The top reported proficiency rate is 52% in Science. The lowest is 26% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Webster School
Webster School is a regular public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Everett, a dense, small city just north of Boston. It sits within a compact urban neighborhood with walkable commercial corridors, bus routes, and industrial waterfront along the Mystic River. The city has grown steadily as families seek lower housing costs than in Boston, Cambridge, or Somerville, and the school reflects that demographic shift.
The student body is majority Hispanic, with smaller shares of white, Black, and Asian students. Information on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, receiving special education services, or classified as English learners was not available in the data. A parent would want to ask the school directly about these supports, particularly given that the district has publicly reported a surge in English language learners and has expanded dual-language programming and ESL staffing in response.
On the most recent state assessments, the NextGen MCAS, Webster’s overall proficiency rate across tested subjects was in the bottom quartile relative to districts in Middlesex County. In both math and English language arts, about a quarter of students scored at the proficient level or above. Science results were stronger, with roughly half of students reaching proficiency, though that test is administered in a single grade. Achievement trends over the past several years show a noticeable decline from pre-pandemic levels. In ELA, proficiency was higher in the years before 2020 and has since settled at a lower plateau. Math followed a similar pattern, with a sharp drop in 2021 followed by a partial recovery and then a gradual leveling off near current rates. A parent may want to discuss with the school how it addresses these gaps and what interventions are in place.
Webster offers a Spanish-English dual-language program for kindergarten through fifth grade, one of three such programs in the district. This is a meaningful option for families interested in bilingual instruction and represents a district-wide investment in curriculum change. The Everett Public Schools have also recently upgraded Everett High School with new career and technical education facilities, though that does not directly affect Webster’s elementary program.
The city’s recent approval of a Proposition 2½ override in 2024 increased property taxes to fund schools and municipal services, addressing a budget shortfall that had threatened cuts. This is a financial consideration for any family moving into the district. Housing in Everett is expensive by national standards, with home values and rents above the national median. The county-level market shows a high median listing price and a relatively low inventory, characteristic of the greater Boston area.
Webster’s enrollment is moderate for an elementary school, with balanced class sizes across grades. The school is publicly governed, non-charter, and non-magnet. Because it serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and no chronic absenteeism data was available.
In the context of Middlesex County districts, Webster’s overall proficiency index places it among the lower-performing schools. That is a straightforward fact from the data. The school’s dual-language program is a distinctive strength; the urban, walkable setting and growing community are characteristics that will appeal to some families more than others. A parent considering Webster should examine the school’s student support services and academic improvement efforts directly, since key demographic and program data are not available in this profile.
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