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

Canton vs Walpole Schools

How the two districts, about 7 miles apart, compare on test scores, high school results, classrooms, spending and housing.

The short answer

  • Overall: Walpole ranks higher, #23 to Canton's #51 of 328 Massachusetts districts.
  • MCAS 2026: Walpole students score higher: ELA 58% vs 56%, Math 65% vs 60% met expectations. Statewide: 41% and 41%.
  • SAT: Walpole averages 72 points higher (1187 vs 1115).
  • Spending: Canton spends $3,241 more per student ($23,539 vs $20,298).
  • Homes: Similar: single-family homes average $869K in Canton and $831K in Walpole. The average tax bill is $8,468 in Canton and $10,346 in Walpole.

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 ArtsWalpole ahead
Canton
56%
Walpole
58%
State
41%
MathWalpole ahead
Canton
60%
Walpole
65%
State
41%
ELA by year
YearCantonWalpoleState
202656%58%41%
202559%56%43%
202457%56%42%
202356%58%44%
202254%56%43%
202163%64%48%
Math by year
YearCantonWalpoleState
202660%65%41%
202561%64%41%
202461%65%42%
202358%63%42%
202253%61%40%
202147%59%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 SATWalpole ahead
Canton
1115
Walpole
1187
MA avg
1113
AP exams scored 3+Walpole ahead
Canton
85.5%
Walpole
93%
MA avg
69.1%
Four-year graduation rateWalpole ahead
Canton
94.4%
Walpole
95.6%
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 sizeAbout the same
Canton
17.5
Walpole
17.7
MA avg
17.3
Attendance rateWalpole ahead
Canton
94.1%
Walpole
95.5%
MA avg
93.7%
Chronically absentmissed 10%+ of daysLower in Walpole
Canton
15.4%
Walpole
7%
MA avg
16.9%
Teachers who stayedfrom last yearWalpole ahead
Canton
85.4%
Walpole
91.2%
MA avg
84.7%
Spending per studentHigher in Canton
Canton
$23,539
Walpole
$20,298
MA median
$21,765
Average teacher salaryHigher in Canton
Canton
$106,307
Walpole
$91,393
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

CantonWalpole
Students in classes3,3243,591
English learners4.2%4.3%
Students with disabilities17.3%17.5%
White60%75%
Asian10.9%7.2%
Hispanic/Latino8.6%9%
Black/African American13.4%5%
Multi-race6.7%3.6%

Homes & taxes

Average single-family home valueHigher in Canton
Canton
$869K
Walpole
$831K
MA median
$588K
Average property tax billHigher in Walpole
Canton
$8,468
Walpole
$10,346
MA median
$6,814
Canton
Norfolk County · Greater Boston — I-95 to I-495
Avg single-family home value$869KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$8,468MA median $6,814
Tax rate$9.80 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$77,093MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school90.7%
Town bond ratingAAA
Free cash reserves6.8% of budget
Walpole
Norfolk County · Greater Boston — I-95 to I-495
Avg single-family home value$831KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$10,346MA median $6,814
Tax rate$12.50 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$71,359MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school90.2%
Town bond ratingAA+
Free cash reserves10.7% of budget

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

Canton
High schools · rank of 335
Canton HighSAT 1115#88 B
Elementary schools · rank of 895
John F Kennedy#88 A-Dean S Luce#149 B+Lt Peter M Hansen#240 B
Walpole
High schools · rank of 335
Walpole HighSAT 1187#67 B+
Elementary schools · rank of 895
Old Post Road#20 A+Elm Street School#84 A-Fisher#85 A-Boyden#192 B+