Brookline, MA, is home to the best school district in Massachusetts. That is not a local opinion. It is the finding of Niche’s 2026 Best School Districts in America, which ranked the Public Schools of Brookline first among all 217 districts in the state and 31st nationally out of more than 10,000 school districts across the country. For families choosing where to live based on education quality, Brookline represents one of the strongest cases in the entire Boston metro area.
The district earned an A+ overall grade on Niche’s 2026 evaluation, with A+ marks specifically in academics, teacher quality, college preparation, extracurricular activities, and administration. It also ranked first in Massachusetts for best places to teach, which reflects the quality of instruction rather than just student outcomes. These ratings are based on state standardized test scores, graduation data from the U.S. Department of Education, and direct surveys from students, parents, and educators.
Overview of the Public Schools of Brookline
The Public Schools of Brookline (PSB) operates eight K-8 elementary schools and one high school, serving approximately 7,039 students across all grade levels from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The district-wide student-to-teacher ratio is 13 to 1, which is well below the Massachusetts state average and contributes directly to the individualized attention students receive.
Per-pupil spending in the district ranges from $23,500 to $26,300 annually, which exceeds the Massachusetts state average and reflects Brookline’s commitment to well-resourced classrooms, strong staffing levels, and robust programming.
Across the district, 73 percent of students are proficient or above in mathematics and 71 percent in reading, according to Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) results. The district-wide English Language Arts proficiency rate of 67.23 percent compares to a state average of 39.17 percent, a gap that underscores just how consistently Brookline’s schools outperform the rest of Massachusetts.
| Metric | Brookline | Massachusetts Average |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 73% | ~49% |
| Reading/ELA Proficiency | 71% | ~52% |
| ELA Proficiency (district-wide MCAS) | 67.23% | 39.17% |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 13:1 | ~14:1 |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $23,500–$26,300 | Lower |
| 4-Year Graduation Rate | 96% | ~88% |
K-8 Schools in the Public Schools of Brookline
One of Brookline’s most distinctive structural features is that it does not operate traditional middle schools. Instead, all elementary schools serve students from kindergarten through grade 8, creating a continuous learning environment that reduces the academic and social disruption often associated with middle school transitions. Students remain in one building with familiar teachers and classmates across the most formative years of their education.
In the 2025 to 2026 school year rankings, eight of Massachusetts’s top ten public K-8 schools are in Brookline. This extraordinary concentration of high-performing schools within a single town is without parallel in the state.
John Pierce School
Pierce School is ranked among the top five public K-8 schools in Massachusetts on Niche and holds a five-star rating on SchoolDigger, where it ranks 46th out of 916 Massachusetts elementary schools. Located at 50 School Street in Brookline Village, it serves approximately 592 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 13 to 1 and holds an overall Niche grade of A+. Students and parents consistently highlight the quality of teachers and the school’s ability to challenge students academically while maintaining a supportive environment.
William H. Lincoln School
Lincoln School ranks second among all public K-8 schools in Massachusetts and carries a five-star rating on SchoolDigger, where it is ranked 58th statewide. Located at 19 Kennard Road, Lincoln is known for strong proficiency rates across all grade levels, particularly in mathematics. It holds an A+ overall grade and is one of the schools in the district most consistently cited for the depth of student-teacher relationships and the quality of its academic programs.
John D. Runkle School
Runkle School ranks sixth among public K-8 schools in Massachusetts. Located at 50 Druce Street, it serves students from the surrounding neighborhood and is known for strong academic outcomes, an active extended-day program called Runkle Extended Day (RED), and after-school offerings through the Runkle Afterschool Program. Like all PSB K-8 schools, it holds an A or A+ overall grade in Niche’s 2026 ratings.
Amos A. Lawrence School
Lawrence School is located at 27 Francis Street and ranks among the top 50 elementary schools in Massachusetts, with many grade levels exceeding 70 percent proficiency on MCAS assessments. It is consistently recognized as one of Brookline’s standout elementary programs and serves a diverse student population representative of the surrounding neighborhood.
