Photo: Tim Pierce · CC BY 3.0Arlington’s public schools outscore 92% of Massachusetts districts
In Arlington, 69% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Massachusetts average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving Arlington, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Massachusetts, not nationally.
From Massachusetts state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Arlington’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 70% and math 69% in spring 2022, against 44% and 41% statewide; 96% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $22,282 per student, against $26,530 across Massachusetts (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Seven elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Ottoson Middle, then Arlington High. Enrollment is up 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Arlington Catholic High School/Saint Agnes School (private), St. Agnes School (private), Lesley Ellis School (private), New Covenant School (private) and CNS/Pathways Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Arlington’s grade
A: better than 92% of Massachusetts school districts, #20 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Massachusetts average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Arlington, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Arlington
Gibbs School
Grades 6 · 529 students · 12:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Arlington
Ottoson Middle
Grades 7–8 · 963 students · 11:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Arlington
Ottoson Middle
Grades 7–8 · 963 students · 11:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Arlington
Arlington High
Grades 9–12 · 1,677 students · 14:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Arlington
Arlington High
Grades 9–12 · 1,677 students · 14:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Arlington
Arlington High
Grades 9–12 · 1,677 students · 14:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Arlington
Arlington High
Grades 9–12 · 1,677 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Arlington’s public schools are run by Arlington School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Arlington vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Massachusetts towns that share Arlington’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington | A | Arlington |
| Belmont | A+ | Belmont |
| Medford | C+ | Medford |
| Cambridge | B | Cambridge |
| Somerville | C | Somerville |
| Lexington | A+ | Lexington |
| Winchester | A | Winchester |
Every school in Arlington
16 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Massachusetts’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Arlington’s schools
Are Arlington’s schools good?
By Massachusetts’s own tests, yes: the public schools Arlington children attend outscore 92% of Massachusetts’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #20 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 94%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Arlington in?
Arlington School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 6,113 students in 11 schools (2024–25).
Where do Arlington kids go to high school?
Arlington High, with 1,677 students; its own test results earn an A+.
What is Arlington’s graduation rate?
96% of the class of 2023 in Arlington School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts.
How much does Arlington spend per student?
$22,282 in Arlington School District (FY2024), against $26,530 across Massachusetts. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Arlington?
Yes: Arlington Catholic High School/Saint Agnes School (Catholic, grades PK–12, 911 students), St. Agnes School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 337 students), Lesley Ellis School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 200 students), New Covenant School (religious, grades PK–5, 91 students) and CNS/Pathways Academy (special education, grades 5–12, 29 students).
Parents talk
What Arlington families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Arlington → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Massachusetts. Stars are from neighbors.