Average
#943 of 1,791 schools in MA
Walter J. Paton School
Elementary School · Shrewsbury
58 Grafton Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545
Enrollment
270
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
270
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Shrewsbury
#6 of 9
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#538 of 1,022
In district
#6 of 9
Shrewsbury
Equity
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Walter J. Paton School
Walter J. Paton School serves 270 students in kindergarten through fourth grade in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. This elementary school maintains a favorable 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio with 24 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom.
Academically, Paton School performs well above average, earning a 7.3 out of 10 rating and ranking 309th out of 1,796 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 83rd percentile. The school demonstrates solid academic achievement with 62% of students reaching proficiency or above in mathematics and 52% meeting standards in English Language Arts and reading across all grade levels. The school draws from an affluent and highly educated community where 65% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding neighborhood reflects strong family stability, with a median household income of $127,088 and a low poverty rate of just 3.9%. Median home values of $512,000 indicate a well-established residential area that prioritizes education. Located at 58 Grafton Street, Walter J.
Paton School sits in the heart of Shrewsbury's large suburban setting in Worcester County, serving families in a community of nearly 39,000 residents who value educational excellence and community investment.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Walter J. Paton School — Students at Walter J. Paton School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
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 34 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 Walter J. Paton School Compares
See how Walter J. Paton School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
58 Grafton Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Walter J. Paton School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. AL-HAMRA ACADEMY (rated 8.8/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Boylston Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Boylston), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Major Howard W. Beal School (rated 7.8/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Shrewsbury, see our Shrewsbury schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LILLIPUT EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Shrewsbury | 0.2 mi | — |
| ST MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Shrewsbury | 0.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Sherwood Middle School Shrewsbury | 0.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Spring Street School Shrewsbury | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Oak Middle School Shrewsbury | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| SHREWSBURY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Shrewsbury | 1.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Floral Street School Shrewsbury | 1.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Major Howard W. Beal School Shrewsbury | 1.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Shrewsbury High School Shrewsbury | 1.8 mi | 7.8 |
| AL-HAMRA ACADEMY Shrewsbury | 2.1 mi | 8.8 |
| Parker Road Preschool Shrewsbury | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| SHREWSBURY CHILDREN'S CENTER Shrewsbury | 2.1 mi | — |
| Calvin Coolidge School Shrewsbury | 2.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Boylston Elementary School Boylston | 3.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Lake View Worcester | 2.9 mi | 7.7 |
| North Grafton Elementary North Grafton | 3.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Lincoln Street Worcester | 2.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Robert E. Melican Middle School Northborough | 3.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Lincoln Street Northborough | 3.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Fannie E Proctor Northborough | 3.2 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 01545 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$136,225
Median Home Value
$555,500
Median Rent
$2,046/mo
Population
38,440
College Educated
65.6%
Homeownership
72.1%
Avg Commute
30.4 min
Poverty Rate
3.8%
Median Age
40.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Walter J. Paton School has a median household income of $136,225. It is a well-educated community where 66% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $555,500, with a median rent of $2,046/month. The local poverty rate of 3.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Community North Attleborough, MA | 6.2 |
| Dr Frederick N Sweetsir Merrimac, MA | 6.2 |
| Greenmont Avenue Dracut, MA | 6.2 |
| Heard Street Worcester, MA | 6.2 |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL, INC DBA JCDS BOSTONS Watertown, MA | 6.2 |
| ST MARY OF THE HILLS SCHOOL Milton, MA | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Walter J. Paton School
What grades does Walter J. Paton School serve?
Walter J. Paton School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.
How many students attend Walter J. Paton School?
Walter J. Paton School has an enrollment of approximately 270 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Walter J. Paton School?
The student-teacher ratio at Walter J. Paton School is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Walter J. Paton School rank in MA?
Walter J. Paton School is ranked #943 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Walter J. Paton School's MySchoolScout rating?
Walter J. Paton School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Walter J. Paton School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Walter J. Paton School has 68.8% math proficiency and 64.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Walter J. Paton School a charter school?
No, Walter J. Paton School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Walter J. Paton School a Title I school?
No, Walter J. Paton School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (673/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Shrewsbury). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 4th
- Enrollment
- 270
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Worcester County
- Phone
- (508) 841-8626
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Shrewsbury- District Enrollment
- 5,921
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,868
- District Rank
- #6 of 9
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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