Photo: 4300streetcar · CC BY 4.0Somerville’s public schools score below 70% of Massachusetts districts on tests and graduation
34% of students in Somerville’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Massachusetts average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving Somerville, 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 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.
Somerville’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 260 Massachusetts towns with household incomes within a quarter of Somerville’s, its schools beat 17%, lower than their 30% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 43% of tested students were proficient in reading and 34% in math, against 44% and 41% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
86% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $30,512 per student, against $26,530 across Massachusetts (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Eight elementary schools, then one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 9 the district’s path is Somerville High. Enrollment is up 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Theresa School (private) is 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 Somerville’s grade
C: better than 30% of Massachusetts school districts, #214 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Both inputs trail the Massachusetts average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Somerville, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Somerville
Somerville High
Grades 9–12 · 1,394 students · 11:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Somerville
Somerville High
Grades 9–12 · 1,394 students · 11:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Somerville
Somerville High
Grades 9–12 · 1,394 students · 11:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Somerville
Somerville High
Grades 9–12 · 1,394 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Somerville’s public schools are run by Somerville 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.
Close to the state in reading
Somerville vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Massachusetts towns that share Somerville’s borders.
Every school in Somerville
11 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).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Next Wave Junior High).
Questions about Somerville’s schools
Are Somerville’s schools good?
On Massachusetts’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Somerville children attend score below 70% of Massachusetts’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #214 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 17%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Somerville in?
Somerville School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,952 students in 11 schools (2024–25).
Where do Somerville kids go to high school?
Somerville High, with 1,394 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Somerville’s graduation rate?
86% of the class of 2023 in Somerville School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts.
How much does Somerville spend per student?
$30,512 in Somerville School District (FY2024), against $26,530 across Massachusetts. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Somerville?
Yes: St. Theresa School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 153 students).
Parents talk
What Somerville families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Somerville → 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.