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B+
Schools in Canton · Canton School District

Canton’s public schools outscore 71% of Massachusetts districts

On the state math tests, 53% of Canton’s students scored proficient, above the Massachusetts average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving Canton, 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.

#79of 283 Massachusetts townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Massachusetts state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% 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.

Reading proficiency
54%
▲ 10 pts vs MA 44%
2021–22
Math proficiency
53%
▲ 12 pts vs MA 41%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95%
▲ 6 pts vs MA 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$22.9K
▼ 14% vs MA $26.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.5
MA 11.9 · larger classes
Schools in town
10
3,314 students on the public path
In brief

Canton’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 54% and math 53% in spring 2022, against 44% and 41% statewide; 95% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $22,883 per student, against $26,530 across Massachusetts (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Wm H Galvin Middle, then Canton High. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

St. John the Evangelist School (private), The Judge Rotenberg Center (private) and The Blue Hill Montessori School (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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Canton’s grade

B+ Test scoresB Graduation

B+: better than 71% of Massachusetts school districts, #79 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Massachusetts average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Massachusetts school districts we grade (394)Better than 71%
Lower resultsHigher results
Massachusetts towns with similar household incomes (225)Better than 73%
Towns in Norfolk County (23)Better than 35%
BA−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,720 test results and a graduating class of 222 could put Canton anywhere from B to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Canton’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,717 in math, 1,723 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Canton, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressB+ to A−
6–8Wm H Galvin MiddleCanton School DistrictB
9–12Canton HighCanton School DistrictA

Canton’s public schools are run by Canton 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.

Canton School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 6 schools · 3,314 students, up 5% since 2020–21 · 12.5 per teacher (MA 11.9)
$22,883MA $26,530 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading54%
State average 43.7% · 1723 students tested
Math53%
State average 40.7% · 1717 students tested

Canton vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Massachusetts towns that share Canton’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
CantonB+Canton
NorwoodB−Norwood
DedhamB−Dedham
WestwoodA+Westwood
StoughtonC+Stoughton
SharonASharon

Every school in Canton

10 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).

District schools in Cantonby address
Rodman Early Childhood Center
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
121 students13:1Rate it →
Lt Peter M Hansen
Elementary · Grades K–5
B+
538 students14:1Rate it →
Dean S Luce
Elementary · Grades K–5
A−
509 students13:1Rate it →
John F Kennedy
Elementary · Grades K–5
A−
462 students13:1Rate it →
Wm H Galvin Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
B
716 students11:1Rate it →
Canton High
High · Grades 9–12
A
968 students13:1Rate it →
Other public schools in Cantonrun by other districts or the state
Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical
High · Grades 9–12
B
Career and Technical
910 students11:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. John the Evangelist School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
265 students11:1Rate it →
The Judge Rotenberg Center
Grades 3–12
Private · Special education
130 students5:1Rate it →
The Blue Hill Montessori School
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Private · Nonsectarian
40 students10:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children).

Questions about Canton’s schools

Are Canton’s schools good?

By Massachusetts’s own tests, yes: the public schools Canton children attend outscore 71% of Massachusetts’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #79 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 73%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Canton in?

Canton School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,314 students in 6 schools (2024–25).

Where do Canton kids go to high school?

Canton High, with 968 students; its own test results earn an A.

What is Canton’s graduation rate?

95% of the class of 2023 in Canton School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts.

How much does Canton spend per student?

$22,883 in Canton School District (FY2024), against $26,530 across Massachusetts. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Canton?

Yes: St. John the Evangelist School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 265 students), The Judge Rotenberg Center (special education, grades 3–12, 130 students) and The Blue Hill Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 40 students).

Parents talk

What Canton families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Canton → 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.