The top reported proficiency rate is 44% in English language arts. The lowest is 39% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Richard L. Wilkins Elementary School
Richard L. Wilkins Elementary School serves students from Pre-K through Grade 5 in Stoughton, a suburban town south of Boston. The school is a regular public elementary school within the Stoughton Public Schools district. For a family considering this school, the picture that emerges from the data is of a community elementary school where academic performance on state assessments has been inconsistent and is currently below the midpoint when compared to districts across Norfolk County.
The school’s MCAS results for the most recent year show that a notable share of students met or exceeded state standards in math and English Language Arts, though the percentage was below half in both subjects. Science results, which are tested at one grade level, were similar. Over the past several years, proficiency rates have moved up and down without establishing a clear upward trajectory. In math, rates were as high as modestly above half and then dropped, while in English Language Arts they climbed to a high and then fell back. This variability is something a parent may want to ask the school about directly to understand what drives the year-to-year changes.
The school’s enrollment draws from a racially and ethnically diverse set of families. The student body reflects a share of white students as the largest single group, with substantial representation of Hispanic and Black students, a smaller share of Asian students, and a mix of students who identify as two or more races. Data on students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, students with disabilities, and English learners was not reported, leaving an incomplete picture of the support resources the school dedicates to different populations.
Stoughton itself is a town with a varied character. It was a shoe-making center in the 1800s and now mixes residential neighborhoods with industrial zones and regional retail. The town has protected open spaces, including the Bird Street Sanctuary, and a municipal golf course. The historic downtown near the train station is a civic hub, though MBTA rail service to that station has been permanently closed; the town purchased the station and is planning its redevelopment. Regional road access is good, with several state routes and multiple interchanges on Route 24. The new Stoughton High School, completed recently, was a major capital project with long-term debt payments that the district—and taxpayers—carry. That financial obligation is a relevant factor for any resident of the town.
Because Wilkins is an elementary school, there is no graduation rate to report. There were also no data on course access, staffing ratios, or chronic absenteeism. A parent may want to visit the school to learn about class sizes, how specialists are deployed, and what extracurricular or enrichment opportunities are available for the elementary grades.
Overall, Wilkins Elementary School sits in a suburban town with an established sense of place, a recent large investment in its high school, and a set of academic results that have moved around from year to year. For a family, the next step would likely be a direct conversation with the school about how it supports consistent growth and where resources are directed.
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