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GreatSchools Rating

Bigelow Middle School

Public | 6-8 & ungraded | 523 students

Community Rating

5 stars


Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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2 reviews of this school


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Posted May 22, 2009

I chose Bigelow Middle School based on reputation. I believe it no longer lives up to it. The standards were shockingly low, the principal leadership uninvolved, the teacher's aides poor and the teachers barely able to maintain discipline in the classroom. My daughter felt unsafe at times and no matter how much challenge work she asked for - it was given in a half-hearted way. The majority of the students were focused only on the social aspects and the school rarely demanded that they be otherwise.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 2, 2005

BMS promotes high standards for the students, in academics and character development. The chore values are Respect, Responsibility and Love of Learning. Staff really care about the students. Parents are very involved in supporting academic programs and special programs such as visiting authors. There are a wide variety of extra curricular activities, including sports for all seasons, drama, music, poetry, games, etc. BMS is also a Vanguard model school. It is a very supportive environment. The Pupil Services staff do an outstanding job.
—Submitted by a teacher


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 68% in 2011.

161 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
85%

2010

 
 
89%

2009

 
 
84%

2008

 
 
86%
Math

The state average for Math was 58% in 2011.

161 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
76%

2010

 
 
81%

2009

 
 
78%

2008

 
 
76%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 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, 8, and 10 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.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 73% in 2011.

173 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
93%

2010

 
 
92%

2009

 
 
85%

2008

 
 
86%
Math

The state average for Math was 51% in 2011.

173 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
77%

2010

 
 
80%

2009

 
 
71%

2008

 
 
73%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 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, 8, and 10 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.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 79% in 2011.

171 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
89%

2008

 
 
89%
Math

The state average for Math was 52% in 2011.

169 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
80%

2010

 
 
80%

2009

 
 
78%

2008

 
 
78%
Science

The state average for Science was 39% in 2011.

170 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
57%

2010

 
 
62%

2009

 
 
56%

2008

 
 
65%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 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, 8, and 10 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.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

All Students85%
Female91%
Male76%
African American58%
Asian94%
Hispanic78%
Multiracial72%
White90%
Economically disadvantaged66%
Not economically disadvantaged89%
Students with disabilities49%
English language learnersn/a

Math

All Students76%
Female77%
Male74%
African American41%
Asian88%
Hispanic78%
Multiracial78%
White77%
Economically disadvantaged49%
Not economically disadvantaged82%
Students with disabilities34%
English language learnersn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 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, 8, and 10 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.

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.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

All Students93%
Female93%
Male93%
African American70%
Asian100%
Hispanic83%
Multiracial88%
White97%
Economically disadvantaged79%
Not economically disadvantaged96%
Students with disabilities76%
English language learnersn/a

Math

All Students77%
Female73%
Male81%
African American38%
Asian93%
Hispanic72%
Multiracial71%
White80%
Economically disadvantaged50%
Not economically disadvantaged82%
Students with disabilities41%
English language learnersn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 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, 8, and 10 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.

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.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

All Students92%
Female98%
Male88%
African American83%
Asian95%
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
White96%
Economically disadvantaged76%
Not economically disadvantaged95%
Students with disabilities68%
English language learnersn/a

Math

All Students80%
Female82%
Male78%
African American41%
Asian95%
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
White85%
Economically disadvantaged35%
Not economically disadvantaged86%
Students with disabilities39%
English language learnersn/a

Science

All Students57%
Female51%
Male62%
African American17%
Asian48%
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
White65%
Economically disadvantaged20%
Not economically disadvantaged62%
Students with disabilities21%
English language learnersn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 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, 8, and 10 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.

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.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 72% 70%
Two or more races 10% 2%
Asian 6% 5%
Black 6% 8%
Hispanic 5% 14%
American Indian/Alaska Native 1% 0%
Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander N/A 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students participating in free or reduced-price lunch program 10%N/A31%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 12N/A14
Source: NCES, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

42 Vernon St
Newton, MA 02458
Website: Click here
Phone: (617) 559-6800

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