Average
#1233 of 1,791 schools in MA
Vassal Lane Upper School
Middle School · Cambridge
158 Spring Street, Cambridge, MA 02141
Enrollment
258
Student-Teacher
6:1
Score
5.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
258
Student-Teacher
6:1
Score
5.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cambridge
#20 of 20
public schools
Massachusetts middle schools
#211 of 305
In district
#17 of 17
Cambridge
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Vassal Lane Upper School
Vassal Lane Upper School is a middle school located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. The school has an enrollment of 258 students and maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio of 6:1 with 43 full-time equivalent teachers. Set in the heart of a mid-size city, Vassal Lane Upper School offers a nurturing environment that supports academic growth and personal development.
The school's MySchoolScout rating stands at 5.8 out of 10, placing it around the 58th percentile among Massachusetts schools. Students perform well in math, with 52% testing proficient or above on average across all grades. ELA/Reading scores are slightly lower but still respectable, with 49% of students meeting proficiency standards.
While Vassal Lane Upper School may have room for academic improvement, the school's small class sizes and dedicated teachers create a supportive learning atmosphere that helps each student reach their full potential. Located in vibrant Cambridge, the school is embedded within a rich community that offers numerous cultural and educational resources to complement its curriculum.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1, Vassal Lane Upper School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction 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: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 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: 1.4/10.
How Vassal Lane Upper School Compares
See how Vassal Lane Upper School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 63% (2019) to 45% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 43% (2022).
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. John M Tobin (rated 9.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cambridgeport (rated 9.1/10, 0.6 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 | 6.5 |
| Community Charter School of Cambridge Cambridge | 0.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Cambridge Street Upper School Cambridge | 0.3 mi | 7.9 |
| King Open Cambridge | 0.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Fletcher/Maynard Academy Cambridge | 0.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Cambridgeport Cambridge | 0.6 mi | 9.1 |
| Capuano Early Childhood Center Somerville | 0.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Prospect Hill Academy Charter School Cambridge | 0.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Albert F. Argenziano School at Lincoln Park Somerville | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| E Somerville Community Somerville | 1.1 mi | 4.6 |
| John M Tobin Cambridge | 0.9 mi | 9.2 |
| 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 | 7.9 |
| Next Wave Junior High Somerville | 1.3 mi | — |
| Full Circle High School Somerville | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Vassal Lane Upper School has a median household income of $120,542. 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 $892,600, with a median rent of $2,752/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.0%. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Remington Middle Franklin, MA | 5.4 |
| Springfield Realization Academy Springfield, MA | 5.3 |
| UP Academy Charter School of Boston South Boston, MA | 5.3 |
| Broad Meadows Middle Quincy, MA | 5.6 |
| Oliver Middle School Lawrence, MA | 5.6 |
| Luther Burbank Middle School Lancaster, MA | 5.2 |
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 is ranked #1233 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Vassal Lane Upper School's MySchoolScout rating?
Vassal Lane Upper School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Vassal Lane Upper School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vassal Lane Upper School has 51.7% math proficiency and 49.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (3,093/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cambridge). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (617) 349-6550
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cambridge- District Enrollment
- 6,915
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $40,666
- District Rank
- #17 of 17
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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