For the 2026 school year, there are 54 public preschools serving 20,561 students in Essex County, MA.
The top-ranked public preschools in Essex County, MA are Manchester Memorial Elementary School, Steward Elementary School and Winthrop School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Essex County, MA public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the Massachusetts public pre school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 37% statewide average). Pre schools in Essex County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Massachusetts public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Massachusetts public preschool average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Essex County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Manchester Memorial Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
43 Lincoln Street
Manchester, MA 01944
(978) 526-1908
Manchester, MA 01944
(978) 526-1908
Gr: PK-5 | 304 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #22.
Steward Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
261 Perkins Row
Topsfield, MA 01983
(978) 887-1538
Topsfield, MA 01983
(978) 887-1538
Gr: PK-3 | 347 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #33.
Winthrop School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
325 Bay Rd
South Hamilton, MA 01982
(978) 468-5340
South Hamilton, MA 01982
(978) 468-5340
Gr: PK-5 | 329 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #44.
Newbury Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
63 Hanover Street
Newbury, MA 01951
(978) 465-5353
Newbury, MA 01951
(978) 465-5353
Gr: PK-6 | 424 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Francis T Bresnahan Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
333 High Street
Newburyport, MA 01950
(978) 465-4431
Newburyport, MA 01950
(978) 465-4431
Gr: PK-3 | 584 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Lucretia And Joseph Brown School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
40 Baldwin Road
Marblehead, MA 01945
(781) 629-3112
Marblehead, MA 01945
(781) 629-3112
Gr: PK-3 | 445 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Dr John C Page School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
694 Main Street
West Newbury, MA 01985
(978) 363-2671
West Newbury, MA 01985
(978) 363-2671
Gr: PK-6 | 327 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Glover
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
9 Maple Street
Marblehead, MA 01945
(781) 639-3190
Marblehead, MA 01945
(781) 639-3190
Gr: PK-3 | 318 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #99.
Shay Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
193r Lions Mouth Road
Amesbury, MA 01913
(978) 388-3659
Amesbury, MA 01913
(978) 388-3659
Gr: PK-2 | 485 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1010.
Elmer S Bagnall
(Math: 56% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
253 School Street
Groveland, MA 01834
(978) 372-8856
Groveland, MA 01834
(978) 372-8856
Gr: PK-6 | 519 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1111.
Pine Grove
(Math: 55% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
191 Main Street
Rowley, MA 01969
(978) 948-2520
Rowley, MA 01969
(978) 948-2520
Gr: PK-6 | 429 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1212.
Paul F Doyon Memorial
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
216 Linebrook Rd
Ipswich, MA 01938
(978) 356-5506
Ipswich, MA 01938
(978) 356-5506
Gr: PK-5 | 366 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1313.
Johnson
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
290 Castle Road
Nahant, MA 01908
(781) 581-1600
Nahant, MA 01908
(781) 581-1600
Gr: PK-6 | 163 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1414.
Winthrop
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
65 Central Street
Ipswich, MA 01938
(978) 356-2976
Ipswich, MA 01938
(978) 356-2976
Gr: PK-5 | 373 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1515.
Community Day Charter Public School
Charter School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
73 Prospect Street
Lawrence, MA 01841
(978) 681-9910
Lawrence, MA 01841
(978) 681-9910
Gr: PK-8 | 1,200 student Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1616.
West Memorial
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
15 Bow Street
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-5850
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-5850
Gr: PK-5 | 294 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1717.
South Memorial
(Math: 39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
16 Maple St Ext
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-5700
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-5700
Gr: PK-5 | 506 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Riverside
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
95 Liberty Street
Danvers, MA 01923
(978) 774-5010
Danvers, MA 01923
(978) 774-5010
Gr: PK-5 | 350 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Rockport Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
34 Jerdens Lane
Rockport, MA 01966
(978) 546-1220
Rockport, MA 01966
(978) 546-1220
Gr: PK-5 | 264 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #2020.
Veterans Early Learning Center
(Math: 26% | Reading: 46% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
39 Hurd Avenue
Saugus, MA 01906
(781) 231-8166
Saugus, MA 01906
(781) 231-8166
Gr: PK-1 | 501 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #2121.
Sewell-anderson
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
25 Ontario Street
Lynn, MA 01905
(781) 477-7444
Lynn, MA 01905
(781) 477-7444
Gr: PK-5 | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Bates
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
53 Liberty Hill Avenue
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1250
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1250
Gr: PK-5 | 410 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Capt William G Shoemaker
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
26 Regina Rd
Lynn, MA 01904
(781) 477-7450
Lynn, MA 01904
(781) 477-7450
Gr: PK-5 | 361 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #2424.
Salisbury Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
100 Lafayette Rd.
Salisbury, MA 01952
(978) 463-5852
Salisbury, MA 01952
(978) 463-5852
Gr: PK-6 | 386 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #2525.
Center
(Math: 31% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
18 Irving Street
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-5475
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-5475
Gr: PK | 123 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #2626.
Lawrence Family Development Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
34 West Street
Lawrence, MA 01841
(978) 689-9863
Lawrence, MA 01841
(978) 689-9863
Gr: PK-8 | 899 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Rank: #2727.
Lynn Vocational Technical Institute
Vocational School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
80 Neptune Blvd
Lynn, MA 01902
(781) 477-7431
Lynn, MA 01902
(781) 477-7431
Gr: PK-12 | 1,584 student Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #2828.
Edward A Sisson
(Math: 22% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
58 Conomo Avenue
Lynn, MA 01904
(781) 477-7455
Lynn, MA 01904
(781) 477-7455
Gr: PK-5 | 449 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #2929.
Thomas Carroll
(Math: 28% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
60 Northend Street
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-4200
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-4200
Gr: PK-5 | 645 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #3030.
Julia F Callahan
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
200 O'callaghan Way
Lynn, MA 01905
(781) 477-7340
Lynn, MA 01905
(781) 477-7340
Gr: PK-5 | 373 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #3131.
Early Childhood Center
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
100 Bennet Street
Lynn, MA 01905
(781) 477-7220
Lynn, MA 01905
(781) 477-7220
Gr: PK | 135 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #3232.
Horace Mann Laboratory
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
79 Willson Street
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1290
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1290
Gr: PK-5 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #3333.
Bentley Academy Innovation School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
25 Memorial Drive
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1260
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-1260
Gr: PK-5 | 286 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #3434.
Cobbet Elementary School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 13%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
40 Franklin Street
Lynn, MA 01902
(781) 477-7341
Lynn, MA 01902
(781) 477-7341
Gr: PK-5 | 616 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #3535.
E J Harrington
(Math: 10% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
21 Dexter Street
Lynn, MA 01902
(781) 477-7380
Lynn, MA 01902
(781) 477-7380
Gr: PK-5 | 687 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Essex County, MA?
The top-ranked public preschools in Essex County, MA include Manchester Memorial Elementary School, Steward Elementary School and Winthrop School.
How many public preschools are located in Essex County?
54 public preschools are located in Essex County.
What is the racial composition of students in Essex County?
Essex County public preschools minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Massachusetts public preschools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Essex County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Essex County include: Paul F Doyon Memorial vs. Winthrop, Winthrop vs. Paul F Doyon Memorial, Dr John C Page School vs. Elmer S Bagnall
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