The top reported proficiency rate is 39% in English language arts. The lowest is 27% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Hedge
Hedge is a regular public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Plymouth, Massachusetts. It is one of several elementary schools in the Plymouth district, located on Standish Avenue in a residential part of this large coastal town. The school enrolls roughly two hundred students, with grade sections that appear evenly sized. Because it stops at fifth grade, there is no graduation rate to report, and state testing is limited to the subjects and grade bands that Massachusetts assesses at the elementary level.
State assessment data from the most recent year shows that overall proficiency on the Next Generation MCAS is below the midpoint for Plymouth County districts. In math, about two-fifths of tested students scored at the proficient or advanced level, and in English language arts the share was slightly higher, though still modest. Science results, which come from a smaller cohort of fifth graders, were lower. These figures place Hedge’s combined proficiency in the bottom quarter among its county peers. The school’s own historical pattern shows some fluctuation: prior to the pandemic, proficiency in both English and math was somewhat higher, then dipped and has since partially recovered. The most recent year’s English result edged back up toward pre-pandemic levels, while math has stabilized near where it was a few years ago. Participation in testing was complete, so the results reflect nearly every student in the tested grades.
The student body is diverse in composition. About half of students are white, and a substantial share, roughly two-fifths, are Hispanic. Smaller groups include students who identify as two or more races and Black students. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, receive special education services, or are classified as English learners was not reported, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the range of support programs available.
Housing in the area where Hedge draws its students carries a high price tag. Typical home values are well above the national median, and rents are similarly elevated. The broader Plymouth County housing market is competitive: listings sell in about a month on average, and the median asking price for a home is in the seven-hundred-thousand-dollar range. For families renting, the cost consumes a large portion of typical household income, which is a factor worth weighing for anyone considering a move to this part of Plymouth.
Plymouth itself is a large municipality by both population and land area, with a compact, walkable downtown clustered around the harbor and historic sites such as Plymouth Rock. Outside the center, the town is predominantly suburban and car-dependent. The local economy is anchored by healthcare, tourism, and a mix of technical services. The largest employer is Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital. The town has seen steady growth and retains developable land, but specific new housing developments were not detailed in the available information.
Because Hedge serves only elementary grades, it does not offer the course pathways or graduation metrics that matter for high school planning. No information on program offerings such as art, music, or specialized instruction was included in the data, so that dimension is a gap. Similarly, discipline records and staffing ratios were not provided.
For a parent, Hedge presents a school with a diverse enrollment and a stable elementary program in a high-cost housing market. The core academic results, as measured by state tests, trail those of many other Plymouth County districts, which may be a point to explore further with the school regarding curriculum and targeted support. The school’s size and grade span are straightforward, and the community context of Plymouth offers a mix of historic downtown amenities and suburban residential life.
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