The top reported proficiency rate is 70% in Science. The lowest is 62% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Hollis
Hollis is one of six elementary schools in the Braintree public school system, serving children from kindergarten through fourth grade. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and it sits on Washington Street in a residential section of this mature inner-ring suburb south of Boston. The school’s enrollment is modest for its grade band, and the student body is diverse: a large share of students are white, roughly a quarter are Asian, and smaller shares identify as Hispanic, Black, or two or more races. Data on how many students qualify for free or reduced-price meals and on students with disabilities or English learner status was not available, so a full picture of the school’s economic and support needs is incomplete from the public record.
Academically, Hollis performs at a level that places it above the midpoint among districts in Norfolk County, based on a combined measure of proficiency across tested subjects and grades. On the most recent state assessments in math, a strong majority of students scored proficient or higher. In English language arts, about three in five students reached that same bar. Participation in testing was complete. The school also has older science results, from before testing changes, that showed a similar pattern of strong proficiency. Looking at trends over time, both math and ELA proficiency dipped notably during the pandemic years and have since recovered, with math climbing back to a level above its pre-pandemic high and ELA stabilizing near its 2019 mark. For a school serving only the early elementary grades, state test results are the main available measure, and on that front Hollis shows solid, above-average performance relative to other schools in the county.
The school itself is part of a district that made a significant structural change starting in the 2024-2025 school year: Braintree closed its separate kindergarten center and moved all kindergarten classes into the six elementary schools, including Hollis. The change also involved redistricting some elementary students to balance enrollments. This means that families with incoming kindergartners now send their children directly to Hollis rather than a separate building, and the school’s grade span of K-4 reflects that integration. At the same time, the district introduced a new world language program for all elementary grades, so Hollis students receive language instruction as a regular part of their curriculum.
The community around Hollis is Braintree, a town that combines established residential neighborhoods with heavy commercial development along interstate highways and major routes. The South Shore Plaza, a large regional mall, is nearby, as are office parks and industrial complexes. Traffic along the commercial corridors is a defining characteristic of the town. The town center, a short distance from the school, holds civic landmarks including Town Hall, Thayer Public Library, and Thayer Academy, a private school. Public transit is accessible from Braintree station, which offers MBTA Red Line service and commuter rail. Housing in the area is expensive, consistent with the broader Boston market, and the rental market is similarly high. The town describes itself as a mature community positioned for controlled growth, with a mix of older homes, some new construction, and condominium complexes.
For a family considering Hollis, what stands out is a school that delivers reliable academic results in a district that has recently invested in expanding early-elementary offerings. The reconfiguration means that kindergarten is fully integrated into the school environment, and the addition of world language instruction broadens the curriculum at a young age. The absence of data on free-lunch eligibility and special education populations means a parent may want to ask the school directly about student support resources. The housing market is a practical constraint; the cost of buying or renting in Braintree is high, and the town’s commercial traffic is a factor for daily commutes. Hollis itself is a neighborhood school serving a diverse and relatively high-performing student body in a well-established suburban setting.
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