The top reported proficiency rate is 9% in English language arts. The lowest is 4% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on English High School
English High School is a regular public school in the Boston Public Schools district serving grades seven through twelve. Located on McBride Street in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood, it is one of the oldest public high schools in the country, though its current building and program reflect a modern urban comprehensive school. The school enrolls a student body that is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial Black student population and small shares of white, Asian, and multiracial students. It is a non-charter, non-magnet school.
Academically, the school faces serious challenges as measured by Massachusetts state assessments. Proficiency rates on the Next-Generation MCAS are well below district and state averages. In math, the share of students scoring proficient or above is very low, and in English language arts the rate is similarly low. Science and social studies results follow the same pattern. Compared to other schools in Suffolk County, English High School’s overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile. Looking at recent trends, the math proficiency rate has declined over the past few available years, while the ELA rate has fluctuated in a narrow low band. A state testing cut score change for social studies in the most recent year means those results should be interpreted with caution, but the overall picture is consistent: academic attainment is a primary area of concern, and a family considering this school would want to discuss with the school what supports are in place for students who are not yet meeting grade-level benchmarks. Because the school serves grades seven through twelve, state testing is administered across multiple grade levels; the results reported here cover the grade three through eight tests as well as a grade eight social studies assessment. High school level MCAS results were not available in the data provided.
The school’s enrollment is heavily concentrated in the high school grades, with a relatively small middle school cohort in grades seven and eight. This creates a setting where most students are in a high school environment. Data on free and reduced-price meal eligibility, special education identification, and English learner status were not provided, so the full socioeconomic and support-need profile of the student body is not available from these records. Similarly, information on discipline, course access, staffing, and attendance was absent.
Boston itself is a dense, walkable capital city with a strong economy anchored by finance, professional services, higher education, and biotechnology. It is a global hub for research and startups, and its public transit system, parks, and civic institutions are woven into daily life. Housing costs in the area are very high, well above the national median, and rents are also elevated, making affordability a significant factor for many families. The district brief found no recent Boston Public Schools-level policy or budget changes of lasting impact to report, suggesting a period of relative stability at the system level, though individual school conditions may vary.
English High School is not a destination for families seeking a high-proficiency academic environment as reflected in state test scores. It serves a large, majority-minority student population in a major city, and its academic results are among the lowest in its county. A parent considering this school should seek a clear understanding of the school’s instructional approach, intervention strategies for struggling students, and any specialized programs or pathways that may not be captured in the aggregate data.
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