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Cambridge School District

GreatSchools Rating: 5 out of 10. GreatSchools Ratings are based on test results. 10 is best.
This district's rating is based on its schools' test results; 10 is best. Learn more >

Learn About This District's:

159 Thorndike Street
Cambridge, MA 02141
Middlesex County
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PH: (617) 349-6494
FAX: (617) 349-6496

  • Grades PK-12
  • 5682 students
  • 13 schools

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 MCAS Results

Scale: % at or above proficient

Grade 3

English Language Arts
 57% (2009)
 57% (2008)
 57% (2007)
 53% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 57% in 2009.

Math
 57% (2009)
 59% (2008)
 50% (2007)
 52% (2006)
The state average for Math was 60% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 4

English Language Arts
 50% (2009)
 38% (2008)
 51% (2007)
 41% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 53% in 2009.

Math
 48% (2009)
 42% (2008)
 43% (2007)
 42% (2006)
The state average for Math was 48% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 5

Science
 34% (2009)
 36% (2008)
 38% (2007)
 32% (2006)
The state average for Science was 49% in 2009.

English Language Arts
 51% (2009)
 54% (2008)
 58% (2007)
 54% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 63% in 2009.

Math
 42% (2009)
 51% (2008)
 45% (2007)
 35% (2006)
The state average for Math was 54% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 6

English Language Arts
 62% (2009)
 62% (2008)
 62% (2007)
 57% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 66% in 2009.

Math
 51% (2009)
 48% (2008)
 49% (2007)
 40% (2006)
The state average for Math was 57% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 7

English Language Arts
 64% (2009)
 65% (2008)
 71% (2007)
The state average for English Language Arts was 70% in 2009.

Math
 41% (2009)
 41% (2008)
 40% (2007)
The state average for Math was 49% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 8

Science
 29% (2009)
 35% (2008)
 24% (2007)
 33% (2006)
The state average for Science was 39% in 2009.

English Language Arts
 78% (2009)
 75% (2008)
 67% (2007)
 68% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 78% in 2009.

Math
 42% (2009)
 42% (2008)
 35% (2007)
 39% (2006)
The state average for Math was 48% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 10

English Language Arts
 70% (2009)
 67% (2008)
 64% (2007)
 63% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 81% in 2009.

Math
 63% (2009)
 72% (2008)
 67% (2007)
 59% (2006)
The state average for Math was 75% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

About the tests

  • In 2008-2009 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5 and 8 in science.
  • The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement.
  • The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts.
  • The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

Testing in Massachusetts: An Overview

See Massachusetts' state standards

Compare all elementary, middle, or high schools in this district

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 MCAS Results by Subgroup

Scale: % at or above proficient

Grade 3
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students57%
Female64%
Male51%
African American37%
Asian67%
Hispanic41%
White77%
Economically disadvantaged39%
Not economically disadvantaged73%
Students with disabilities25%
Limited English proficient32%

MathThis District
All Students57%
Female61%
Male53%
African American38%
Asian68%
Hispanic35%
White78%
Economically disadvantaged40%
Not economically disadvantaged72%
Students with disabilities28%
Limited English proficient39%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 4
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students50%
Female59%
Male43%
African American30%
Asian62%
Hispanic36%
White70%
Economically disadvantaged24%
Not economically disadvantaged71%
Students with disabilities16%
Limited English proficient6%

MathThis District
All Students48%
Female56%
Male40%
African American28%
Asian70%
Hispanic33%
White62%
Economically disadvantaged27%
Not economically disadvantaged64%
Students with disabilities12%
Limited English proficient18%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 5
ScienceThis District
All Students34%
Female36%
Male32%
African American14%
Asian53%
Hispanic22%
White57%
Economically disadvantaged13%
Not economically disadvantaged54%
Students with disabilities8%

English Language ArtsThis District
All Students51%
Female58%
Male45%
African American30%
Asian77%
Hispanic32%
White74%
Economically disadvantaged31%
Not economically disadvantaged70%
Students with disabilities19%

MathThis District
All Students42%
Female45%
Male41%
African American26%
Asian73%
Hispanic30%
White60%
Economically disadvantaged25%
Not economically disadvantaged59%
Students with disabilities11%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 6
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students62%
Female63%
Male62%
African American48%
Asian75%
Hispanic55%
White77%
Economically disadvantaged48%
Not economically disadvantaged76%
Students with disabilities25%
Limited English proficient9%

MathThis District
All Students51%
Female48%
Male55%
African American34%
Asian77%
Hispanic27%
White71%
Economically disadvantaged33%
Not economically disadvantaged67%
Students with disabilities17%
Limited English proficient9%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 7
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students64%
Female73%
Male56%
African American44%
Asian79%
Hispanic67%
White79%
Economically disadvantaged47%
Not economically disadvantaged79%
Students with disabilities27%
Limited English proficient7%

