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Somerville School District

GreatSchools Rating: 4 out of 10. GreatSchools Ratings are based on test results. 10 is best.
This district's rating is based on its schools' test results; 10 is best. Learn more >

Learn About This District's:

181 Washington Street
Somerville, MA 02143
Middlesex County
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PH: (617) 625-6600
FAX: (617) 591-7902

  • Grades PK-12
  • 4890 students
  • 11 schools

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 MCAS Results

Scale: % at or above proficient

Grade 3

English Language Arts
 48% (2009)
 43% (2008)
 45% (2007)
 52% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 57% in 2009.

Math
 50% (2009)
 51% (2008)
 51% (2007)
 52% (2006)
The state average for Math was 60% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 4

English Language Arts
 32% (2009)
 31% (2008)
 38% (2007)
 30% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 53% in 2009.

Math
 37% (2009)
 38% (2008)
 40% (2007)
 27% (2006)
The state average for Math was 48% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 5

Science
 30% (2009)
 33% (2008)
 26% (2007)
 27% (2006)
The state average for Science was 49% in 2009.

English Language Arts
 43% (2009)
 43% (2008)
 47% (2007)
 47% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 63% in 2009.

Math
 40% (2009)
 44% (2008)
 33% (2007)
 33% (2006)
The state average for Math was 54% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 6

English Language Arts
 52% (2009)
 45% (2008)
 53% (2007)
 47% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 66% in 2009.

Math
 48% (2009)
 36% (2008)
 35% (2007)
 28% (2006)
The state average for Math was 57% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 7

English Language Arts
 47% (2009)
 54% (2008)
 56% (2007)
The state average for English Language Arts was 70% in 2009.

Math
 23% (2009)
 26% (2008)
 28% (2007)
The state average for Math was 49% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 8

Science
 24% (2009)
 23% (2008)
 20% (2007)
 18% (2006)
The state average for Science was 39% in 2009.

English Language Arts
 64% (2009)
 68% (2008)
 66% (2007)
 71% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 78% in 2009.

Math
 31% (2009)
 36% (2008)
 33% (2007)
 29% (2006)
The state average for Math was 48% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 10

English Language Arts
 70% (2009)
 65% (2008)
 52% (2007)
 54% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 81% in 2009.

Math
 60% (2009)
 57% (2008)
 54% (2007)
 53% (2006)
The state average for Math was 75% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

About the tests

  • In 2008-2009 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5 and 8 in science.
  • The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement.
  • The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts.
  • The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

Testing in Massachusetts: An Overview

See Massachusetts' state standards

Compare all elementary, middle, or high schools in this district

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 MCAS Results by Subgroup

Scale: % at or above proficient

Grade 3
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students48%
Female50%
Male44%
African American34%
Asian53%
Hispanic37%
White60%
Economically disadvantaged40%
Not economically disadvantaged64%
Students with disabilities17%
Limited English proficient20%

MathThis District
All Students50%
Female50%
Male49%
African American29%
Asian74%
Hispanic40%
White60%
Economically disadvantaged42%
Not economically disadvantaged68%
Students with disabilities23%
Limited English proficient30%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 4
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students32%
Female36%
Male29%
African American10%
Asian47%
Hispanic22%
White43%
Economically disadvantaged21%
Not economically disadvantaged51%
Students with disabilities7%
Limited English proficient7%

MathThis District
All Students37%
Female34%
Male40%
African American15%
Asian59%
Hispanic23%
White50%
Economically disadvantaged26%
Not economically disadvantaged56%
Students with disabilities7%
Limited English proficient11%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 5
ScienceThis District
All Students30%
Female28%
Male32%
African American14%
Asian53%
Hispanic17%
White40%
Economically disadvantaged23%
Not economically disadvantaged46%
Students with disabilities13%
Limited English proficient0%

English Language ArtsThis District
All Students43%
Female54%
Male32%
African American26%
Asian67%
Hispanic26%
White58%
Economically disadvantaged38%
Not economically disadvantaged55%
Students with disabilities14%
Limited English proficient4%

MathThis District
All Students40%
Female42%
Male38%
African American31%
Asian67%
Hispanic23%
White51%
Economically disadvantaged32%
Not economically disadvantaged56%
Students with disabilities11%
Limited English proficient0%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 6
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students52%
Female57%
Male47%
African American27%
Asian60%
Hispanic47%
White64%
Economically disadvantaged45%
Not economically disadvantaged67%
Students with disabilities23%
Limited English proficient10%

MathThis District
All Students48%
Female48%
Male48%
African American22%
Asian57%
Hispanic42%
White63%
Economically disadvantaged41%
Not economically disadvantaged66%
Students with disabilities23%
Limited English proficient10%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 7
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students47%
Female56%
Male37%
African American25%
Asian67%
Hispanic41%
White60%
Economically disadvantaged42%
Not economically disadvantaged56%
Students with disabilities8%
Limited English proficient10%

