The top reported proficiency rate is 62% in English language arts. The lowest is 58% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Roger E Wellington
Roger E Wellington is a public elementary school in Belmont, Massachusetts, serving children from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. It is one of four elementary schools in the Belmont district, spread across different neighborhoods of this compact, primarily residential suburb of Boston. Belmont, known as “The Town of Homes,” has three small commercial centers, a high median household income, and very high housing values. The town has seen modest population growth in recent years, and its schools are distributed rather than clustered on a single campus. For families considering this school, the cost of living in Belmont is a significant factor.
Wellington’s student body is racially and ethnically diverse. A majority of students are white, and the school has a substantial Asian enrollment, with smaller shares of Black, Hispanic, and multiracial students. Data on the share of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, students with disabilities, and English learners was not available in the source data, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about these aspects of the student population.
Academically, Wellington’s most recent state test results from the Massachusetts NextGen MCAS show that a majority of students met proficiency standards in both English language arts and mathematics. Compared with other districts in Middlesex County, the school’s overall proficiency is above the midpoint. That is a solid position. However, looking at multi-year trends, proficiency rates have slipped from the levels the school reached before the pandemic. In earlier years, the share of students scoring proficient was higher; in recent years it has been lower. The trend is not a steep drop, but a noticeable decline from the school’s own past performance. A parent may want to discuss with the school how they are addressing this.
Because Wellington serves only elementary grades, there are no high school measures such as a graduation rate to consider. The school does not have data reported for chronic absenteeism, so that is another area a parent might inquire about.
The neighborhood comparison places Wellington above the midpoint on proficiency among Middlesex County districts, which includes many high-performing suburban systems. That is a strength. The softer side is the downward trend in test scores, which could reflect broader post-pandemic challenges or local factors; it is worth understanding the context.
Roger E Wellington offers a solid academic foundation in a desirable, expensive suburb. Its student body is more diverse than many in the area, and its proficiency is competitive within the county. Families who value a strong elementary school and can manage the housing costs will likely find it a good fit. The recent dip in scores and the missing demographic data are points worth exploring further with the school.
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