MathThis District
All Students41%
Female46%
Male36%
African American18%
Asian68%
Hispanic27%
White62%
Economically disadvantaged23%
Not economically disadvantaged55%
Students with disabilities13%
Limited English proficient7%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 8
ScienceThis District
All Students29%
Female30%
Male29%
African American9%
Asian44%
Hispanic33%
White49%
Economically disadvantaged16%
Not economically disadvantaged42%
Students with disabilities8%

English Language ArtsThis District
All Students78%
Female86%
Male69%
African American67%
Asian89%
Hispanic71%
White90%
Economically disadvantaged70%
Not economically disadvantaged85%
Students with disabilities46%

MathThis District
All Students42%
Female44%
Male39%
African American21%
Asian64%
Hispanic34%
White64%
Economically disadvantaged21%
Not economically disadvantaged62%
Students with disabilities12%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 10
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students70%
Female74%
Male65%
African American56%
Asian73%
Hispanic71%
White85%
Economically disadvantaged60%
Not economically disadvantaged75%
Students with disabilities23%
Limited English proficient20%

MathThis District
All Students63%
Female61%
Male65%
African American52%
Asian82%
Hispanic52%
White75%
Economically disadvantaged54%
Not economically disadvantaged68%
Students with disabilities30%
Limited English proficient33%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

About the tests

  • In 2008-2009 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5 and 8 in science.
  • The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement.
  • The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts.
  • The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.
  • The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

Testing in Massachusetts: An Overview

See Massachusetts' state standards

Compare all elementary, middle, or high schools in this district

Back to top >
 MCAS STE Results

Scale: % at or above proficient

Biology
 17% (2009)
 11% (2008)
 0% (2007)
The state average for Biology was 61% in 2009.

Introductory Physics
 58% (2009)
 45% (2008)
 41% (2007)
The state average for Introductory Physics was 57% in 2009.

Chemistry
 11% (2009)
 22% (2008)
 13% (2007)
The state average for Chemistry was 36% in 2009.

Technology/Engineering
Data not available for this district (2009)
Data not available for this district (2008)
Data not available for this district (2007)
The state average for Technology/Engineering was 53% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

About the tests

  • In 2008-2009 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System Science and Technology/Engineering Tests (MCAS STE) to test students in high school in biology, chemistry, introductory physics and technology/engineering.
  • Beginning with the class of 2010, the MCAS STE will be a high school graduation requirement.
  • The MCAS STE is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts.
  • The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

Testing in Massachusetts: An Overview

See Massachusetts' state standards

Back to top >
 MCAS STE Results by Subgroup

Scale: % at or above proficient


BiologyThis District
All Students17%
Female24%
Male14%
African American9%
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
White27%
Economically disadvantaged7%
Not economically disadvantaged22%
Students with disabilities11%

Introductory PhysicsThis District
All Students58%
Female58%
Male58%
African American37%
Asian88%
Hispanic40%
White79%
Economically disadvantaged39%
Not economically disadvantaged74%
Students with disabilities17%
Limited English proficient20%

ChemistryThis District
All Students11%
Female8%
Male13%
African American0%
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
White38%
Economically disadvantaged0%
Not economically disadvantaged21%
Students with disabilities0%

Technology/EngineeringThis District
Subgroup results not available
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

About the tests

  • In 2008-2009 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System Science and Technology/Engineering Tests (MCAS STE) to test students in high school in biology, chemistry, introductory physics and technology/engineering.
  • Beginning with the class of 2010, the MCAS STE will be a high school graduation requirement.
  • The MCAS STE is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts.
  • The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.
  • The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

Testing in Massachusetts: An Overview

See Massachusetts' state standards

Back to top >
 Teachers

 
Student-Teacher Ratio
Information about this data
Source: NCES, 2006-2007
 This DistrictState Average
Students per FTE teacher913
How Important is Class Size? >
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 Students

 
Student Ethnicity
Information about this data
Source: NCES, 2006-2007
EthnicityThis DistrictState Average
Black, not Hispanic36%8%
White, not Hispanic36%72%
Hispanic15%13%
Asian/Pacific Islander11%5%
American Indian/Alaskan Native<1%<1%
Unspecified1%n/a
How Important is Cultural Diversity at Your School? >
Student Economic Level
Information about this data
Source: NCES, 2006-2007
 This DistrictState Average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program43%29%
The Achievement Gap: Is Your School Helping All Students? >
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 Spending Per Pupil

 
Spending Per Pupil
Information about this data
 This DistrictState Average
Total per pupil expenditures$28,827$13,413
Breakdown By Expenditure  
Instructional60%64%
Student and staff support17%13%
Administration8%8%
Other expenditures15%16%
Source: NCES, 2006-2007
School Finance: Issues to Consider >
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Tips and Advice by Grade Level
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