Very Good
#397 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 22% in state
Thoreau
Elementary School · Concord
29 Prairie Street, Concord, MA 01742
Enrollment
436
Student-Teacher
10.4:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
436
Student-Teacher
10.4:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Concord
#4 of 5
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#249 of 1,022
In district
#3 of 4
Concord
Equity
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Thoreau
Thoreau Elementary School serves 436 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Concord, Massachusetts. With 42 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent 10.4:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention and smaller class sizes. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranking #75 among Massachusetts' 1,796 elementary schools, placing it in the 96th percentile statewide.
This impressive ranking reflects the school's academic score of 9.0 out of 10. Students perform well in core subjects, with 69% achieving proficient or above levels in both English Language Arts/Reading and Mathematics across all grade levels. Thoreau Elementary operates within an affluent and highly educated community where 77% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The neighborhood's median household income of $183,657 and median home value of $1,021,400 reflect the area's economic prosperity, while a low poverty rate of 2.5% indicates strong community resources. Located on Prairie Street in this large suburban setting, Thoreau Elementary benefits from being situated in one of Massachusetts' most educationally supportive and resource-rich communities.
Score Breakdown
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Thoreau — Students at Thoreau score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
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
↓ 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: 6.0/10.
How Thoreau Compares
See how Thoreau performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 80% (2019) to 69% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 81% (2019) to 69% (2022).
Location
29 Prairie Street, Concord, MA 01742
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thoreau may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. General John Nixon Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Sudbury), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Josiah Haynes (rated 7.8/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Sudbury), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Luther Conant School (rated 7.5/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Acton), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Concord, see our Concord schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Concord Middle Concord | 0.8 mi | 8.8 |
| Willard Concord | 1.7 mi | 7.2 |
| NASHOBA BROOKS SCHOOL Concord | 2.0 mi | 7.3 |
| CORWIN-RUSSELL SCHOOL AT BROCCOLI HALL Sudbury | 2.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Josiah Haynes Sudbury | 2.6 mi | 7.8 |
| WILLOW HILL SCHOOL Sudbury | 2.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Luther Conant School Acton | 2.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Concord Carlisle High Concord | 2.5 mi | 8.9 |
| Alcott Concord | 2.6 mi | 7.5 |
| THE FENN SCHOOL Concord | 2.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High Sudbury | 3.7 mi | 7.6 |
| General John Nixon Elementary Sudbury | 4.2 mi | 8.2 |
| McCarthy-Towne School Acton | 3.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Merriam School Acton | 3.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Maynard High Maynard | 3.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Raymond J Grey Junior High Acton | 3.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Fowler School Maynard | 3.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Green Meadow Maynard | 3.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Acton-Boxborough Regional High Acton | 3.7 mi | 7.9 |
| THE IMAGO SCHOOL ASSOCIATION Maynard | 3.6 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 01742 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$211,435
Median Home Value
$1,139,200
Median Rent
$2,471/mo
Population
18,337
College Educated
79.1%
Homeownership
79.1%
Avg Commute
32.1 min
Poverty Rate
2.5%
Median Age
44.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thoreau has a median household income of $211,435. It is a well-educated community where 79% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,139,200, with a median rent of $2,471/month. The local poverty rate of 2.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Alcott Concord, MA | 7.5 |
| Ambrose Elementary Winchester, MA | 7.5 |
| BELMONT DAY SCHOOL Belmont, MA | 7.5 |
| Broadmeadow Needham, MA | 7.5 |
| Claypit Hill School Wayland, MA | 7.5 |
| Eastford Road Southbridge, MA | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thoreau
What grades does Thoreau serve?
Thoreau serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Thoreau?
Thoreau has an enrollment of approximately 436 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thoreau?
The student-teacher ratio at Thoreau 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 Thoreau rank in MA?
Thoreau is ranked #397 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Thoreau's MySchoolScout rating?
Thoreau has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Thoreau?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thoreau has 72.7% math proficiency and 73.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thoreau a charter school?
No, Thoreau is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thoreau a Title I school?
No, Thoreau is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Concord). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 436
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Middlesex County
- Phone
- (978) 318-1300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Concord- District Enrollment
- 1,971
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $28,110
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
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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