The top reported proficiency rate is 74% in Science. The lowest is 70% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Harrington
Harrington is an elementary school serving kindergarten through grade five in Lexington, Massachusetts, part of the Lexington public school system. This is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and it sits within one of the most academically high-performing and expensive communities in the state. The school draws from surrounding neighborhoods in the town of Lexington, a suburban community roughly a short drive from downtown Boston, known for its historic downtown core around the Battle Green, a mix of independent shops, and a significant presence of biotech and defense employers like Takeda and BAE Systems. The town has a notably diverse population, with a large Asian American community and a substantial share of foreign-born residents.
State testing data from the most recent available year, which covers students in grades three through five, shows that the school's results sit well above the midpoint among districts in Middlesex County. In math, a strong majority of students scored at or above the proficient level, and the results in English language arts and science were similarly solid, with science reflecting an especially high share of students meeting the bar. The pattern across recent years shows some year-to-year variation, with a dip in both math and ELA proficiency during the pandemic period followed by a recovery that has brought results back to robust levels. In the most recent year, the school’s combined proficiency across all tested subjects placed it in the top quarter of its comparison set — the full range of districts in Middlesex County. This is a school where a large majority of students are meeting state standards, and performance on these measures is clearly a strength.
The school serves a student body that is demographically diverse. A substantial share of students are Asian, a group that is well-represented in the district, and smaller but notable shares are white, Black, and students identifying as two or more races. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch was not available in the source material, nor were counts of students with individualized education plans or English learner status. Families interested in those supports should follow up directly with the school or district to understand what resources are in place.
Because Harrington serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and the discipline and course access data were not present in the records reviewed. The school environment data also did not include staffing information or attendance rates. The lack of these details is a gap for a parent weighing the full picture, but the core academic story is clear and positive.
The Lexington housing market is among the most expensive in Massachusetts. Home values and rents are very high, and the cost of buying or renting comfortably exceeds what is typical even for the state, let alone the nation. This is a community where the price of entry is steep, and the school reflects the resources and expectations of that setting. The Lexington school system as a whole has a reputation for high achievement, and Harrington’s results fit that profile. For a family that can manage the cost of living, this is an elementary school with consistently strong test scores and a diverse student body, located in a community with deep historical and cultural resources. Parents considering this school should also look into the school’s special education and English learner programs directly if those are relevant to their child, as the present data does not speak to those areas.
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