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Average

#1355 of 1,793 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

5.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Massachusetts schools

#1,355 of 1,793

In Waltham

#10 of 10

public schools

In district

#10 of 10

Waltham

School environment

9.1 / 10

Excellent

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Thomas R Plympton Elementary School

5.0/10

Elementary School in Waltham · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Chapel Hill Chauncy Hall School

7.8/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

John W. Mcdevitt Middle School

6.2/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Thomas R Plympton Elementary School

Thomas R Plympton Elementary School is a public elementary school in Waltham, MA, part of Waltham. Thomas R Plympton Elementary School serves approximately 352 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 10.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Thomas R Plympton Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,355 of 1,793 schools in MA.

Structured state assessment records for Thomas R Plympton Elementary School show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.4 pts below district
  • This school 5.0 · Average
  • District avg 6.4
  • MA avg 6.3

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data17
Annual Change-3.15 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33.3% (2025 MCAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32% (2025 MCAS)
Math vs. State Avg-8.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.6 pts
Overall Proficiency33% (2025 MCAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2025 MCAS)
vs. Expected-6.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
Resources & Environment9.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,267
Chronic Absenteeism18.5%

Thomas R Plympton Elementary School — Students at Thomas R Plympton Elementary School score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 41.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
42.2% (multi-year state average, 2019-2025)
ELA Proficiency 41.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.3% (multi-year state average, 2019-2025)

Based on 76 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
60%
ELA
66%
2011
Math
49%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
46%
ELA
53%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
56%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
44%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
51%
ELA
44%
2018
Math
51%
ELA
49%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
48.3%
2020*
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
35.8%
ELA
40.5%
2022
Math
35.8%
ELA
30%
2023
Math
40%
ELA
38.3%
2024
Math
26.3%
ELA
26%
2025
Math
33.3%
ELA
32%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How Thomas R Plympton Elementary School Compares

See how Thomas R Plympton Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
25th percentile in MA
Academic
5.2/10
Average
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.1/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.7/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Auburndale), which scores notably higher. Another option is Douglas MacArthur Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Franklin (rated 7.4/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby West Newton), 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 6.2
Waltham Public Schools Dual Language Program Waltham 1.1 mi 6.5
MILESTONES DAY SCHOOL Waltham 1.1 mi 6.9
William F. Stanley Elementary School Waltham 1.1 mi 6.0
John F Kennedy Middle Waltham 1.1 mi 8.7
Waltham Sr High Waltham 1.1 mi 5.7
Henry Whittemore Elementary School Waltham 1.4 mi 7.1
Douglas MacArthur Elementary School Waltham 1.6 mi 7.9
Franklin West Newton 1.8 mi 7.4
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 8.7
James Fitzgerald Elementary School Waltham 1.7 mi 6.0
JEWISH COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL, INC DBA JCDS BOSTONS Watertown 1.9 mi 6.2
LEARNING PREP SCHOOL West Newton 2.5 mi 7.4
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
A. Irvin Studley Elementary School Attleboro, MA 5.0
Bridge Street Northampton, MA 5.0
Hubbardston Center Hubbardston, MA 5.0
Ivan G Smith Danvers, MA 5.0
Mark G Hoyle Elementary Swansea, MA 5.0
North Brookfield Elementary North Brookfield, MA 5.0

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 ranks #1,355 of 1,793 schools in MA.

What is Thomas R Plympton Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Thomas R Plympton Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 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 Thomas R Plympton Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Thomas R Plympton Elementary School has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
74 Very Walkable
Transit Score
40 Some Transit
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.5%

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