Needs Improvement
#1756 of 1,791 schools in MA
Shaw Elementary School
Elementary School · Boston
429 Norfolk Street, Dorchester, MA 02124
Enrollment
201
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
201
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dorchester
#29 of 29
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#995 of 1,022
In district
#109 of 109
Boston
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Shaw Elementary School
Shaw Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 201 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1 with 17 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 out of 10 and a state ranking of 1753 out of 1796 schools in Massachusetts, Shaw Elementary focuses on providing a supportive learning environment for students.
On standardized tests, the school shows areas where it can improve: only 22% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 12% are proficient or above in Math. With these scores indicating room for academic growth, Shaw Elementary continues to work on nurturing its young learners. Shaw Elementary School is situated in a large city setting within Suffolk County, offering a community that values the development of its youngest residents.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Shaw Elementary School — Students at Shaw Elementary School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 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: 1.1/10.
How Shaw Elementary School Compares
See how Shaw Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 44.5% (2019) to 10% (2022).
Location
429 Norfolk Street, Dorchester, MA 02124
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Shaw Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mattahunt Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Mattapan), which scores notably higher. Another option is EllisonParks Early Education School (rated 7.9/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Mattapan), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lee Academy (rated 7.9/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dorchester, see our Dorchester schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BEREA SDA ACADEMY Mattapan | 0.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Boston International High School & Newcomers Academy Dorchester | 0.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Mildred Avenue K-8 School Mattapan | 0.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Young Achievers K-8 School Mattapan | 0.4 mi | 5.9 |
| KIPP Academy Boston Charter School Mattapan | 0.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Taylor Elementary School Mattapan | 0.6 mi | 5.8 |
| EllisonParks Early Education School Mattapan | 0.8 mi | 7.9 |
| TechBoston Academy Dorchester | 0.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Lee K-8 School Dorchester | 0.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Lee Academy Dorchester | 0.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Greenwood Sarah K-8 School Dorchester | 1.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Henderson K-12 Inclusion School Upper Dorchester | 0.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Codman Academy Charter Public School Dorchester | 1.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Mattahunt Elementary School Mattapan | 0.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Holmes Elementary School Dorchester | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| ST MARY OF THE HILLS SCHOOL Milton | 1.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Haley Pilot School Roslindale | 1.1 mi | 6.4 |
| ST JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC ACADEMY Dorchester Center | 1.1 mi | 4.8 |
| ST JOHN PAUL LOWER MILLS Dorchester | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Tucker Milton | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02124 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,168
Median Home Value
$607,200
Median Rent
$1,783/mo
Population
55,897
College Educated
31.1%
Homeownership
42%
Avg Commute
35 min
Poverty Rate
16.9%
Median Age
36.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Shaw Elementary School has a median household income of $79,168. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $607,200, with a median rent of $1,783/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.9%. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Newton School Greenfield, MA | 3.5 |
| OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY REGIONAL SCHOOL Uxbridge, MA | 3.2 |
| Charles S Ashley New Bedford, MA | 3.7 |
| Elizabeth G Lyons Elementary Randolph, MA | 3.7 |
| Atherton Hough Quincy, MA | 3.8 |
| Carlos Pacheco New Bedford, MA | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Shaw Elementary School
What grades does Shaw Elementary School serve?
Shaw Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Shaw Elementary School?
Shaw Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 201 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Shaw Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Shaw Elementary School is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Shaw Elementary School rank in MA?
Shaw Elementary School is ranked #1756 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Shaw Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Shaw Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.4 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 Shaw Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shaw Elementary School has 11.7% math proficiency and 21.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Shaw Elementary School a charter school?
No, Shaw Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Shaw Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Shaw Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 201
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Suffolk County
- Phone
- (617) 635-8777
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Boston- District Enrollment
- 45,742
- Schools in District
- 109
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $37,200
- District Rank
- #109 of 109
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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