The top reported proficiency rate is 10% in Science. The lowest is 0% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Devens School
Devens School is a regular public school in Everett that serves students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, making it one of a small number of schools in Massachusetts that covers the entire K-12 span under one roof. It sits within the Everett Public Schools district. The school is small, with an enrollment well below what is typical for a K-12 campus, and its student body is majority Hispanic, followed by White and Black students, with smaller shares of Asian students and students of two or more races. The school does not appear in the data as a charter, magnet, or Title I school.
On state testing, Devens School’s academic results are extremely low. In the most recent available year, no student scored at the proficient or advanced level in either math or English language arts in the grades tested, and a small share reached proficiency in science in an earlier testing cycle. The proficiency index for the school places it in the bottom quartile among districts in Middlesex County. The trend data show that proficiency rates in ELA and math have been near zero going back several years, with only occasional small upticks. A parent should be aware that the school’s test scores are among the lowest in the county and should ask the school directly about instruction, intervention programs, and academic supports. Because the school is small, the number of students tested in any given year is also small, which means a single student's performance can shift the rate more than in a larger school.
There is no reported data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, nor on the share of students with disabilities or English learners, though the district brief notes that a large and growing share of Everett students overall are English language learners, with the district investing in dual-language programming and ESL staffing. Whether Devens School itself reflects that district trend is not stated in the data. The school’s graduation rate is also not reported, so a parent evaluating high school outcomes cannot draw on that metric here.
Everett is a dense, urban city just north of Boston, with a mix of residential streets, commercial corridors, and heavy industrial land along the Mystic River. The city has grown steadily as families seek housing closer to Boston at lower costs than in Cambridge or Somerville. Housing in the area is expensive, with home prices above many other Massachusetts communities and rents similarly high, making the city relatively unaffordable for the typical household. The city has a walkable commercial core along Broadway, bus service, and a subway station in nearby Medford. Major employers include the Encore Boston Harbor casino, an LNG terminal, and the Mystic Generating Station.
The district has been through several recent changes that could affect a family’s decision. In late 2024, voters approved a property tax override to fund schools, directly increasing taxes for residents. The district has also expanded dual-language programs and ESL services in response to a growing number of English learners. Everett High School has received investments in career and technical education facilities, including a culinary arts kitchen and a medical arts lab.
For a parent considering Devens School, the picture is clear in its outlines and limited in its details. The school serves a wide grade span in a small setting, with a student population that is predominantly Hispanic. Test scores are very low, and no graduation rate is available to assess high school completion. The lack of data on special populations, discipline, attendance, and course access leaves real questions unanswered. A family would want to visit the school, talk with staff about academic programming and student support, and ask about the high school experience for the small number of upper-grade students enrolled there.
See more original research from School Decision →