The top reported proficiency rate is 25% in English language arts. The lowest is 21% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Thomas Carroll
Thomas Carroll is a regular public elementary school in Peabody, Massachusetts, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Located at the intersection of Northend Street and a residential neighborhood of single-family homes, the school sits within a mid-sized North Shore city that has deep industrial and immigrant roots. Peabody itself was historically a leather-tanning center; today it has a walkable downtown Main Street district with restaurants, small retail, and municipal services, though the school sits in a quieter residential area rather than the commercial core. The city offers proximity to the commuter rail into Boston, a short drive away, and is bordered by Salem, Danvers, and Lynnfield.
The school enrolls a student body that is roughly half white, with a substantial share of Hispanic students making up most of the remainder, alongside smaller numbers of students who are Black, Asian, or of two or more races. The data does not report the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, or the shares receiving special education services or English learner support, so a parent considering the school may want to ask the district directly about these dimensions of student support and demographic need.
On the Massachusetts NextGen MCAS assessments, proficiency rates across tested subjects are at a level that places the school in the bottom quartile among districts in Essex County. In math, about a quarter of students met the proficient or advanced bar; in English language arts, about a quarter did so as well; in science, about a fifth were proficient. These are the most recent results available. The school has full participation on the tests, which is a standard and expected compliance measure. Looking back over the past several years of available data, the school’s proficiency rates have fluctuated, with higher attainment earlier in the period and a downward trend that has stabilized at the current level over the most recent few years. The school does not serve grades that produce a graduation rate, so none is reported.
The housing market in the 01960 zip code where the school is located shows a median home value that is above the national benchmark and roughly in line with the Massachusetts statewide figure. In the broader Essex County market, median listing prices have edged lower year over year, but demand remains high and inventory of active listings has increased, creating a competitive environment for buyers. The area’s unemployment rate is low and median household income is above the national figure, pointing to a broadly stable local economy.
No recent district-level changes such as successful budget overrides, new curriculum adoptions, or building projects were found in publicly available records, so the district context appears to be one of normal operations without a major recent disruption or transformation. The school itself does not have magnet or charter status and operates as a regular neighborhood elementary school within the Peabody system.
For a family evaluating Thomas Carroll, the central decision point is straightforward. The school offers a standard elementary experience in a city that provides access to the Boston area without Boston pricing, and the community is solidly middle-class in economic profile. The academic results, however, are a soft spot. Proficiency rates have been below the county midpoint for some time. A parent choosing this school may want to understand what academic interventions and supports the school offers for students who are not meeting grade-level benchmarks, and whether the school has specific programs in place to address the math and literacy gaps the data shows. The school’s relatively small enrollment for its grade band means class sizes are likely manageable, and the regular school designation means it follows the standard district curriculum and does not have a specialized admissions process. Families who prioritize a high-proficiency academic environment may find this school a mismatch; those who value a walkable North Shore city with neighborhood character and are prepared to be engaged on academic progress may find it a reasonable fit.
See more original research from School Decision →