Skip to main content

Excellent

#10 of 389 private schools in MA

Top 2% of private schools

Walker School

School

1968 CENTRAL AVE, Needham, MA 02492

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 8 schools in Needham. Learn more

Enrollment

72

Student-Teacher

4.8:1

Score

8.5

Grades

UG – UG

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Needham

#1 of 2

public schools

Massachusetts schools

#3 of 80

Academic performance

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Walker School

Walker School is a regular public school located in the large suburban community of Needham, Massachusetts. Serving only undergraduate students, Walker School has an enrollment of 72 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 4.8:1 with 15 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite not having specific test score data available, the school’s MySchoolScout rating stands at 6.9 out of 10, placing it in the 36th percentile among Massachusetts schools.

Its academic performance is also reflected in an 8.9/10 score, indicating a focus on student development and supportive learning environments. Located in a bustling suburban area, Walker School benefits from the vibrant community around it, providing students with a rich array of extracurricular opportunities and neighborhood resources.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 72 students, Walker School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 4.8:1, Walker 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.

As a private school, Walker School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Walker School compares to 8 public schools serving similar grades in Needham, MA

Student-Teacher Ratio
4.8:1
This School
vs
12.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
72
This School
vs
693
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.5
This School
vs
8.4
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 38.9% vs 0%
Black 23.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 20.8% vs 0%
Asian 1.4% vs 0%
Walker School Needham Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Walker School (this school) 8.5
High Rock School 8.6
Newman Elementary 9.0
Pollard Middle 8.5
Needham High 9.0
Sunita L. Williams Elementary 7.0
William Mitchell 8.5
Broadmeadow 7.5
John Eliot 8.7

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 9.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 4.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,404
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A+ 9.9 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 73%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.2 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 72
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in MA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 38.9%
Black 23.6%
Hispanic 20.8%
Two or More 15.3%
Asian 1.4%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1968 CENTRAL AVE, Needham, MA 02492

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Walker School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Wellesley Middle (rated 9.3/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Wellesley), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Newman Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Needham High (rated 9.0/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Needham, see our Needham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Chickering Dover 0.6 mi 6.8
CHARLES RIVER SCHOOL Dover 1.2 mi 7.0
Newman Elementary Needham 1.7 mi 9.0
High Rock School Needham 1.7 mi 8.6
TENACRE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Wellesley 2.1 mi 7.7
DANA HALL SCHOOL Wellesley 2.5 mi 6.6
Hunnewell Wellesley 2.7 mi 8.1
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Needham 2.4 mi 4.7
Wellesley Sr High Wellesley 3.0 mi 8.9
Sunita L. Williams Elementary Needham 3.0 mi 7.0
Pollard Middle Needham 2.5 mi 8.5
Needham High Needham 2.7 mi 9.0
RIVERBEND SCHOOL Natick 2.6 mi 6.8
Wellesley Middle Wellesley 3.2 mi 9.3
MONTESSORI DAY SCHOOL OF WELLESLEY HILLS Wellesley Hls 3.4 mi
Sprague Elementary School Wellesley 3.4 mi 8.3
John Eliot Needham 3.5 mi 8.7
William Mitchell Needham 3.1 mi 8.5
Memorial Natick 2.9 mi 6.6
Joseph E Fiske Wellesley 3.8 mi 8.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02492 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$222,063

Median Home Value

$1,177,300

Median Rent

$2,256/mo

Population

21,481

College Educated

84.1%

Homeownership

90.7%

Avg Commute

29.2 min

Poverty Rate

4.2%

Median Age

42.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Walker School has a median household income of $222,063. It is a well-educated community where 84% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,177,300, with a median rent of $2,256/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% is relatively low. 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
MANVILLE SCHOOL Roxbury Crossing, MA 8.3
CENTER SCHOOL Holyoke, MA 8.2
BOSTON HIGASHI SCHOOL Randolph, MA 8.0
CENTER FOR APPLIED BEHAVIORAL INSTRUCTION SCHOOL Worcester, MA 7.9
EVERGREEN CENTER Milford, MA 7.9
KENNEDY DAY SCHOOL Brighton, MA 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Walker School

What grades does Walker School serve?

Walker School serves students in grades UG through UG.

How many students attend Walker School?

Walker School has an enrollment of approximately 72 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Walker School?

The student-teacher ratio at Walker School is 4.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Walker School rank in MA?

Walker School is ranked #10 out of 389 private schools in MA.

What is Walker School's MySchoolScout rating?

Walker School has a composite rating of 8.5 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.

Is Walker School a private school?

Yes, Walker School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Walker School a religious school?

No, Walker School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (702/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Needham). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
UG – UG
Enrollment
72
Gender Split
75% M / 25% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
4.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6.5 hours
Days Per Year
216 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
NORFOLK
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

Related 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.