The top reported proficiency rate is 33% in Science. The lowest is 28% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Capt William G Shoemaker
Capt William G Shoemaker is a regular public elementary school in Lynn, serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It is one of many elementary schools within the Lynn Public Schools district, a large urban system north of Boston. The school sits in a residential neighborhood of Lynn, a densely populated city with a mix of historic housing stock, industrial legacy, and ongoing redevelopment.
On state assessments, Shoemaker’s performance falls below the midpoint of districts in Essex County. The most recent results show a modest share of students scoring at the proficient level in English language arts, a slightly smaller share in math, and a similar share in science. This is a school where the majority of students are not reaching the state’s proficiency benchmark in any tested subject. Over time, the trend has been downward. A decade ago, a larger share of students met the ELA standard, and math proficiency was also higher. The declines were sharp after the pandemic and have not reversed, though the most recent year saw a small uptick in ELA. Parents looking at this school’s academic trajectory will want to ask about the specific literacy and math supports in place and how the school is working to raise attainment.
The student body is diverse. More than four in ten students are Hispanic, about three in ten are white, and the remainder are Black, Asian, or multiracial. The school serves a significant number of students from families with lower incomes, though the exact share eligible for free or reduced-price meals was not reported in the available data. Information on students with disabilities and English learners was also not included, so a parent should check directly with the school for those numbers and the supports provided. The enrollment is moderate for an elementary school, with classes across the kindergarten through fifth grade band.
The housing market in the area is expensive. Home values in Lynn’s zip code are above the national median, though somewhat lower than the countywide median listing price. For a family renting, costs are a substantial portion of income. Lynn is an urban environment with walkable downtown areas, public transit access to Boston, and major employers like GE Aerospace and North Shore Community College. The city’s development trajectory includes loft conversions in former industrial buildings and pressure from Greater Boston’s growth.
The district has been active. The Lynn School Committee voted to close one middle school due to declining enrollment, and a major high school renovation is under consideration through a state program. The district has expanded its dual-language program to three elementary schools, received an early college designation for high schoolers, and secured a federal literacy grant to support reading instruction over multiple years. The school budget has grown, funded through local property taxes and state aid, contributing to rising tax bills. These district-level changes affect Shoemaker’s context, particularly the literacy investment, which may shape instruction in the elementary grades.
This school fits a family looking for a neighborhood elementary school in an urban, diverse setting. The academic results are a soft spot, and a parent would want to understand how the school is responding to the trend. There are no high school measures to consider, as the school only serves elementary grades. The peer environment is one of ethnic and economic diversity, typical for a city of Lynn’s size and character. The housing market is challenging for buyers, with prices high relative to national averages, but rental options exist in the city’s older building stock. For a family already in Lynn or considering the city for its transit access and urban amenities, Shoemaker is a school worth investigating closely for its academic supports and recent trajectory.
See more original research from School Decision →