The top reported proficiency rate is 69% in Science. The lowest is 54% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Horace Mann
Horace Mann is a regular public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in the Newtonville village of Newton, part of the Newton district in Middlesex County. It sits within a mixed-use suburban setting that developed over a century ago as a commuter community for Boston professionals, with a walkable commercial center along Walnut Street and rail access via the MBTA Commuter Rail line. The school itself is one of several elementaries integrated into the fabric of the village, not set apart on a large campus.
On the 2024‑25 NextGen MCAS assessments, Horace Mann’s students posted results that place the school above the midpoint among elementary schools across Middlesex County when looking at overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades. In math, the share of students scoring proficient or above was higher than in English language arts. Science, tested only in a specific grade, showed a strong outcome. This pattern—math outperforming ELA—has been consistent over recent years, though both subjects have moved up and down. Looking back, ELA proficiency was higher in 2018‑19 and 2020‑21 than it has been in the last few years, while math has held relatively steady after a dip around 2021‑22. A parent may want to ask the school about current literacy supports and how recent cohorts compare to prior ones.
The student body is diverse in its composition. White students make up a little over half the enrollment. Asian students account for a notable share, and smaller proportions are Black, Hispanic, or identify as two or more races. No data on the share of students eligible for free or reduced‑price lunch was available, nor were counts of students with disabilities or English learners. For an elementary school of its size, these gaps mean a parent looking for specific support programs should inquire directly with the school or district about those populations.
The school operates as a regular public school and is not a charter or magnet. It does not receive Title I funding, based on the available data. Information on discipline, attendance, course access, and staffing was not provided. Chronic absenteeism rates were also missing, so there is no comparative measure on that front.
Newtonville itself is a high‑cost housing market. Home values in the zip code are well above national and state medians, and rents are similarly elevated. The village has a historic residential core of Victorian‑era homes and a business district that was partly reshaped by the Massachusetts Turnpike extension decades ago. Commuter rail and bus routes connect the area to Boston. The district brief for Newton turned up no recent parent‑relevant changes such as boundary adjustments, program overhauls, or budget shifts, so the school’s operating context appears stable for now.
For a family considering this school, the academic picture is one of solid proficiency overall, with math stronger than reading in the most recent results, and a setting that is urban‑adjacent but village‑like. The lack of data on economic disadvantage and special populations means a conversation with the school is worthwhile if those factors matter to your child’s experience. The surrounding community is walkable, transit‑connected, and expensive, fitting for families who commute to Boston or Cambridge and value a small‑town feel within a larger city.
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