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Below Average

#352 of 389 private schools in MA

St Joseph School

Elementary School

90 PICKERING ST, Needham, MA 02492

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 8 schools in Needham. Learn more

Enrollment

446

Student-Teacher

12.6:1

Score

4.7

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Needham

#2 of 2

public schools

Massachusetts elementary schools

#173 of 200

Academic performance

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About St Joseph School

ST Joseph School is an elementary school located in the suburban area of Needham, Massachusetts. Serving students from pre-K through 8th grade, it has a total enrollment of 446 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.6:1, indicating a relatively small class size that allows for personalized attention. With 35 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the school aims to provide a nurturing educational environment.

While academic performance data is limited, ST Joseph School operates with an eye towards fostering growth and development in its students. The MySchoolScout Rating of 1.6/10 suggests that there may be areas for improvement academically, but it also highlights opportunities for the school to enhance its programs and support student success. ST Joseph School is situated in a large suburban setting with easy access to local amenities and community resources.

The neighborhood offers a supportive environment for families looking to engage in extracurricular activities and build connections within the community.

What Parents Should Know

As a private school, St Joseph School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How St Joseph School compares to 7 public schools serving similar grades in Needham, MA

Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
This School
vs
12.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
446
This School
vs
560
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
4.7
This School
vs
8.3
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 90.8% vs 0%
Hispanic 4.5% vs 0%
Asian 2.9% vs 0%
Black 1.1% vs 0%
St Joseph School Needham Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
St Joseph School (this school) 4.7
Pollard Middle 8.5
High Rock School 8.6
William Mitchell 8.5
Newman Elementary 9.0
Sunita L. Williams Elementary 7.0
Broadmeadow 7.5
John Eliot 8.7

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
C 3.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 12.6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B 6.2 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.6 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,174.8
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C 3.0 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 17%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.0 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 446
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in MA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 90.8%
Hispanic 4.5%
Asian 2.9%
Black 1.1%
Two or More 0.4%
Pacific Islander 0.2%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

90 PICKERING ST, Needham, MA 02492

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St Joseph School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. A E Angier (rated 9.5/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Waban), which scores notably higher. Another option is Newman Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, John Eliot (rated 8.7/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Needham, see our Needham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Needham High Needham 0.3 mi 9.0
Pollard Middle Needham 0.6 mi 8.5
High Rock School Needham 0.7 mi 8.6
William Mitchell Needham 0.8 mi 8.5
Newman Elementary Needham 1.1 mi 9.0
Sunita L. Williams Elementary Needham 1.3 mi 7.0
John Eliot Needham 1.6 mi 8.7
RIVERSIDE SCHOOL Needham 1.6 mi
Broadmeadow Needham 1.4 mi 7.5
HAPPY CHILD PRESCHOOL/DAY CARE CENTER Newton 1.9 mi
FUSION ACADEMY NEWTON Newton 1.9 mi 5.3
Joseph E Fiske Wellesley 2.2 mi 8.6
Preschool at Wellesley Schools Wellesley 2.3 mi 8.2
THE RASHI SCHOOL Dedham 2.2 mi 6.4
SOLOMON SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOL Newton 2.1 mi 7.1
WALKER SCHOOL Needham 2.4 mi 8.5
Schofield Wellesley 2.8 mi 7.9
A E Angier Waban 3.1 mi 9.5
Countryside Newton Highlands 2.7 mi 8.5
MONTESSORI DAY SCHOOL OF WELLESLEY HILLS Wellesley Hls 2.7 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02492 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$222,063

Median Home Value

$1,177,300

Median Rent

$2,256/mo

Population

21,481

College Educated

84.1%

Homeownership

90.7%

Avg Commute

29.2 min

Poverty Rate

4.2%

Median Age

42.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding St Joseph School has a median household income of $222,063. It is a well-educated community where 84% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,177,300, with a median rent of $2,256/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
A. Irvin Studley Elementary School Attleboro, MA 4.7
Alfred M Chaffee Oxford, MA 4.7
Beaver Brook Elementary Abington, MA 4.7
Charles W Morey Lowell, MA 4.7
Charlotte A Dunning Framingham, MA 4.7
Elizabeth Pole Taunton, MA 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St Joseph School

What grades does St Joseph School serve?

St Joseph School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend St Joseph School?

St Joseph School has an enrollment of approximately 446 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at St Joseph School?

The student-teacher ratio at St Joseph School is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does St Joseph School rank in MA?

St Joseph School is ranked #352 out of 389 private schools in MA.

What is St Joseph School's MySchoolScout rating?

St Joseph School has a composite rating of 4.7 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.

Is St Joseph School a private school?

Yes, St Joseph School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is St Joseph School a religious school?

St Joseph School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (702/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
446
Gender Split
50% M / 50% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
6.6 hours
Days Per Year
178 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
NORFOLK
Data Year
2022–2023

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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