Needs Improvement
#1743 of 1,793 schools in MA
Shaw Elementary School
Elementary School · Boston
429 Norfolk Street, Dorchester, MA 02124
Enrollment
201
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
3.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
201
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
3.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Massachusetts schools
#1,743 of 1,793
In Dorchester
#29 of 29
public schools
In district
#109 of 109
Boston
Shortlisting around Shaw Elementary School?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Shaw Elementary School
Elementary School in Dorchester · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Berea Sda Academy
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Boston International High School & Newcomers Academy
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Shaw Elementary School
Shaw Elementary School is a public elementary school in Dorchester, MA, part of Boston. Shaw Elementary School serves approximately 201 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Shaw Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,743 of 1,793 schools in MA.
Structured state assessment records for Shaw Elementary School show 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2022) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2022).
- This school 3.2 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 6.7
- MA avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
40% of students at Shaw Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Shaw Elementary School — Students at Shaw Elementary School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Test Scores MA EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 12 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: 2.0/10.
How Shaw Elementary School Compares
See how Shaw Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 8.0/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Mattapan), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lee Academy (rated 6.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Greenwood Sarah K-8 School (rated 6.4/10, 1.1 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 | 4.6 |
| Mildred Avenue K-8 School Mattapan | 0.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Young Achievers K-8 School Mattapan | 0.4 mi | 4.4 |
| KIPP Academy Boston Charter School Mattapan | 0.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Taylor Elementary School Mattapan | 0.6 mi | 5.5 |
| EllisonParks Early Education School Mattapan | 0.8 mi | 5.9 |
| TechBoston Academy Dorchester | 0.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Lee K-8 School Dorchester | 0.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Lee Academy Dorchester | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Greenwood Sarah K-8 School Dorchester | 1.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Henderson K-12 Inclusion School Upper Dorchester | 0.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Codman Academy Charter Public School Dorchester | 1.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Mattahunt Elementary School Mattapan | 0.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Holmes Elementary School Dorchester | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| ST MARY OF THE HILLS SCHOOL Milton | 1.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Haley Pilot School Roslindale | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| 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 | 6.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Atkinson North Andover, MA | 3.2 |
| Thomas R Rodman New Bedford, MA | 3.2 |
| OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY REGIONAL SCHOOL Uxbridge, MA | 3.3 |
| Martin E Young Elementary Randolph, MA | 3.4 |
| West Brookfield Elementary West Brookfield, MA | 3.4 |
| Atherton Hough Quincy, MA | 3.0 |
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 ranks #1,743 of 1,793 schools in MA.
What is Shaw Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Shaw Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 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 Shaw Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Shaw Elementary School has 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2022) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 39.8%
- Phone
- (617) 635-8777
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
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.