Image of globe and book on table

Boston Public Schools

GreatSchools Rating: 3 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:

26 Court Street
Boston, MA 02108
Suffolk County
Map >

PH: (617) 635-9050
FAX: (617) 635-9059

  • Grades PK-12
  • 55,777 students
  • 136 schools

View all schools in this district >

Compare schools in this district:


 MCAS Results

Scale: % at or above proficient

Grade 3

English Language Arts
 31% (2009)
 29% (2008)
 32% (2007)
 30% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 57% in 2009.

Math
 33% (2009)
 36% (2008)
 36% (2007)
 30% (2006)
The state average for Math was 60% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 4

English Language Arts
 30% (2009)
 25% (2008)
 31% (2007)
 26% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 53% in 2009.

Math
 27% (2009)
 30% (2008)
 27% (2007)
 26% (2006)
The state average for Math was 48% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 5

Science
 18% (2009)
 17% (2008)
 21% (2007)
 19% (2006)
The state average for Science was 49% in 2009.

English Language Arts
 38% (2009)
 37% (2008)
 40% (2007)
 35% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 63% in 2009.

Math
 33% (2009)
 33% (2008)
 33% (2007)
 25% (2006)
The state average for Math was 54% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 6

English Language Arts
 43% (2009)
 43% (2008)
 39% (2007)
 36% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 66% in 2009.

Math
 33% (2009)
 32% (2008)
 29% (2007)
 20% (2006)
The state average for Math was 57% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 7

English Language Arts
 48% (2009)
 48% (2008)
 49% (2007)
The state average for English Language Arts was 70% in 2009.

Math
 28% (2009)
 28% (2008)
 26% (2007)
The state average for Math was 49% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 8

Science
 10% (2009)
 10% (2008)
 8% (2007)
 8% (2006)
The state average for Science was 39% in 2009.

English Language Arts
 59% (2009)
 57% (2008)
 55% (2007)
 54% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 78% in 2009.

Math
 28% (2009)
 34% (2008)
 27% (2007)
 23% (2006)
The state average for Math was 48% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 10

English Language Arts
 64% (2009)
 58% (2008)
 50% (2007)
 51% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 81% in 2009.

Math
 62% (2009)
 59% (2008)
 55% (2007)
 53% (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

Back to top >
 MCAS Results by Subgroup

Scale: % at or above proficient

Grade 3
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students31%
Female35%
Male27%
African American25%
Asian45%
Hispanic25%
White55%
Economically disadvantaged26%
Not economically disadvantaged49%
Students with disabilities10%
Limited English proficient21%

MathThis District
All Students33%
Female34%
Male31%
African American23%
Asian61%
Hispanic27%
White55%
Economically disadvantaged27%
Not economically disadvantaged51%
Students with disabilities13%
Limited English proficient29%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 4
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students30%
Female36%
Male26%
African American25%
Asian51%
Hispanic26%
White49%
Economically disadvantaged25%
Not economically disadvantaged51%
Students with disabilities7%
Limited English proficient15%

MathThis District
All Students27%
Female28%
Male27%
African American21%
Asian59%
Hispanic22%
White46%
Economically disadvantaged23%
Not economically disadvantaged45%
Students with disabilities9%
Limited English proficient18%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 5
ScienceThis District
All Students18%
Female16%
Male21%
African American10%
Asian44%
Hispanic13%
White38%
Economically disadvantaged14%
Not economically disadvantaged37%
Students with disabilities6%
Limited English proficient5%

English Language ArtsThis District
All Students38%
Female42%
Male34%
African American32%
Asian60%
Hispanic31%
White59%
Economically disadvantaged33%
Not economically disadvantaged58%
Students with disabilities11%
Limited English proficient11%

MathThis District
All Students33%
Female33%
Male32%
African American26%
Asian72%
Hispanic26%
White50%
Economically disadvantaged29%
Not economically disadvantaged48%
Students with disabilities9%
Limited English proficient16%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 6
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students43%
Female51%
Male36%
African American37%
Asian66%
Hispanic36%
White65%
Economically disadvantaged38%
Not economically disadvantaged63%
Students with disabilities12%
Limited English proficient11%

