Excellent
#94 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 5% in state
Putnam Avenue Upper School
Middle School · Cambridge
100 Putnam Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139
Enrollment
270
Student-Teacher
7.7:1
Score
8.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
270
Student-Teacher
7.7:1
Score
8.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cambridge
#12 of 20
public schools
Massachusetts middle schools
#17 of 305
In district
#11 of 17
Cambridge
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Putnam Avenue Upper School
Putnam Avenue Upper School is a public middle school in Cambridge, MA, part of the Cambridge. The school serves approximately 270 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 7.7:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 94.8th percentile among MA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 39% proficiency in math, 3 points below the state average and 53% in reading/language arts, 7 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $124,648, where 78% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a midsize city setting.
What's said publicly about Putnam Avenue Upper School
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.
Sources (1)
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.7:1, Putnam Avenue Upper 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Putnam Avenue Upper School — Students at Putnam Avenue Upper School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
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 74 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 33% (2019) to 33% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 48% (2019) to 51% (2022).
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. Martin Luther King Jr. (rated 9.9/10), which scores notably higher. Another option is Maria L. Baldwin (rated 9.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Graham and Parks (rated 9.4/10, 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 | 9.9 |
| 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 | 9.0 |
| John M Tobin Cambridge | 0.5 mi | 9.2 |
| Morse Cambridge | 0.8 mi | 9.2 |
| Prospect Hill Academy Charter School Cambridge | 0.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Cambridgeport Cambridge | 0.8 mi | 9.1 |
| 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 | 5.4 |
| MATCH Charter Public School Boston | 1.1 mi | 4.9 |
| NEW ENGLAND HEBREW ACADEMY Brookline | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Albert F. Argenziano School at Lincoln Park Somerville | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| IVY STREET SCHOOL Brookline | 1.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Graham and Parks Cambridge | 1.3 mi | 9.4 |
| ST THERESA SCHOOL Somerville | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| ST PETER SCHOOL Cambridge | 1.3 mi | 6.6 |
| King Open Cambridge | 1.1 mi | 7.1 |
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 Putnam Avenue Upper 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 |
|---|---|
| BOSTON COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL Dorchester, MA | 8.5 |
| Cohasset Middle School Cohasset, MA | 9.0 |
| Wood Hill Middle School Andover, MA | 9.0 |
| Miles River Middle Hamilton, MA | 8.3 |
| Rindge Avenue Upper School Cambridge, MA | 9.3 |
| Amherst Regional Middle School Amherst, MA | 8.0 |
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 is ranked #94 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Putnam Avenue Upper School's MySchoolScout rating?
Putnam Avenue Upper School has a composite rating of 8.7 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 Putnam Avenue Upper School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Putnam Avenue Upper School has 39.4% math proficiency and 52.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- Walk Score
- 95 Walker's Paradise
- Transit Score
- 78 Excellent Transit
- Bike Score
- 99 Biker’s Paradise
- City Safety
- High (3,093/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cambridge). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (617) 349-7780
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cambridge- District Enrollment
- 6,915
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $40,666
- District Rank
- #11 of 17
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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