Average
#1225 of 1,791 schools in MA
Prospect Hill Academy Charter School
School · Prospect Hill Academy Charter (District)
50 Essex Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
Enrollment
917
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
917
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cambridge
#18 of 20
public schools
Massachusetts schools
#55 of 98
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Prospect Hill Academy Charter School
Prospect Hill Academy Charter School serves 917 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This charter school maintains a notably small class environment with a 9.4:1 student-teacher ratio, supported by 98 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, the school ranks #1127 out of 1796 Massachusetts schools, placing it in the 37th percentile statewide with room for academic growth.
Current proficiency rates show 36% of students performing at or above grade level in English Language Arts and 22% in mathematics. The school continues to focus on student development across its comprehensive PK-12 program. The student body benefits from the school's personalized approach, made possible by the low student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention.
As a charter school, Prospect Hill Academy has flexibility in its educational approach while serving families throughout the Cambridge area. The school is situated in a well-educated Cambridge neighborhood where 76% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding community in ZIP code 02139 has a median household income of $117,124 and a median home value of $1,027,300, reflecting the area's strong economic foundation.
Prospect Hill Academy Charter School operates within this mid-size city setting, serving families in one of Massachusetts's most academically-oriented communities.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1, Prospect Hill Academy Charter School 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.
Prospect Hill Academy Charter School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
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Prospect Hill Academy Charter School — Students at Prospect Hill Academy Charter School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 124 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.4/10.
How Prospect Hill Academy Charter School Compares
See how Prospect Hill Academy Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 36% (2022).
Location
50 Essex Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Prospect Hill Academy Charter School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Martin Luther King Jr. (rated 9.9/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is John M Tobin (rated 9.2/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Morse (rated 9.2/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cambridge, see our Cambridge schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridgeport Cambridge | 0.2 mi | 9.1 |
| John M Tobin Cambridge | 0.3 mi | 9.2 |
| Fletcher/Maynard Academy Cambridge | 0.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Amigos School Cambridge | 0.5 mi | 9.0 |
| King Open Cambridge | 0.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Cambridge Street Upper School Cambridge | 0.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Albert F. Argenziano School at Lincoln Park Somerville | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Putnam Avenue Upper School Cambridge | 0.6 mi | 8.7 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Cambridge | 0.6 mi | 9.9 |
| Cambridge Rindge and Latin Cambridge | 0.7 mi | 9.0 |
| Kennedy-Longfellow Cambridge | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Vassal Lane Upper School Cambridge | 0.7 mi | 5.4 |
| SAINT PAUL'S CHOIR SCHOOL Cambridge | 0.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Community Charter School of Cambridge Cambridge | 0.8 mi | 7.8 |
| MALIK ACADEMY/ AL BUSTAN PRESCHOOL Cambridge | 0.9 mi | — |
| Morse Cambridge | 1.0 mi | 9.2 |
| BOSTON UNIVERSITY ACADEMY Boston | 1.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Somerville High Somerville | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Next Wave Junior High Somerville | 1.3 mi | — |
| Full Circle High School Somerville | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02139 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$124,648
Median Home Value
$1,066,200
Median Rent
$2,613/mo
Population
39,609
College Educated
77.6%
Homeownership
32%
Avg Commute
24.7 min
Poverty Rate
13.2%
Median Age
29.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Prospect Hill Academy Charter School has a median household income of $124,648. 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 $1,066,200, with a median rent of $2,613/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.2%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Neighborhood House Charter School Dorchester, MA | 5.1 |
| MATCH Charter Public School Boston, MA | 4.9 |
| WHITINSVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Whitinsville, MA | 4.9 |
| Pioneer Charter School of Science II (PCSS-II) Saugus, MA | 6.0 |
| South Shore Charter Public School Norwell, MA | 4.8 |
| Henderson K-12 Inclusion School Upper Dorchester, MA | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Prospect Hill Academy Charter School
What grades does Prospect Hill Academy Charter School serve?
Prospect Hill Academy Charter School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Prospect Hill Academy Charter School?
Prospect Hill Academy Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 917 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Prospect Hill Academy Charter School?
The student-teacher ratio at Prospect Hill Academy Charter School is 9.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Prospect Hill Academy Charter School rank in MA?
Prospect Hill Academy Charter School is ranked #1225 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Prospect Hill Academy Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?
Prospect Hill Academy Charter School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Prospect Hill Academy Charter School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Prospect Hill Academy Charter School has 24.8% math proficiency and 36.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Prospect Hill Academy Charter School a charter school?
Yes, Prospect Hill Academy Charter School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Prospect Hill Academy Charter School a Title I school?
No, Prospect Hill Academy Charter School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,093/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cambridge). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 917
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 98
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Middlesex County
- Phone
- (617) 284-7800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Prospect Hill Academy Charter (District)- District Enrollment
- 917
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,945
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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