Excellent
#65 of 1,793 schools in MA
Top 4% in state
Putnam Avenue Upper School
Middle School · Cambridge
100 Putnam Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139
Enrollment
270
Student-Teacher
7.7:1
Score
9.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
270
Student-Teacher
7.7:1
Score
9.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Massachusetts schools
#65 of 1,793
In Cambridge
#9 of 20
public schools
In district
#9 of 17
Cambridge
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Putnam Avenue Upper School?
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Putnam Avenue Upper School
Middle School in Cambridge · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Martin Luther King Jr.
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Saint Paul's Choir School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Putnam Avenue Upper School
Putnam Avenue Upper School is a public middle school in Cambridge, MA, part of Cambridge. Putnam Avenue Upper School serves approximately 270 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 7.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Putnam Avenue Upper School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 out of 10 and ranks #65 of 1,793 schools in MA.
Structured state assessment records for Putnam Avenue Upper School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025).
What's said publicly about Putnam Avenue Upper School
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.
Sources (1)
- This school 9.2 · Excellent
- District avg 8.3
- MA avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 7.7:1 students to teachers, Putnam Avenue Upper School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Putnam Avenue Upper School — Students at Putnam Avenue Upper School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 90 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: 9.9/10.
How Putnam Avenue Upper School Compares
See how Putnam Avenue Upper School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
100 Putnam Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Putnam Avenue Upper School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Maria L. Baldwin (rated 9.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Martin Luther King Jr. (rated 9.8/10), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Graham and Parks (rated 9.6/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Cambridge, see our Cambridge schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Martin Luther King Jr. Cambridge | 0.0 mi | 9.8 |
| SAINT PAUL'S CHOIR SCHOOL Cambridge | 0.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Amigos School Cambridge | 0.4 mi | 9.0 |
| MALIK ACADEMY/ AL BUSTAN PRESCHOOL Cambridge | 0.5 mi | — |
| Cambridge Rindge and Latin Cambridge | 0.5 mi | 8.3 |
| John M Tobin Cambridge | 0.5 mi | 9.5 |
| Morse Cambridge | 0.8 mi | 9.2 |
| Prospect Hill Academy Charter School Cambridge | 0.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Cambridgeport Cambridge | 0.8 mi | 9.5 |
| Maria L. Baldwin Cambridge | 1.1 mi | 9.9 |
| BOSTON UNIVERSITY ACADEMY Boston | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Fletcher/Maynard Academy Cambridge | 0.9 mi | 5.5 |
| MATCH Charter Public School Boston | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
| NEW ENGLAND HEBREW ACADEMY Brookline | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Albert F. Argenziano School at Lincoln Park Somerville | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| IVY STREET SCHOOL Brookline | 1.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Graham and Parks Cambridge | 1.3 mi | 9.6 |
| ST THERESA SCHOOL Somerville | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| ST PETER SCHOOL Cambridge | 1.3 mi | 6.6 |
| King Open Cambridge | 1.1 mi | 7.3 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Wood Hill Middle School Andover, MA | 9.2 |
| Rindge Avenue Upper School Cambridge, MA | 9.4 |
| Cohasset Middle School Cohasset, MA | 9.7 |
| Miles River Middle Hamilton, MA | 8.6 |
| BOSTON COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL Dorchester, MA | 8.5 |
| Manchester Essex Regional Middle School Manchester, MA | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Putnam Avenue Upper School
What grades does Putnam Avenue Upper School serve?
Putnam Avenue Upper School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Putnam Avenue Upper School?
Putnam Avenue Upper School has an enrollment of approximately 270 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Putnam Avenue Upper School?
The student-teacher ratio at Putnam Avenue Upper School is 7.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Putnam Avenue Upper School rank in MA?
Putnam Avenue Upper School ranks #65 of 1,793 schools in MA.
What is Putnam Avenue Upper School's MySchoolScout rating?
Putnam Avenue Upper School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Putnam Avenue Upper School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Putnam Avenue Upper School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025).
Is Putnam Avenue Upper School a charter school?
No, Putnam Avenue Upper School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Putnam Avenue Upper School a Title I school?
No, Putnam Avenue Upper School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 270
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Middlesex County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 26.3%
- Phone
- (617) 349-7780
Resources & Links
District
Cambridge- District Enrollment
- 6,915
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $40,666
- District Rank
- #9 of 17
Other Schools in This District
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