Edith C. Baker School
Baker School is one of the district’s historic institutions, with its original building dating to 1936. It continues to perform well within PSB, holding an A+ grade across academics and school quality metrics. The school offers robust programs in the arts and world languages, consistent with the district-wide commitment to enrichment alongside academic rigor.
Michael Driscoll School
The Driscoll School is one of the larger K-8 schools in the district and has undergone significant renovation in recent years. It serves students in the Coolidge Corner and surrounding areas and holds strong academic performance metrics. The school is part of the district’s summer enrichment program and maintains a focus on both academic achievement and student well-being.
Roland Hayes School
Formerly known as Heath School, the school was renamed Roland Hayes School in January 2024 to honor the American tenor and civil rights pioneer. The school serves students in the southern Brookline neighborhoods and reflects the district’s broader commitment to diversity, equity, and cultural recognition within its educational programming.
Florida Ruffin Ridley School
Previously known as Devotion School and Coolidge Corner School, the Florida Ruffin Ridley School was renamed to honor Florida Ruffin Ridley, a pioneering Black journalist, editor, and civil rights activist with deep ties to Brookline. It serves students in the Coolidge Corner area and ranks among the district’s A+ schools on Niche.
Brookline High School
Brookline High School is the sole high school in the Public Schools of Brookline. It is located at 115 Greenough Street and serves approximately 2,181 students in grades 9 through 12, with a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 11.9 to 1.
The school holds the following rankings and performance metrics:
- Ranked 5th out of 349 Massachusetts high schools by SchoolDigger
- Ranked 28th in Massachusetts by U.S. News and World Report
- Gold Medal for Best High Schools from U.S. News and World Report
- Five-time recipient of the GreatSchools College Success Award, most recently for 2024 to 2025
- 96 percent four-year graduation rate
- Average SAT score of approximately 1,380
- 61 percent AP participation rate
- 93.2 percent of AP exam takers scored a 3 or higher in the 2023 administration
- 86 percent of graduates attend four-year U.S. colleges
Brookline High School has operated since 1843, making it one of the oldest public high schools in Massachusetts. Its college preparation programs include Advanced Placement courses across all major disciplines, and graduates regularly matriculate to selective universities, including MIT, Tufts, the University of Chicago, and the University of Massachusetts system.
The school opened a new building at 22 Tappan Street in 2022, designed primarily to house freshmen. This expansion improved physical learning conditions and helped manage enrollment growth while preserving the school’s academic culture.
Private Schools in Brookline
Beyond the public school system, Brookline has a notable concentration of private schools. Approximately 37 percent of all K-12 students in Brookline attend private institutions, compared to a state average of 12 percent. This reflects both the town’s affluent demographics and the presence of several nationally recognized independent schools.
Dexter Southfield School
Dexter Southfield is an independent co-educational day school located at 20 Newton Street on a 36-acre campus. It serves students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 with an enrollment of approximately 1,100 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 7 to 1. The school was founded in 1926 and holds accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
Tuition for 2024 to 2025 ranges from approximately $42,000 for pre-kindergarten to $62,200 for grades 6 through 12. The school offers 19 interscholastic sports, extensive extracurricular programs, and a college preparatory curriculum with a strong emphasis on character development alongside academic rigor. It ranks among the top 20 percent of private schools in Massachusetts across multiple categories, including faculty credentials, program breadth, and athletic offerings.
The Park School
The Park School is an independent, non-sectarian, co-educational day school for pre-kindergarten through grade 8. Located at 171 Goddard Avenue on a 34-acre campus near Jamaica Pond, it was founded in 1888 and enrolls approximately 540 students in average class sizes of 14 to 16.
Tuition for 2024 to 2025 is $45,610 for pre-K through grade 4 and $55,300 for grades 5 through 8. The school is known for placing particular emphasis on experiential learning, student-centered instruction, and community values. It is accredited by both AISNE and NEASC and ranks among the top 20 percent of Massachusetts private schools for enrollment size and program history.
