The top reported proficiency rate is 42% in Social studies. The lowest is 27% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Point Webster Middle
Point Webster Middle serves grades five through eight in Quincy, a dense, primarily urban city that functions as one of Boston’s immediate southern suburbs. The school is a regular public school, not a charter, and its student body reflects the city’s diversity. The largest demographic groups are Asian students, followed by white students, Black students, and Hispanic students, with a smaller share of students identifying as two or more races. Information on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch was not available, nor was data on students with disabilities or English learners, so those dimensions of the student population are not part of this profile.
The school’s academic performance on state assessments sits well below the midpoint relative to other districts in Norfolk County. On the NextGen MCAS, the proficiency rate in math was lower than in English language arts, and science proficiency was slightly above math. Social studies, tested only in eighth grade, had a higher proficiency rate than any other subject. A parent looking at these results will see a school where most students are not scoring at the proficient level on state tests. The multi-year trend data, which goes back to before the pandemic, shows that proficiency rates in both English language arts and math were higher in the 2016-17 through 2018-19 school years, then dropped and have not returned to those earlier levels. This pattern is common across many schools nationally, but the most recent year’s results in both subjects represent the lowest point in the available trend line.
Because Point Webster is a middle school serving grades five through eight, there is no graduation rate to report or high school course offerings to evaluate. No data was available on chronic absenteeism, discipline, or staffing ratios. The school’s website and district information did not provide details on specific programs, electives, or extracurriculars. A parent who wants to understand the full academic and social environment should ask the school directly about what is available in those areas.
The school is located in Quincy, a city of dense, walkable neighborhoods and suburban residential areas. Quincy Center is a compact downtown with shops, restaurants, and MBTA Red Line stations that provide direct subway access to Boston. The city’s housing market is expensive by national standards, with home values and rents well above the national benchmark. Housing costs in the area have been rising, and the median listing price in Norfolk County is high. The county’s housing supply is tight, with a low number of active listings relative to the population and a high demand score.
Quincy has seen significant growth and redevelopment, particularly around transit hubs, with the New Quincy Center project bringing mixed-use development to the downtown core. The city’s population has grown, and new housing construction has been concentrated near MBTA stations. This development context means that families moving into the area will be entering a competitive housing market with strong demand and limited inventory.
For a parent considering Point Webster Middle, the school offers a diverse student body in an urban setting with strong transit connections to Boston. The academic results are below average for the county and have not recovered to pre-pandemic levels in recent years. A parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand what supports are in place, how the school is addressing these trends, and what the classroom experience looks like day to day. The school’s size and grade configuration are typical for a middle school, and its location in a growing, transit-connected city may be a draw for families who value urban amenities and access to Boston.
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