The top reported proficiency rate is 13% in Science. The lowest is 8% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Ingalls
Ingalls is a regular public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Lynn, a densely populated urban city that is part of Greater Boston’s inner core. The school sits within a district that has been undergoing notable changes, including the expansion of a dual-language program to three elementary schools, the closure of a middle school due to declining enrollment, and a multi-year feasibility study for a major renovation or replacement of Lynn English High School. The district has also received a federal literacy grant and been designated an Early College Promise district, though those initiatives primarily affect high school and middle school levels. For a family considering Ingalls, the district’s direction matters because it shapes the pipeline beyond elementary grades.
The student body is large and diverse. The majority of students are Hispanic, with smaller shares of Asian, Black, and White students. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, receive special education services, or are English learners were not available in the most recent reporting. A parent may want to ask the school directly about these support populations, as they often inform the kinds of resources and interventions a school provides.
State testing results from the most recent year show that the share of students meeting or exceeding state standards on the NextGen MCAS was well below the state average. In math, proficiency was in the low teens; in English language arts, it was under 10 percent. Science proficiency, tested only in grade five, was also low. These results place Ingalls in the bottom quartile among districts in Essex County when looking at an overall proficiency index across tested subjects. The trend over time shows that proficiency rates were higher in the years before the pandemic, then dropped sharply, and have remained at low levels since. A parent looking at these numbers would want to understand what academic supports the school offers and how the district’s literacy grant and other initiatives might reach the elementary level.
Because Ingalls serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report. The school does not offer the kinds of secondary programs such as Advanced Placement, career pathways, or dual credit that would be relevant for older students. The academic pathway here is a foundational one, and the transition to middle school will be an important consideration for families.
The school’s location in Lynn places it within a city that has a mix of older industrial buildings, loft-style apartments, and residential neighborhoods. The downtown cultural district includes historic architecture, public parks, and civic landmarks. Lynn’s housing market reflects the broader region’s pressures: home values are moderate for the Boston area but have climbed, and the rental market is active. The city’s economy is anchored by GE Aerospace, the public schools, and North Shore Community College, and it offers commuter rail access to Boston, which is a short drive to the south.
For a parent, Ingalls is a school where the academic performance numbers are a clear concern. The district is investing in literacy and dual-language programs, but how quickly those efforts translate into improved outcomes at Ingalls is not yet clear from the data. The school’s size and urban setting mean it serves a large, diverse population, and the broader Lynn district is in a period of facility and program changes. A family weighing this option would likely want to visit the school, speak with teachers and administrators about interventions and supports, and consider how the district’s trajectory aligns with their child’s needs.
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