For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public elementary schools serving 3,937 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 42%), 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 65% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Massachusetts public elementary school average of 50% (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: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
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 | 350 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
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 | 635 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
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 | 381 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
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) 314-5760
Waltham, MA 02451
(781) 314-5760
Gr: K-5 | 357 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
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 | 618 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #77.
Dual Language School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
617 Lexington St
Waltham, MA 02452
(781) 314-5402
Waltham, MA 02452
(781) 314-5402
Gr: K-5 | 222 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
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 | 527 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
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 | 372 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
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 65% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Massachusetts public elementary schools average of 50% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Waltham are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Waltham include: Douglas Macarthur Elementary School vs. Northeast Elementary School, Henry Whittemore Elementary School vs. James Fitzgerald Elementary School, James Fitzgerald Elementary School vs. Northeast Elementary School
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