Very Good
#606 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 34% in state
Sunita L. Williams Elementary
Elementary School · Needham
585 Central Avenue, Needham, MA 02494
Enrollment
531
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
531
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Needham
#8 of 8
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#373 of 1,022
In district
#8 of 8
Needham
Equity
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Sunita L. Williams Elementary
Sunita L. Williams Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade students in Needham, a large suburban community in Norfolk County. The school enrolls 531 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.3 to 1, supported by 40 full-time equivalent teachers.
Academically, Sunita L. Williams Elementary earns a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks in the 84th percentile among Massachusetts schools (#298 out of 1,796). The school's academic score of 8.3 reflects solid performance across core subjects.
In English Language Arts and reading, 68% of students score at or above proficiency levels, while 66% meet or exceed proficiency benchmarks in math. Science shows particularly strong results, with 70% of students demonstrating proficiency or above. Located at 585 Central Avenue, Sunita L.
Williams Elementary is well-positioned within Needham's suburban setting, offering families a neighborhood school with accessible academics and engaged teaching staff. The school's moderate class sizes and experienced faculty provide a foundation for student learning and development in the elementary years.
Score Breakdown
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Sunita L. Williams Elementary — Students at Sunita L. Williams Elementary score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 60 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: 6.3/10.
How Sunita L. Williams Elementary Compares
See how Sunita L. Williams Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 76% (2019) to 63% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 76% (2019) to 61% (2022).
Location
585 Central Avenue, Needham, MA 02494
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sunita L. Williams Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. A E Angier (rated 9.5/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Waban), which scores notably higher. Another option is Newman Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, John Eliot (rated 8.7/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Needham, see our Needham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| John Eliot Needham | 0.6 mi | 8.7 |
| Joseph E Fiske Wellesley | 0.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Preschool at Wellesley Schools Wellesley | 1.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Newman Elementary Needham | 1.3 mi | 9.0 |
| Needham High Needham | 1.2 mi | 9.0 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Needham | 1.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Schofield Wellesley | 1.5 mi | 7.9 |
| High Rock School Needham | 1.7 mi | 8.6 |
| RIVERSIDE SCHOOL Needham | 1.3 mi | — |
| William Mitchell Needham | 1.5 mi | 8.5 |
| HAPPY CHILD PRESCHOOL/DAY CARE CENTER Newton | 1.5 mi | — |
| MONTESSORI DAY SCHOOL OF WELLESLEY HILLS Wellesley Hls | 1.5 mi | — |
| ST JOHN SCHOOL Wellesley | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| A E Angier Waban | 2.0 mi | 9.5 |
| Pollard Middle Needham | 1.9 mi | 8.5 |
| Wellesley Sr High Wellesley | 1.6 mi | 8.9 |
| FUSION ACADEMY NEWTON Newton | 1.7 mi | 5.3 |
| TENACRE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Wellesley | 2.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Zervas Waban | 2.5 mi | 7.5 |
| DANA HALL SCHOOL Wellesley | 2.2 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02494 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$173,750
Median Home Value
$1,052,400
Median Rent
$2,452/mo
Population
10,578
College Educated
74.6%
Homeownership
72.7%
Avg Commute
27.5 min
Poverty Rate
2.9%
Median Age
43.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sunita L. Williams Elementary has a median household income of $173,750. It is a well-educated community where 75% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,052,400, with a median rent of $2,452/month. The local poverty rate of 2.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Blanchard Memorial School Boxborough, MA | 7.0 |
| Charles C Cashman Elementary Amesbury, MA | 7.0 |
| Early Childhood Center Dedham, MA | 7.0 |
| Fox Hill Burlington, MA | 7.0 |
| Francis J Kane Marlborough, MA | 7.0 |
| German Gerena Community School Springfield, MA | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sunita L. Williams Elementary
What grades does Sunita L. Williams Elementary serve?
Sunita L. Williams Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Sunita L. Williams Elementary?
Sunita L. Williams Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 531 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sunita L. Williams Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Sunita L. Williams Elementary is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sunita L. Williams Elementary rank in MA?
Sunita L. Williams Elementary is ranked #606 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Sunita L. Williams Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Sunita L. Williams Elementary has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Sunita L. Williams Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sunita L. Williams Elementary has 65.5% math proficiency and 67.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sunita L. Williams Elementary a charter school?
No, Sunita L. Williams Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sunita L. Williams Elementary a Title I school?
No, Sunita L. Williams Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 22 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 24 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 27 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- Elevated (702/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Needham). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 531
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Norfolk County
- Phone
- (781) 455-0461
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Needham- District Enrollment
- 5,541
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $24,189
- District Rank
- #8 of 8
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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