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Very Good

#357 of 1,791 schools in MA

Top 20% in state

South Middle School

Middle School · Braintree

220 Peach Street, Braintree, MA 02184

Enrollment

638

Student-Teacher

11.4:1

Score

7.6

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Braintree

#1 of 10

public schools

Massachusetts middle schools

#51 of 305

In district

#1 of 10

Braintree

Academic growth

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About South Middle School

South Middle School serves 638 students in grades 5 through 8 in Braintree, Massachusetts, earning recognition as one of the state's stronger middle schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranking #289 out of 1,796 Massachusetts schools, the school places in the 84th percentile statewide. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.4:1 with 56 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom.

Academically, South Middle School demonstrates solid performance with 55% of students achieving proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 60% reaching proficiency in Math across all grade levels. Located at 220 Peach Street in this large suburban community, the school serves families in an established neighborhood where the median household income reaches $120,593 and nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The area's low poverty rate of 5.1% and median home values of $596,800 reflect the community's economic stability.

South Middle School operates as a regular public school in Norfolk County, providing a comprehensive middle school education in a supportive suburban setting that values academic achievement and community engagement.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change-0.27 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.0Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60%
Reading/ELA Proficiency55%
Math vs. State Avg+19 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.7 pts
Overall Proficiency58%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected+3.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
Resources & Environment5.0Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,755

South Middle School — Students at South Middle School score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 58.2%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 58.3%
School
State
45.1%

Based on 80 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2018
Math
58.3%
ELA
60.5%
2019
Math
60.6%
ELA
63%
2021*
Math
46.8%
ELA
60.2%
2022
Math
59.8%
ELA
55.2%
2023
Math
62.5%
ELA
57.5%
2024
Math
60%
ELA
54.8%
2025
Math
60.4%
ELA
57.2%

* 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: 8.9/10.

How South Middle School Compares

See how South Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
80th percentile in MA
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
8.9/10
Above average
Environment
5.0/10
Above average

Location

220 Peach Street, Braintree, MA 02184

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. SOUTH SHORE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 8.3/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Weymouth), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Mary E Flaherty School (rated 7.5/10, 2.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Liberty (rated 7.4/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Braintree, see our Braintree schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Liberty Braintree 0.3 mi 7.4
Highlands Braintree 0.6 mi 6.1
CATS ACADEMY Braintree 1.2 mi 7.4
THAYER ACADEMY Braintree 1.7 mi 6.8
Monatiquot Kindergarten Center Braintree 1.9 mi 5.8
Braintree High Braintree 1.8 mi 6.2
Archie T Morrison Braintree 2.0 mi 6.1
Hollis Braintree 2.2 mi 7.3
LIGHTHOUSE BAPTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Holbrook 1.9 mi
Holbrook Middle High School Holbrook 2.5 mi 4.0
John F Kennedy Holbrook 2.5 mi 5.1
East Middle School Braintree 2.5 mi 5.7
STEP AHEAD KINDERGARTEN Braintree 2.6 mi
FIRST BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Weymouth 2.0 mi 5.3
Thomas V Nash Weymouth 2.0 mi 5.7
J F Kennedy Elementary Randolph 2.3 mi 6.1
Frederick C Murphy Weymouth 2.4 mi 5.5
Mary E Flaherty School Braintree 2.8 mi 7.5
Elizabeth G Lyons Elementary Randolph 2.3 mi 3.7
SOUTH SHORE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Weymouth 2.7 mi 8.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02184 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$125,305

Median Home Value

$623,200

Median Rent

$1,925/mo

Population

38,762

College Educated

47.1%

Homeownership

77.1%

Avg Commute

32.7 min

Poverty Rate

5.2%

Median Age

41.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Middle School has a median household income of $125,305. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $623,200, with a median rent of $1,925/month. The local poverty rate of 5.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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
Sullivan Middle Worcester, MA 7.6
Winthrop Middle School Winthrop, MA 7.6
Monomoy Regional Middle School Chatham, MA 7.5
Norwell Middle School Norwell, MA 7.5
Rupert A Nock Middle Newburyport, MA 7.5
Sarah W Gibbons Middle Westborough, MA 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Middle School

What grades does South Middle School serve?

South Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend South Middle School?

South Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 638 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at South Middle School is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Middle School rank in MA?

South Middle School is ranked #357 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is South Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Middle School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 South Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Middle School has 58.2% math proficiency and 58.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Middle School a charter school?

No, South Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is South Middle School a Title I school?

No, South Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
18 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
21 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,407/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Braintree). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
638
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
56
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Norfolk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Braintree
District Enrollment
5,237
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,658
District Rank
#1 of 10

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 methodology

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