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School district comparison · MCAS 2026 · other data 2024-25

Beverly vs Marblehead Schools

How the two districts, about 4 miles apart, compare on test scores, high school results, classrooms, spending and housing.

The short answer

  • Overall: Marblehead ranks higher, #62 to Beverly's #87 of 328 Massachusetts districts.
  • MCAS 2026: Marblehead students score higher: ELA 56% vs 45%, Math 60% vs 50% met expectations. Statewide: 41% and 41%.
  • SAT: Marblehead averages 99 points higher (1212 vs 1113).
  • Spending: Marblehead spends $1,859 more per student ($21,972 vs $20,112).
  • Homes: Homes cost more in Marblehead: single-family homes average $1.29M vs $817K. The average tax bill is $8,834 in Beverly and $11,055 in Marblehead.
  • Class size: Smaller in Marblehead: 16.8 students on average vs 19.7.

MCAS results, 2026

Share of students meeting or exceeding expectations, all tested grades combined. Both districts test grades 3–10; "State" is the statewide figure for the same grades.

English Language ArtsMarblehead ahead
Beverly
45%
Marblehead
56%
State
41%
MathMarblehead ahead
Beverly
50%
Marblehead
60%
State
41%
ELA by year
YearBeverlyMarbleheadState
202645%56%41%
202545%58%42%
202444%59%42%
202347%63%44%
202245%57%43%
202151%68%49%
Math by year
YearBeverlyMarbleheadState
202650%60%41%
202549%59%41%
202449%62%42%
202346%62%42%
202243%52%40%
202136%58%36%

No test in 2020. Statewide 10th-grade results dropped after 2024, when passing the MCAS stopped being a graduation requirement.

High school results

Average SATMarblehead ahead
Beverly
1113
Marblehead
1212
MA avg
1113
AP exams scored 3+Marblehead ahead
Beverly
75.5%
Marblehead
84.6%
MA avg
69.1%
Four-year graduation rateMarblehead ahead
Beverly
93.6%
Marblehead
96.7%
MA avg
92.4%

Averages of each district's ranked high schools. "MA avg" is the average of all districts with high school data.

Classrooms, teachers & spending

Average class sizeHigher in Beverly
Beverly
19.7
Marblehead
16.8
MA avg
17.3
Attendance rateAbout the same
Beverly
92.1%
Marblehead
92.7%
MA avg
93.7%
Chronically absentmissed 10%+ of daysLower in Marblehead
Beverly
24.8%
Marblehead
19.1%
MA avg
16.9%
Teachers who stayedfrom last yearBeverly ahead
Beverly
89.2%
Marblehead
81.4%
MA avg
84.7%
Spending per studentHigher in Marblehead
Beverly
$20,112
Marblehead
$21,972
MA median
$21,765
Average teacher salaryHigher in Marblehead
Beverly
$87,991
Marblehead
$90,696
MA median
$91,393

Spending is total per-pupil expenditure from all sources in FY2024. Class size is the average across all classes in the district.

Students

BeverlyMarblehead
Students in classes4,4602,577
English learners5.7%3.6%
Students with disabilities22.1%18.4%
White72.4%82.5%
Asian2.3%1.8%
Hispanic/Latino16.2%8.7%
Black/African American4.4%2.6%
Multi-race4.6%4.3%

Homes & taxes

Average single-family home valueHigher in Marblehead
Beverly
$817K
Marblehead
$1.29M
MA median
$588K
Average property tax billHigher in Marblehead
Beverly
$8,834
Marblehead
$11,055
MA median
$6,814
Beverly
Essex County · North Shore & Merrimack Valley
Avg single-family home value$817KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$8,834MA median $6,814
Tax rate$10.80 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$64,234MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school89.1%
Town bond ratingAA+
Free cash reserves6% of budget
Marblehead
Essex County · North Shore & Merrimack Valley
Avg single-family home value$1.29MMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$11,055MA median $6,814
Tax rate$8.60 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$119,589MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school81.5%
Town bond ratingAAA

What could you afford in either town?

FY2026 averages for single-family homes from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue; for a district with several towns, the comparison uses the average of its towns. Assessed values usually run below recent sale prices.

The schools