Average
#1195 of 1,791 schools in MA
Thomas R Plympton Elementary School
Elementary School · Waltham
20 Farnsworth Street, Waltham, MA 02451
Enrollment
352
Student-Teacher
10.4:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
352
Student-Teacher
10.4:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waltham
#9 of 10
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#667 of 1,022
In district
#9 of 10
Waltham
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Thomas R Plympton Elementary School
Thomas R Plympton Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the heart of Waltham, Massachusetts. Serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade, the school currently has an enrollment of 352 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.4:1 with 34 full-time equivalent teachers. The setting provides a nurturing environment where educators can focus on individual student needs.
While the MySchoolScout rating places Thomas R Plympton at 4.7 out of 10, ranking it 37th percentile among Massachusetts schools, the community is dedicated to fostering academic growth and development. Test scores indicate that 36% of students are proficient in English Language Arts/Reading, 38% in Math, and 28% in Science across all grades. Although these percentages suggest areas for improvement, the school remains committed to enhancing its curriculum and support systems to better serve its diverse student body.
Thomas R Plympton Elementary School is situated in a small city setting, offering students access to a variety of local resources and community activities that complement their educational experience.
Score Breakdown
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Thomas R Plympton Elementary School — Students at Thomas R Plympton Elementary School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 54 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: 4.3/10.
How Thomas R Plympton Elementary School Compares
See how Thomas R Plympton Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 51% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 32% (2022).
Location
20 Farnsworth Street, Waltham, MA 02451
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thomas R Plympton Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. C C Burr (rated 8.4/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Auburndale), which scores notably higher. Another option is Douglas MacArthur Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, OUR LADYS ACADEMY (rated 6.9/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Waltham, see our Waltham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CHAPEL HILL CHAUNCY HALL SCHOOL Waltham | 0.5 mi | 7.8 |
| John W. McDevitt Middle School Waltham | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Waltham Public Schools Dual Language Program Waltham | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
| MILESTONES DAY SCHOOL Waltham | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| William F. Stanley Elementary School Waltham | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| John F Kennedy Middle Waltham | 1.1 mi | 8.6 |
| Waltham Sr High Waltham | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Henry Whittemore Elementary School Waltham | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Douglas MacArthur Elementary School Waltham | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Franklin West Newton | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Northeast Elementary School Waltham | 1.7 mi | 6.0 |
| GANN ACADEMY-THE NEW JEWISH HIGH SCHOOL Waltham | 1.6 mi | 6.6 |
| THE CAMBRIDGE SCHOOL OF WESTON Weston | 1.5 mi | 7.1 |
| OUR LADYS ACADEMY Waltham | 2.0 mi | 6.9 |
| C C Burr Auburndale | 2.1 mi | 8.4 |
| James Fitzgerald Elementary School Waltham | 1.7 mi | 6.5 |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL, INC DBA JCDS BOSTONS Watertown | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
| LEARNING PREP SCHOOL West Newton | 2.5 mi | 7.3 |
| GIFFORD SCHOOL Weston | 2.0 mi | 5.4 |
| F A Day Middle Newtonville | 2.2 mi | 8.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02451 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$119,509
Median Home Value
$709,200
Median Rent
$2,537/mo
Population
18,153
College Educated
54.7%
Homeownership
58.6%
Avg Commute
25.3 min
Poverty Rate
7.5%
Median Age
39.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thomas R Plympton Elementary School has a median household income of $119,509. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $709,200, with a median rent of $2,537/month. The local poverty rate of 7.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Anne Bradstreet Early Childhood Center North Andover, MA | 5.6 |
| Berkley Community School Berkley, MA | 5.6 |
| Charles D Harrington North Chelmsford, MA | 5.6 |
| Fairview Elementary Chicopee, MA | 5.6 |
| Helen Hansen Elementary Stoughton, MA | 5.6 |
| Lincoln Springfield, MA | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thomas R Plympton Elementary School
What grades does Thomas R Plympton Elementary School serve?
Thomas R Plympton Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Thomas R Plympton Elementary School?
Thomas R Plympton Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 352 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas R Plympton Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Thomas R Plympton Elementary School is 10.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thomas R Plympton Elementary School rank in MA?
Thomas R Plympton Elementary School is ranked #1195 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Thomas R Plympton Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Thomas R Plympton Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Thomas R Plympton Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thomas R Plympton Elementary School has 38.6% math proficiency and 37.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thomas R Plympton Elementary School a charter school?
No, Thomas R Plympton Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thomas R Plympton Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Thomas R Plympton Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (962/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Waltham). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 352
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Middlesex County
- Phone
- (781) 314-5765
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Waltham- District Enrollment
- 5,709
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,267
- District Rank
- #9 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 methodologyRelated reading
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