The top reported proficiency rate is 69% in Science. The lowest is 66% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Grace Farrar Cole
Grace Farrar Cole is one of two elementary schools in Norwell, a town in Plymouth County about a short drive southeast of Boston. The school serves children from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and is a regular public school within the Norwell district. Norwell itself is an affluent residential community with a historic village center, a handful of industrial parks, and a largely suburban, car-dependent layout. The schools are spread across town on separate campuses, not clustered downtown.
Academically, Grace Farrar Cole posts results that place it in the top quartile for overall proficiency among all districts in Plymouth County, a strong position relative to its county peers. On the state’s NextGen MCAS assessments in the most recent year, the school’s students scored at a level that reflects solid proficiency in both English language arts and mathematics, with science results similarly positive. Because the school serves only through fifth grade, those scores are based on the tested grades within its elementary span. A look at the multi-year trend shows that performance has ebbed and flowed year to year, with no sustained upward or downward trajectory, but the school has generally held a high floor. Parents considering this school will see evidence of strong academic foundations, consistent with the district’s overall standing.
The student body is predominantly white, with a small share of Asian students and a modest group of students identifying as two or more races. Black and Hispanic students each make up a very small portion of the enrollment. Data on economic disadvantage, special education, and English learner status were not available in the school’s record, so a parent who wants to understand how the school supports different learning needs or family income levels would need to ask the school or district directly. The same is true for discipline, course access, and staffing ratios, all of which were absent from the data.
The community context matters for families looking at this school. Norwell experienced a significant building boom some decades ago, more than doubling its population, but growth has since moderated. Recent population estimates suggest a slight decline from the 2020 count, and the housing market in the town’s zip code reflects very high home values, well above both state and national benchmarks. The local market shows high demand relative to supply, with homes selling fairly quickly. Rents are also elevated. For a family buying or renting in Norwell, the cost of entry is substantial. The town has no commuter rail station, though the MBTA Greenbush line is a short drive away in neighboring Scituate.
The district brief turned up no recent parent-relevant changes such as curriculum shifts, referendums, or programming updates, so there is nothing to note on that front.
Grace Farrar Cole offers what the data can describe: a consistently strong academic record, a student population that is not highly diverse by race or ethnicity, and a setting in a high-cost suburban town with limited public transit. The missing pieces around student support services and discipline are gaps a prospective family would want to fill by talking directly with the school or its parent community.
See more original research from School Decision →