The top reported proficiency rate is 17% in Science. The lowest is 10% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on E J Harrington
E J Harrington is a regular public elementary school in Lynn, Massachusetts, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It sits within the Lynn Public Schools district, a large urban system that is part of Greater Boston’s inner core. The school occupies a building on Dexter Street, in a dense residential area of a city known for its historic industrial past, immigrant population, and ongoing downtown revitalization.
The student body is large for an elementary school that covers only PK-5. The majority of students are Hispanic, with smaller shares of white, Black, Asian, multiracial, and a very small number of American Indian students. Data on how many students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, receive special education services, or are classified as English learners was not available, which makes it harder to assess the level of economic and academic support needed. A parent would want to ask the school directly about these figures and what resources are in place for students who need extra help.
State testing results for the most recent year show that the share of students scoring proficient or above in math is low, and similarly low in English language arts. Science proficiency, tested at a single grade, is somewhat higher but still below what many families would expect. Looking back over several years, proficiency rates in both math and ELA have declined notably from pre-pandemic levels. The school’s overall performance across tested subjects places it in the bottom quartile relative to districts in Essex County. This is a soft spot worth examining closely. The trend lines are clear, and a parent considering Harrington would want to understand what the school is doing to address these results—curriculum changes, intervention programs, or additional support for struggling students.
Because Harrington only goes through fifth grade, there is no graduation rate to report, and data on chronic absenteeism and discipline was not included in the profile. Those are gaps a parent may wish to fill during a visit or conversation with the principal.
The community around the school is urban and walkable, with a downtown cultural district, public parks, and transit connections to Boston via commuter rail. Housing in Lynn is relatively less expensive than many Boston suburbs, though still substantial, and rent consumes a significant share of typical household income. The city’s population density supports a lively street life, and the school is integrated into the fabric of residential neighborhoods rather than isolated on a campus. Across the district, recent changes include the closure of a middle school, expansion of a dual-language program into three elementary schools (though it is not stated whether Harrington is one of them), and a notable increase in the district budget driven by special education, transportation, and staffing costs. A large federal literacy grant was also awarded to the district, which may affect reading instruction at Harrington.
Overall, E J Harrington is a school where families choosing it will want to be actively engaged. The academic numbers are a clear concern, and historical trends have not reversed. The school’s size and urban setting mean it serves a diverse student body in a city with many assets—but the core question of academic progress demands a close look at what the school is doing in classrooms day to day. Without additional data on support services and staffing, a parent’s best next step is a direct conversation with the school to ask about intervention strategies, teacher experience, and how the school plans to improve outcomes for all students.
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