Maimonides School
Maimonides School is a Jewish day school serving pre-kindergarten through grade 12 at its Brookline campus. It offers a dual curriculum combining Judaic studies with a strong secular college preparatory program. Tuition for 2024 to 2025 ranges from $14,975 for pre-kindergarten to $39,875 for grades 9 through 12, with substantial financial aid available. The school is among the more affordable private options in Brookline relative to its academic depth.
What Makes Brookline Schools Stand Out
Several factors explain why Brookline consistently leads Massachusetts school rankings and why families specifically seek homes within Brookline’s district boundaries.
Funding and investment. Per-pupil spending of $23,500 to $26,300 ensures that classrooms are well-resourced, teachers are well-supported, and enrichment programs in music, art, and world languages are available from the early elementary years. This level of investment is difficult to replicate in lower-funded districts regardless of teacher quality.
The K-8 structure. Keeping students in the same building from kindergarten through grade 8 reduces the disruption associated with middle school transitions and allows teachers and school staff to build deeper, longer-term relationships with students and families. Research consistently supports this model for academic continuity and social development.
Teacher quality. The district ranked first in Massachusetts for best places to teach in 2026, reflecting not just compensation but working conditions, administrative support, and professional culture. Schools that attract and retain strong teachers produce better outcomes over time, and Brookline’s consistent position at the top of this category is a meaningful signal.
Diversity and inclusion. Brookline is one of the more racially and socioeconomically diverse suburbs in Massachusetts, and its schools reflect this. The district actively works to support English language learners through programs like STAR Academy, maintains equity in access to enrichment, and honors the cultural backgrounds of its student community through decisions like the recent school renamings.
College preparation. A 96 percent graduation rate, a 1,380 average SAT score, and an AP participation rate of 61 percent with a 93 percent pass rate all indicate that Brookline High School prepares students thoroughly for selective college admission. Five consecutive College Success Awards from GreatSchools confirm that this preparation extends across student demographics, not just the highest-achieving cohort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best school district in Massachusetts?
According to Niche’s 2026 rankings, the Public Schools of Brookline is the best school district in Massachusetts, ranking first out of 217 evaluated districts. It also placed 31st nationally.
Does Brookline have middle schools?
No. Brookline uses a K-8 structure in which all eight of its elementary schools serve students from kindergarten through grade 8. There are no separate middle schools in the district. Students transition directly from a K-8 school to Brookline High School.
What is Brookline High School’s graduation rate?
Brookline High School has a four-year graduation rate of approximately 96 percent, compared to the Massachusetts state average of approximately 88 percent.
How much does Brookline spend per student?
The district spends between $23,500 and $26,300 per student annually, which is above the Massachusetts state average and among the higher figures for public school districts in the state.
What private schools are in Brookline, MA?
The most prominent private schools in Brookline are Dexter Southfield School, an independent co-educational day school serving pre-K through grade 12, and The Park School, an independent elementary school serving pre-K through grade 8. Maimonides School offers a Jewish day school education from pre-K through grade 12. The town also has several Catholic and other religiously affiliated schools.
Which Brookline K-8 schools are ranked highest?
In the 2025 to 2026 statewide rankings, John Pierce School and William H. Lincoln School are among the top five K-8 public schools in Massachusetts. John D. Runkle School ranks sixth in the state. All eight PSB K-8 schools hold an overall grade of A or A+ on Niche.
Final Thoughts
Brookline’s schools are genuinely exceptional by every measurable standard. The Public Schools of Brookline lead Massachusetts in overall district quality, teacher quality, and academic preparation. Eight of the state’s top ten public K-8 schools are in this single town. Brookline High School maintains a 96 percent graduation rate and sends the vast majority of its graduates to four-year colleges. And for families who want independent school options, Dexter Southfield and The Park School rank among the most respected private institutions in New England.
For families moving to the Boston area with children, Brookline’s school quality is one of the most compelling reasons to prioritize the town in their housing search. The education infrastructure here is not just good for the area. It is among the strongest in the country.