Newton Comparison Data with Nearby School Districts
Newton Public Schools, with 11,632 students, is the largest district among the comparators and demonstrates consistently strong performance. Its graduation rate (96.1%) and low dropout rate (0.5%) place it near the top, comparable to high-achieving districts like Needham and Wellesley. Newton’s average SAT scores (645 Reading/Writing and 650 Math) are competitive, though slightly below Lexington and Wellesley, but well above Cambridge and Natick. Demographically, Newton has a moderate share of students on IEPs (18.4%), English Learners (6.6%), and low- income students (13.7%), positioning it between more affluent districts like Wellesley and higher-n eed districts like Cambridge. Financially, Newton’s per pupil spending ($25,276) is below Cambridge’s very high levels but above Natick and Needham, reflecting efficient but adequate investment. With a favorable student – teacher ratio (11.1:1) and average class size of 17, Newton balances resources, academic outcomes, and diverse student needs effectively compared to its peer districts.
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