |
| FUSION ACADEMY NEWTON Newton | 2.2 mi | 5.3 |
| John Eliot Needham | 2.1 mi | 8.7 |
| HAPPY CHILD PRESCHOOL/DAY CARE CENTER Newton | 2.2 mi | — |
| SOLOMON SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOL Newton | 1.9 mi | 7.1 |
| SOLOMON SCHECHTEE DAY SCHOOL Newton | 2.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Joseph E Fiske Wellesley | 2.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Preschool at Wellesley Schools Wellesley | 2.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Countryside Newton Highlands | 2.8 mi | 8.5 |
| NOBLE AND GREENOUGH SCHOOL Dedham | 2.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Early Childhood Center Dedham | 2.7 mi | 7.0 |
| WALKER SCHOOL Needham | 2.5 mi | 8.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02492 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$222,063
Median Home Value
$1,177,300
Median Rent
$2,256/mo
Population
21,481
College Educated
84.1%
Homeownership
90.7%
Avg Commute
29.2 min
Poverty Rate
4.2%
Median Age
42.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pollard Middle has a median household income of $222,063. It is a well-educated community where 84% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,177,300, with a median rent of $2,256/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| North Reading Middle North Reading, MA | 8.5 |
| Wm Diamond Middle Lexington, MA | 8.5 |
| Blanchard Middle Westford, MA | 8.6 |
| John F Kennedy Middle Waltham, MA | 8.6 |
| Marshall Simonds Middle Burlington, MA | 8.4 |
| Oak Hill Middle Newton Centre, MA | 8.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pollard Middle
What grades does Pollard Middle serve?
Pollard Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Pollard Middle?
Pollard Middle has an enrollment of approximately 880 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pollard Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Pollard Middle is 11:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pollard Middle rank in MA?
Pollard Middle is ranked #138 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Pollard Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Pollard Middle 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 Pollard Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pollard Middle has 78.1% math proficiency and 75.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pollard Middle a charter school?
No, Pollard Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pollard Middle a Title I school?
No, Pollard Middle is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 32 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 26 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 26 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- Elevated (702/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Needham). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 880
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 80
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Norfolk County
- Phone
- (781) 455-0480
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Needham- District Enrollment
- 5,541
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $24,189
- District Rank
- #5 of 8
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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