For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public elementary schools serving 3,893 students in Waltham, MA.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Waltham, MA are Douglas Macarthur Elementary School, James Fitzgerald Elementary School and John F Kennedy Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Waltham, MA public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the Massachusetts public elementary school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 42% statewide average). Elementary schools in Waltham have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Massachusetts public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Massachusetts public elementary school average of 49% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Waltham, MA (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Douglas Macarthur Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
494 Lincoln Street
Waltham, MA 02451
(781) 314-5721
Waltham, MA 02451
(781) 314-5721
Gr: K-5 | 475 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #22.
James Fitzgerald Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
138 Beal Road
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5685
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5685
Gr: K-5 | 354 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #33.
John F Kennedy Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
655 Lexington St
Waltham, MA 02452
(781) 314-5563
Waltham, MA 02452
(781) 314-5563
Gr: 6-8 | 628 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #44.
William F. Stanley Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
250 South Street
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5620
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5620
Gr: PK-5 | 376 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #55.
Thomas R Plympton Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
20 Farnsworth Street
Waltham, MA 02451
(781) 314-5765
Waltham, MA 02451
(781) 314-5765
Gr: K-5 | 352 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #66.
John W. Mcdevitt Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
75 Church Street
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5595
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5595
Gr: 6-8 | 604 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #77.
Waltham Public Schools Dual Language Program
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
510 Moody Street
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5402
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5402
Gr: K-5 | 218 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #88.
Northeast Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
70 Putney Lane
Waltham, MA 02452
(781) 314-5740
Waltham, MA 02452
(781) 314-5740
Gr: PK-5 | 500 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #99.
Henry Whittemore Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
30 Parmenter Road
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5785
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5785
Gr: K-5 | 386 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Waltham, Massachusetts Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
14 Ash Street
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5665
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5665
Gr: 5-6 | 281 students Minority enrollment: 41%
260 Grove Street
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5645
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 314-5645
Gr: K-5 | 118 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
258 Trapelo Rd
Waltham, MA 02452
(781) 314-5654
Waltham, MA 02452
(781) 314-5654
Gr: PK | 81 students Minority enrollment: 34%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Waltham, MA?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Waltham, MA include Douglas Macarthur Elementary School, James Fitzgerald Elementary School and John F Kennedy Middle School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Waltham?
9 public elementary schools are located in Waltham.
What is the racial composition of students in Waltham?
Waltham public elementary schools minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Massachusetts public elementary schools average of 49% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Waltham are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Waltham include: Waltham Public Schools Dual Language Program vs. William F. Stanley Elementary School, Douglas Macarthur Elementary School vs. Northeast Elementary School, William F. Stanley Elementary School vs. Waltham Public Schools Dual Language Program
Recent Articles
What It Takes to Run a Public School Day-to-Day
Explore what it takes to run a public school daily, from leadership and staffing to budgeting, safety, and student support systems.
Restorative Justice in Schools: What the Data Shows
Explore restorative justice in schools, including discipline data, outcomes, and implementation insights for educators and families.
Year-Round School Calendars: Pros, Cons, Research
Explore year-round school calendars, including benefits, drawbacks, and what academic research says about student outcomes.