The top reported proficiency rate is 57% in Science. The lowest is 36% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Hemenway
Hemenway is a regular public elementary school in Framingham, Massachusetts, serving kindergarten through grade 5. It sits in the Framingham Public Schools district, and its grade span means that after 5th grade, students move into the district's middle schools. This is a feeder pattern that changed a few years ago when Framingham shifted from a K-5 to a K-4 elementary model and moved 5th grade into middle school, making Hemenway one of the elementary schools that sends children on to a different building for 5th grade.
The student body is diverse, with a racial and ethnic composition that includes a majority of white students, a substantial Hispanic or Latino population, and smaller shares of Asian, Black, and multiracial students. This diversity is a characteristic of the city of Framingham, which has a notably large Brazilian American population and a general mix that reflects its position as a mid-sized city within the Greater Boston commuter zone. The school's enrollment size is relatively large for an elementary school, and the city itself is a blend of suburban residential neighborhoods, major commercial corridors along Route 9, and some open space and ponds.
On state assessments, the most recent results for Hemenway show a picture that families will want to consider carefully. In mathematics, the share of students scoring proficient or above was below the midpoint among districts in Middlesex County. In English language arts, the proficiency rate was also below the county benchmark. Science results for the tested grade were higher than both math and ELA, suggesting that this area may be a relative strength for the school. Participation rates on all three tests were very high, meaning the results reflect nearly the entire student body.
Looking at the trend over time, the school's performance has declined from levels that were substantially higher in the 2016-17 through 2020-21 school years, when proficiency rates in both math and ELA were consistently above the halfway mark. There has been a notable drop since 2021, with the most recent two years of data showing math proficiency at levels that a parent may want to discuss with the school to understand what supports are in place. The downward trend is clear across several years and subjects.
The district as a whole serves the city of Framingham, which has a significant presence of major employers, including corporate headquarters like Bose, Staples, and TJX, as well as institutional employers like Framingham State University. The housing market in the area reflects the pressure of the Greater Boston region, with home values and rents that are high. This economic context means that families moving into the Hemenway attendance area are entering an expensive market. Data on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch was not available, nor was information on students with disabilities or English learners, so a full picture of economic and special population support at the school is incomplete.
Hemenway is a school with a diverse student body in a mid-sized city with strong economic anchors. Its academic profile, as measured by state tests, shows a clear challenge, with math and ELA proficiency rates that have fallen from stronger levels and now sit below the typical range for the county. The school's science results are a relative bright spot. For a family weighing this school, the core question is how the school is addressing the academic decline and what specific instructional supports, interventions, or curricular programs are in place. The district's shift in grade configuration is also a factor to consider in terms of the school's role in a child's overall journey through Framingham's system.
See more original research from School Decision →