Excellent
#17 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 1% in state
Rindge Avenue Upper School
Middle School · Cambridge
70 Rindge Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140
Enrollment
289
Student-Teacher
8.8:1
Score
9.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
289
Student-Teacher
8.8:1
Score
9.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cambridge
#5 of 20
public schools
Massachusetts middle schools
#1 of 305
In district
#5 of 17
Cambridge
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Rindge Avenue Upper School
Rindge Avenue Upper School is a public middle school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, serving 289 students across grades 6 through 8. Its student-teacher ratio of 8.8:1 is notably low, giving students more direct access to instruction than the vast majority of their peers statewide — a structural advantage that shows up in the school's performance numbers. Rindge earns a composite score of 9.3/10, rated Exceptional, anchored by a 9.5/10 growth score that reflects strong year-over-year academic gains.
It ranks first among all 305 middle schools in Massachusetts, and 17th out of 1,791 public schools statewide, outperforming 99% of Massachusetts schools at any level. An 8.7/10 academic score confirms that growth here isn't coming at the expense of raw achievement. Within Cambridge, Rindge places fifth out of 20 public schools — a strong result in a city where school quality is genuinely competitive.
For families sorting through middle school options, the combination of low class sizes, top-tier growth scores, and the highest middle school ranking in the state makes this school a standout choice.
What's said publicly about Rindge 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 8.8:1, Rindge 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
Rindge Avenue Upper School — Students at Rindge Avenue Upper School score 58% proficient, which is above 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
→ 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: 9.5/10.
How Rindge Avenue Upper School Compares
See how Rindge Avenue Upper School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 62% (2019) to 64% (2022).
Location
70 Rindge Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rindge Avenue Upper School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Maria L. Baldwin (rated 9.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Graham and Parks (rated 9.4/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Cambridge Rindge and Latin (rated 9.0/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Cambridge, see our Cambridge schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Peabody Cambridge | 0.0 mi | 7.0 |
| WILD ROSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Cambridge | 0.2 mi | — |
| Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School Cambridge | 0.2 mi | 8.7 |
| CAMBRIDGE FRIENDS SCHOOL Cambridge | 0.3 mi | 7.4 |
| THE CAMBRIDGE MATIGNON SCHOOL Cambridge | 0.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Graham and Parks Cambridge | 0.7 mi | 9.4 |
| ST PETER SCHOOL Cambridge | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| John F Kennedy Somerville | 0.7 mi | 8.9 |
| West Somerville Neighborhood Somerville | 1.0 mi | 8.3 |
| Benjamin G Brown Somerville | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Maria L. Baldwin Cambridge | 0.9 mi | 9.9 |
| ST THERESA SCHOOL Somerville | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Hardy Arlington | 1.2 mi | 8.7 |
| BUCKINGHAM BROWNE & NICHOLS SCHOOL Cambridge | 1.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Thompson Arlington | 1.5 mi | 7.7 |
| SHADY HILL SCHOOL Cambridge | 1.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Curtis-Tufts Medford | 1.3 mi | — |
| Cambridge Rindge and Latin Cambridge | 1.5 mi | 9.0 |
| SAINT PAUL'S CHOIR SCHOOL Cambridge | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
| LESLEY ELLIS SCHOOL Arlington | 1.5 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02140 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$136,382
Median Home Value
$1,070,200
Median Rent
$2,581/mo
Population
21,361
College Educated
78.6%
Homeownership
35.9%
Avg Commute
30.9 min
Poverty Rate
10.8%
Median Age
34.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Rindge Avenue Upper School has a median household income of $136,382. It is a well-educated community where 79% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,070,200, with a median rent of $2,581/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.8%. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Cohasset Middle School Cohasset, MA | 9.0 |
| Wood Hill Middle School Andover, MA | 9.0 |
| Putnam Avenue Upper School Cambridge, MA | 8.7 |
| BOSTON COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL Dorchester, MA | 8.5 |
| Miles River Middle Hamilton, MA | 8.3 |
| Amherst Regional Middle School Amherst, MA | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rindge Avenue Upper School
What grades does Rindge Avenue Upper School serve?
Rindge Avenue Upper School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Rindge Avenue Upper School?
Rindge Avenue Upper School has an enrollment of approximately 289 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rindge Avenue Upper School?
The student-teacher ratio at Rindge Avenue Upper School is 8.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rindge Avenue Upper School rank in MA?
Rindge Avenue Upper School is ranked #17 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Rindge Avenue Upper School's MySchoolScout rating?
Rindge Avenue Upper School has a composite rating of 9.3 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 Rindge Avenue Upper School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rindge Avenue Upper School has 55.5% math proficiency and 64.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Rindge Avenue Upper School a charter school?
No, Rindge Avenue Upper School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rindge Avenue Upper School a Title I school?
No, Rindge Avenue Upper School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 91 Walker's Paradise
- Transit Score
- 68 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 91 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
- 289
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Middlesex County
- Phone
- (617) 349-4060
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cambridge- District Enrollment
- 6,915
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $40,666
- District Rank
- #5 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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