The top reported proficiency rate is 38% in English language arts. The lowest is 12% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Conservatory Lab Charter (district)
Conservatory Lab Charter (District) is a single-school charter district serving pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Boston. It is a small district by enrollment, with a student body that is predominantly Black and Hispanic, and a much smaller share of white and Asian students. The school is a charter, so it operates independently of the local school committee, and families choose to enroll through the city's school-choice process.
Academically, the district's state test results place it in a specific position relative to other districts in Suffolk County. On a combined proficiency index across tested subjects and grades, the district sits above the midpoint among the county's districts. That said, the individual subject results show a range. In English language arts, roughly two out of every five students scored at the proficient level or above on the state's NextGen MCAS assessment. In math, the share was about three out of ten. Science proficiency was lower, at roughly one in four students. Social studies, tested only in eighth grade, showed a smaller share reaching proficiency. A parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand how the curriculum and instruction align with the state's expectations, particularly in math and science.
The district's chronic absenteeism rate is in the top quartile among Suffolk County's districts, meaning it is lower than most of its peers. That is a positive signal for consistent attendance. Per-pupil spending falls in the middle range, lower half of the county, which is typical for a charter school that operates on a per-pupil funding model from the state.
The district consists of a single school, Conservatory Lab Charter School, which serves pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The school is relocating to a new campus at 12-14 Beach Street in Dorchester as of Fall 2025. For families, this means a change in the physical location where students attend school, affecting commute patterns and the daily school environment. The school's name reflects a focus on music and the arts, though specific program details were not available in the data provided.
Because the district serves only through eighth grade, there is no high school graduation rate to report. The student body is diverse, with a large majority of students identifying as Black or Hispanic. The school is a charter, so enrollment is by application through the city's process, and there is no assigned neighborhood boundary. For a family considering this school, the key factors are the arts-integrated curriculum, the small size of the district, the relocation to Dorchester, and the academic performance profile relative to other Suffolk County districts.
See more original research from School Decision →