MathThis District
All Students33%
Female35%
Male31%
African American21%
Asian74%
Hispanic27%
White57%
Economically disadvantaged29%
Not economically disadvantaged51%
Students with disabilities8%
Limited English proficient15%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 7
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students48%
Female56%
Male39%
African American40%
Asian75%
Hispanic39%
White68%
Economically disadvantaged41%
Not economically disadvantaged66%
Students with disabilities11%
Limited English proficient8%

MathThis District
All Students28%
Female30%
Male25%
African American16%
Asian69%
Hispanic21%
White46%
Economically disadvantaged22%
Not economically disadvantaged43%
Students with disabilities5%
Limited English proficient8%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 8
ScienceThis District
All Students10%
Female9%
Male10%
African American6%
Asian24%
Hispanic6%
White22%
Economically disadvantaged7%
Not economically disadvantaged19%
Students with disabilities2%
Limited English proficient1%

English Language ArtsThis District
All Students59%
Female66%
Male54%
African American51%
Asian80%
Hispanic55%
White82%
Economically disadvantaged55%
Not economically disadvantaged73%
Students with disabilities21%
Limited English proficient14%

MathThis District
All Students28%
Female30%
Male27%
African American16%
Asian72%
Hispanic19%
White52%
Economically disadvantaged22%
Not economically disadvantaged43%
Students with disabilities5%
Limited English proficient10%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 10
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students64%
Female70%
Male58%
African American56%
Asian81%
Hispanic59%
White85%
Economically disadvantaged59%
Not economically disadvantaged74%
Students with disabilities23%
Limited English proficient16%

MathThis District
All Students62%
Female64%
Male60%
African American51%
Asian92%
Hispanic56%
White82%
Economically disadvantaged58%
Not economically disadvantaged70%
Students with disabilities25%
Limited English proficient45%
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
 37% (2009)
 32% (2008)
 28% (2007)
The state average for Biology was 61% in 2009.

Introductory Physics
 24% (2009)
 13% (2008)
 18% (2007)
The state average for Introductory Physics was 57% in 2009.

Chemistry
 1% (2009)
 5% (2008)
 29% (2007)
The state average for Chemistry was 36% in 2009.

Technology/Engineering
 38% (2009)
 41% (2008)
 22% (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 Students37%
Female41%
Male32%
African American23%
Asian66%
Hispanic23%
White71%
Economically disadvantaged26%
Not economically disadvantaged54%
Students with disabilities5%
Limited English proficient13%

Introductory PhysicsThis District
All Students24%
Female23%
Male26%
African American19%
Asian63%
Hispanic21%
White38%
Economically disadvantaged22%
Not economically disadvantaged31%
Students with disabilities6%
Limited English proficient6%

ChemistryThis District
All Students1%
Female2%
Male1%
African American2%
Asiann/a
Hispanic0%
White0%
Economically disadvantaged1%
Not economically disadvantaged2%
Students with disabilities0%
Limited English proficient4%

Technology/EngineeringThis District
All Students38%
Female32%
Male46%
African American25%
Asiann/a
Hispanic44%
White62%
Economically disadvantaged31%
Not economically disadvantaged49%
Students with disabilities16%
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 teacher1313
How Important is Class Size? >
Back to top >
 Students

 
Student Ethnicity
Information about this data
Source: NCES, 2006-2007
EthnicityThis DistrictState Average
Black, not Hispanic41%8%
Hispanic35%13%
White, not Hispanic14%72%
Asian/Pacific Islander9%5%
American Indian/Alaskan Native<1%<1%
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 program73%29%
The Achievement Gap: Is Your School Helping All Students? >
Back to top >
 Spending Per Pupil

 
Spending Per Pupil
Information about this data
 This DistrictState Average
Total per pupil expenditures$20,716$13,413
Breakdown By Expenditure  
Instructional60%64%
Student and staff support17%13%
Administration6%8%
Other expenditures17%16%
Source: NCES, 2006-2007
School Finance: Issues to Consider >
Back to top >
Tips and Advice by Grade Level
Tips and Advice for Your Kindergartener Tips and Advice for Your First-Grader Tips and Advice for Your Second-Grader
Tips and Advice for Your Third-Grader Tips and Advice for Your Fourth-Grader Tips and Advice for Your Fifth-Grader