Average
#648 of 1,793 schools in MA
Top 36% in state
Vassal Lane Upper School
Middle School · Cambridge
158 Spring Street, Cambridge, MA 02141
Enrollment
258
Student-Teacher
6:1
Score
6.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
258
Student-Teacher
6:1
Score
6.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Massachusetts schools
#648 of 1,793
In Cambridge
#18 of 20
public schools
In district
#16 of 17
Cambridge
School environment
9.5 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Vassal Lane Upper School?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Vassal Lane Upper School
Middle School in Cambridge · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Kennedy-longfellow
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Community Charter School of Cambridge
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Vassal Lane Upper School
Vassal Lane Upper School is a public middle school in Cambridge, MA, part of Cambridge. Vassal Lane Upper School serves approximately 258 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 6:1 student-teacher ratio. Vassal Lane Upper School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #648 of 1,793 schools in MA.
Structured state assessment records for Vassal Lane Upper School show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022).
- This school 6.9 · Average
- District avg 8.3
- MA avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 6:1 students to teachers, Vassal Lane Upper School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Vassal Lane Upper School — Students at Vassal Lane Upper School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Test Scores MA EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 22 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: 5.3/10.
How Vassal Lane Upper School Compares
See how Vassal Lane Upper School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
158 Spring Street, Cambridge, MA 02141
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Vassal Lane Upper School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Cambridgeport (rated 9.5/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is John M Tobin (rated 9.5/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, THE NEWMAN SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Boston), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cambridge, see our Cambridge schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Kennedy-Longfellow Cambridge | 0.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Community Charter School of Cambridge Cambridge | 0.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Cambridge Street Upper School Cambridge | 0.3 mi | 7.8 |
| King Open Cambridge | 0.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Fletcher/Maynard Academy Cambridge | 0.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Cambridgeport Cambridge | 0.6 mi | 9.5 |
| Capuano Early Childhood Center Somerville | 0.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Prospect Hill Academy Charter School Cambridge | 0.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Albert F. Argenziano School at Lincoln Park Somerville | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| E Somerville Community Somerville | 1.1 mi | 4.5 |
| John M Tobin Cambridge | 0.9 mi | 9.5 |
| THE NEWMAN SCHOOL Boston | 1.2 mi | 8.6 |
| THE NEWMAN SCHOOL Boston | 1.2 mi | 8.1 |
| THE ADVENT SCHOOL Boston | 1.1 mi | 8.0 |
| LEARNING PROJECT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Boston | 1.2 mi | 8.1 |
| COMMONWEALTH SCHOOL Boston | 1.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Somerville High Somerville | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Next Wave Junior High Somerville | 1.3 mi | — |
| Full Circle High School Somerville | 1.3 mi | 4.2 |
| KINGSLEY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Boston | 1.3 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02141 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$120,542
Median Home Value
$892,600
Median Rent
$2,752/mo
Population
14,677
College Educated
74.5%
Homeownership
27.3%
Avg Commute
28.5 min
Poverty Rate
14%
Median Age
30.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Annie Sullivan Middle School Franklin, MA | 6.9 |
| Jabish Middle School Belchertown, MA | 6.9 |
| Pentucket Regional Middle West Newbury, MA | 6.9 |
| Williams Middle Longmeadow, MA | 7.0 |
| Chestnut Accelerated Middle School (Talented and Gifted) Springfield, MA | 6.8 |
| Rockport Middle Rockport, MA | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Vassal Lane Upper School
What grades does Vassal Lane Upper School serve?
Vassal Lane Upper School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Vassal Lane Upper School?
Vassal Lane Upper School has an enrollment of approximately 258 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Vassal Lane Upper School?
The student-teacher ratio at Vassal Lane Upper School is 6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Vassal Lane Upper School rank in MA?
Vassal Lane Upper School ranks #648 of 1,793 schools in MA.
What is Vassal Lane Upper School's MySchoolScout rating?
Vassal Lane Upper School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 Vassal Lane Upper School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Vassal Lane Upper School has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022).
Is Vassal Lane Upper School a charter school?
No, Vassal Lane Upper School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Vassal Lane Upper School a Title I school?
No, Vassal Lane Upper School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 258
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Middlesex County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 19.4%
- Phone
- (617) 349-6550
Resources & Links
District
Cambridge- District Enrollment
- 6,915
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $40,666
- District Rank
- #16 of 17
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.