Excellent
#10 of 389 private schools in MA
Top 2% of private schools
Walker School
School
1968 CENTRAL AVE, Needham, MA 02492
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
Enrollment
72
Student-Teacher
4.8:1
Score
8.5
Grades
UG – UG
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Walker School compares to 8 public schools serving similar grades in Needham, MA
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (781) 449-4500
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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