The top reported proficiency rate is 32% in Science. The lowest is 22% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Conley Elementary School
Conley Elementary School is a regular public school in the Roslindale neighborhood of Boston, serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. Its small enrollment makes it one of the more intimate elementary options within the Boston Public Schools system, and it operates as a neighborhood school drawing primarily from the surrounding residential streets.
On the most recent state assessments, proficiency rates were modest. In math, roughly a quarter of students scored at the proficient level or above, and in English language arts the figure was about one in five. Science results, which come from a single tested grade, showed a somewhat higher share of students meeting the bar. These numbers are well below the statewide average, and a parent may want to ask the school about the specific instructional supports and interventions in place for students who are not yet at grade level. Looking back over the past several years, the school’s performance in both math and ELA has fluctuated, with a notable dip following the pandemic disruptions and a recovery that has plateaued at levels below what the school saw before 2020. When compared with school districts across Suffolk County, Conley’s overall proficiency index places it above the midpoint, though that comparison is at the district level and should be interpreted with caution given that the school serves a single neighborhood population.
The student body is diverse. Hispanic students make up the largest group, followed by Black and White students, with small shares of Asian, multiracial, and other backgrounds. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, receive special education services, or are English learners was not available in the most recent reporting, so a parent would need to follow up directly with the school for that information. The school itself is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and Title I status was not reported.
Roslindale is a primarily residential neighborhood of Boston, a short transit ride from downtown via the MBTA Commuter Rail or bus lines. The commercial heart is Roslindale Village, a walkable square with local shops, restaurants, and a farmers’ market. The neighborhood includes a mix of single-family homes, triple-deckers, and small apartment buildings, and the housing stock is expensive by national standards, with home values and rents well above typical levels. The area has seen new apartment construction near the square in recent years, and the neighborhood retains substantial green space, including part of the Arnold Arboretum. Roslindale is demographically diverse, and its public schools include several elementary options, a middle school, and a charter school, so families in the neighborhood have choices within a reasonable distance.
For a family considering Conley, the school offers a small, neighborhood-anchored setting with a diverse student population. Academic results are a clear area of concern, and the lack of available data on special populations and support services makes it harder to gauge what targeted interventions might exist. A family would want to visit, talk to the principal about how the school addresses literacy and math gaps, and understand what enrichment or specialty programs are offered, since no program listings were provided in the available data. The school fits a family that values a close community feel, wants their child in a walkable Boston neighborhood, and is prepared to be actively engaged in monitoring and supplementing academic progress.
See more original research from School Decision →