MathThis District
All Students23%
Female28%
Male18%
African American8%
Asian47%
Hispanic14%
White35%
Economically disadvantaged17%
Not economically disadvantaged37%
Students with disabilities1%
Limited English proficient0%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 8
ScienceThis District
All Students24%
Female23%
Male25%
African American8%
Asian52%
Hispanic16%
White31%
Economically disadvantaged19%
Not economically disadvantaged33%
Students with disabilities9%
Limited English proficient6%

English Language ArtsThis District
All Students64%
Female68%
Male60%
African American51%
Asian82%
Hispanic58%
White72%
Economically disadvantaged58%
Not economically disadvantaged81%
Students with disabilities28%
Limited English proficient18%

MathThis District
All Students31%
Female31%
Male32%
African American13%
Asian54%
Hispanic24%
White39%
Economically disadvantaged25%
Not economically disadvantaged47%
Students with disabilities6%
Limited English proficient3%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 10
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students70%
Female73%
Male67%
African American54%
Asian79%
Hispanic62%
White78%
Economically disadvantaged64%
Not economically disadvantaged80%
Students with disabilities40%
Limited English proficient5%

MathThis District
All Students60%
Female55%
Male65%
African American38%
Asian69%
Hispanic54%
White70%
Economically disadvantaged55%
Not economically disadvantaged68%
Students with disabilities30%
Limited English proficient8%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

About the tests

  • In 2008-2009 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5 and 8 in science.
  • The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement.
  • The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts.
  • The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.
  • The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

Testing in Massachusetts: An Overview

See Massachusetts' state standards

Compare all elementary, middle, or high schools in this district

Back to top >
 MCAS STE Results

Scale: % at or above proficient

Biology
 49% (2009)
 33% (2008)
 26% (2007)
The state average for Biology was 61% in 2009.

Introductory Physics
 25% (2009)
 44% (2008)
Data not available for this district (2007)
The state average for Introductory Physics was 57% in 2009.

Chemistry
 0% (2009)
 20% (2008)
 11% (2007)
The state average for Chemistry was 36% in 2009.

Technology/Engineering
Data not available for this district (2009)
Data not available for this district (2008)
Data not available for this district (2007)
The state average for Technology/Engineering was 53% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

About the tests

  • In 2008-2009 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System Science and Technology/Engineering Tests (MCAS STE) to test students in high school in biology, chemistry, introductory physics and technology/engineering.
  • Beginning with the class of 2010, the MCAS STE will be a high school graduation requirement.
  • The MCAS STE is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts.
  • The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

Testing in Massachusetts: An Overview

See Massachusetts' state standards

Back to top >
 MCAS STE Results by Subgroup

Scale: % at or above proficient


BiologyThis District
All Students49%
Female51%
Male46%
African American40%
Asian69%
Hispanic35%
White57%
Economically disadvantaged43%
Not economically disadvantaged58%
Students with disabilities16%
Limited English proficient16%

Introductory PhysicsThis District
All Students25%
Female14%
Male29%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic6%
White40%
Economically disadvantaged20%
Not economically disadvantaged36%

ChemistryThis District
All Students0%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged0%

Technology/EngineeringThis District
Subgroup results not available
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

About the tests

  • In 2008-2009 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System Science and Technology/Engineering Tests (MCAS STE) to test students in high school in biology, chemistry, introductory physics and technology/engineering.
  • Beginning with the class of 2010, the MCAS STE will be a high school graduation requirement.
  • The MCAS STE is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts.
  • The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.
  • The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

Testing in Massachusetts: An Overview

See Massachusetts' state standards

Back to top >
 Teachers

 
Student-Teacher Ratio
Information about this data
Source: NCES, 2007-2008
 This DistrictState Average
Students per FTE teacher1214
How Important is Class Size? >
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 Students

 
Student Ethnicity
Information about this data
Source: NCES, 2007-2008
EthnicityThis DistrictState Average
White, not Hispanic41%71%
Hispanic34%14%
Black, not Hispanic15%8%
Asian/Pacific Islander9%5%
American Indian/Alaskan Native<1%<1%
How Important is Cultural Diversity at Your School? >
Student Economic Level
Information about this data
Source: NCES, 2007-2008
 This DistrictState Average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program65%29%
The Achievement Gap: Is Your School Helping All Students? >
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 Spending Per Pupil

 
Spending Per Pupil
Information about this data
 This DistrictState Average
Total per pupil expenditures$18,135$13,413
Breakdown By Expenditure  
Instructional59%64%
Student and staff support15%13%
Administration8%8%
Other expenditures18%16%
Source: NCES, 2006-2007
School Finance: Issues to Consider >
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