The top reported proficiency rate is 54% in Math. The lowest is 34% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Thomas Ditson
Thomas Ditson is one of five elementary schools in the Billerica public school system, serving kindergarten through fourth grade. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. The school is located on Cook Street in Billerica, a predominantly residential suburban town roughly a short drive northwest of Boston. Billerica is organized into several distinct village sections, and its public schools are spread across separate campuses rather than clustered in a single downtown. The town has a mix of single-family neighborhoods, commercial corridors, and corporate and industrial campuses, with major employers including E Ink, Raytheon, and Pan Am Railways. The MBTA commuter rail serves North Billerica, and limited bus service connects parts of town.
Thomas Ditson serves kindergarten through fourth grade. Because it is an early-elementary school, there is no graduation rate to report, and the school does not offer high-school-level programs such as Advanced Placement or career pathways. The school's academic performance is measured through the Massachusetts Next-Generation MCAS assessments in grades three and four. In the most recent testing year, math proficiency was above the midpoint among schools in its district context, while English language arts proficiency was lower. The school's overall proficiency index, which averages results across tested subjects and grades, placed below the midpoint when compared with other districts in Middlesex County. A parent may want to look into the ELA results further with the school to understand the instructional approach and any support available.
Looking at trends over time, math proficiency has held fairly steady in recent years, while English language arts proficiency has shown a gradual decline from earlier levels. The most recent science assessment data is from several years ago, so current science performance is not available. The school participates fully in state testing, with all eligible students taking the assessments.
Thomas Ditson serves a student body that is predominantly white, with Asian students making up the next largest group, followed by Hispanic and Black students. The school does not report the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, nor the share of students with disabilities or English learners, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about these support populations. The school is a regular public school and is not a Title I school, though the data does not specify whether it receives Title I funding.
The housing market in Billerica reflects its position as a suburban town within commuting distance of Boston. Home values are above the national median, and the rental market is similarly priced. The town is largely car-dependent, though the MBTA commuter rail station in North Billerica provides a rail connection to Boston, and limited bus service runs on several routes. The school campuses are spread across the town rather than clustered in a downtown area, so families should expect to drive to school and to most daily errands.
Thomas Ditson is an early-elementary school, so the academic picture is limited to the early grades. Math proficiency has been the stronger subject, with a majority of students meeting state standards in recent years. English language arts proficiency has been lower, and the trend over the past several years shows a gradual decline. The most recent science results are from a prior testing cycle, so current science performance is not available. The school does not report data on chronic absenteeism or discipline, and no information on staffing ratios or course access is available. A parent may want to ask the school about its approach to literacy instruction and any interventions in place for students who are not yet meeting ELA benchmarks.
The student body is diverse, with a majority of white students and notable shares of Asian, Hispanic, and Black students. The school does not report the percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, nor the share of students with individualized education plans or English learner status, so a parent should inquire about these support populations directly. The school serves kindergarten through fourth grade, so there is no graduation rate to report.
The district brief did not identify any recent major changes or strategic initiatives in Billerica's schools. The town has seen one elementary school close in recent years, which may reflect demographic shifts in the school-age population. For a family considering Thomas Ditson, the key takeaway is that it is a neighborhood elementary school where math performance has been a relative strength, while English language arts results are lower and have been trending downward. A parent with a child entering the early grades may want to visit the school, ask about literacy programming, and understand how the school supports students who are not yet proficient in reading and writing.
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