Research / Best ZIP codes for schools
Best ZIP codes for schools in Massachusetts
Ranked by the School Quality Index: district math and reading proficiency and graduation rates, weighted by how much of each district falls in the ZIP.
How we rank school quality
The School Quality Index summarizes district math and reading proficiency and four-year graduation outcomes. Results based on very small student samples are excluded, and missing measures do not count as zero.
A ZIP's score reflects the districts serving the area, with greater influence from districts covering more of the ZIP. It measures outcomes, not school ratings, spending, or individual schools.
Each state sets its own tests and proficiency cut scores, so the index compares ZIPs well within a state but not across states. That is why we rank ZIPs only within each state.
Only ZIPs with at least 1,000 residents are ranked, so a handful of households cannot top the list. 466 Massachusetts ZIPs qualify.
Massachusetts ZIP codes ranked by school quality
1ZIP 01741Carlisle
Massachusetts
- School quality index
- 80.9
- ZIP population
- ~5k
- Avg. temperature
- 50°F
- Avg. commute
- 35 min
2ZIP 01772Southborough
Massachusetts
- School quality index
- 80.3
- ZIP population
- ~10k
- Avg. temperature
- 50°F
- Avg. commute
- 33 min
3ZIP 02421Lexington
Massachusetts
- School quality index
- 80.2
- ZIP population
- ~18k
- Avg. temperature
- 50°F
- Avg. commute
- 31 min
4ZIP 02420Lexington
Massachusetts
- School quality index
- 79.0
- ZIP population
- ~16k
- Avg. temperature
- 50°F
- Avg. commute
- 30 min
5ZIP 02030Dover
Massachusetts
- School quality index
- 77.8
- ZIP population
- ~6k
- Avg. temperature
- 51°F
- Avg. commute
- 35 min
6ZIP 01776Sudbury
Massachusetts
- School quality index
- 77.2
- ZIP population
- ~19k
- Avg. temperature
- 50°F
- Avg. commute
- 35 min
| Rank | ZIP | City | County | School quality index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #7 | 01778 | Wayland | Middlesex County | 77.1 |
| #8 | 01886 | Westford | Middlesex County | 76.6 |
| #9 | 02457 | Wellesley Hills | Norfolk County | 76.6 |
| #10 | 02481 | Wellesley Hills | Norfolk County | 76.6 |
| #11 | 02482 | Wellesley | Norfolk County | 76.6 |
| #12 | 02043 | Hingham | Plymouth County | 76.2 |
| #13 | 02090 | Westwood | Norfolk County | 76.0 |
| #14 | 01719 | Acton | Middlesex County | 75.8 |
| #15 | 01720 | Acton | Middlesex County | 75.8 |
| #16 | 01742 | Concord | Middlesex County | 75.8 |
| #17 | 01581 | Westborough | Worcester County | 75.4 |
| #18 | 01890 | Winchester | Middlesex County | 75.2 |
| #19 | 02492 | Needham | Norfolk County | 75.0 |
| #20 | 02494 | Needham | Norfolk County | 75.0 |
| #21 | 01748 | Hopkinton | Middlesex County | 74.5 |
| #22 | 02446 | Brookline | Norfolk County | 74.5 |
| #23 | 02052 | Medfield | Norfolk County | 74.2 |
| #24 | 02458 | Newton | Middlesex County | 74.0 |
| #25 | 02459 | Newton | Middlesex County | 74.0 |
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More Massachusetts research
Most affordable ZIP codes
Ranked by cost of living index
- Massachusetts median ZIP
- 132.1
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 104.9 to 201.9
ZIP codes with the shortest commutes
Ranked by mean commute
- Massachusetts median ZIP
- 29.0 min
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 21.0 min to 35.3 min
Best healthcare access
Ranked by healthcare access score
- Massachusetts median ZIP
- 95.9
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 91.2 to 99.2
Best broadband coverage
Ranked by households with broadband
- Massachusetts median ZIP
- 94.2%
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 87.8% to 98.1%
Warmest ZIP codes
Ranked by avg. temperature
- Massachusetts median ZIP
- 50.0°F
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 48.0°F to 51.2°F