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

Dover-Sherborn vs Medfield Schools

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

The short answer

  • Overall: Neck and neck: Dover-Sherborn ranks #12 and Medfield #9 of 328 Massachusetts districts.
  • MCAS 2026: Dover-Sherborn students score higher: ELA 73% vs 71%, Math 76% vs 73% met expectations. Statewide: 41% and 41%.
  • SAT: Dover-Sherborn averages 69 points higher (1283 vs 1214).
  • Spending: Dover-Sherborn spends $5,280 more per student ($26,167 vs $20,887).
  • Homes: Homes cost more in Dover-Sherborn: single-family homes average $1.49M vs $1.03M. The average tax bill is $19,553 in Dover-Sherborn and $13,904 in Medfield.

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 ArtsDover-Sherborn ahead
Dover-Sherborn
73%
Medfield
71%
State
41%
MathDover-Sherborn ahead
Dover-Sherborn
76%
Medfield
73%
State
41%
ELA by year
YearDover-SherbornMedfieldState
202673%71%41%
202572%70%43%
202468%67%42%
202370%74%45%
202271%70%44%
202177%75%49%
Math by year
YearDover-SherbornMedfieldState
202676%73%41%
202573%74%41%
202474%70%42%
202372%72%42%
202272%72%41%
202176%62%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 SATDover-Sherborn ahead
Dover-Sherborn
1283
Medfield
1214
MA avg
1113
AP exams scored 3+Dover-Sherborn ahead
Dover-Sherborn
95.8%
Medfield
92.2%
MA avg
69.1%
Four-year graduation rateAbout the same
Dover-Sherborn
100%
Medfield
99.5%
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 Medfield
Dover-Sherborn
15.5
Medfield
16.2
MA avg
17.3
Attendance rateSame
Dover-Sherborn
95.7%
Medfield
95.7%
MA avg
93.7%
Chronically absentmissed 10%+ of daysLower in Dover-Sherborn
Dover-Sherborn
5.3%
Medfield
6.8%
MA avg
16.9%
Teachers who stayedfrom last yearDover-Sherborn ahead
Dover-Sherborn
92.9%
Medfield
85.8%
MA avg
84.7%
Spending per studentHigher in Dover-Sherborn
Dover-Sherborn
$26,167
Medfield
$20,887
MA median
$21,765
Average teacher salaryHigher in Dover-Sherborn
Dover-Sherborn
$117,000
Medfield
$108,310
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

Dover-SherbornMedfield
Students in classes1,0862,480
English learners0.6%0.9%
Students with disabilities11.8%15.1%
White68.9%85%
Asian14.4%3.9%
Hispanic/Latino5.9%5%
Black/African American3.7%2%
Multi-race7%3.9%

Homes & taxes

Average single-family home valueHigher in Dover-Sherborn
Dover-Sherborn
$1.49M
Medfield
$1.03M
MA median
$588K
Average property tax billHigher in Dover-Sherborn
Dover-Sherborn
$19,553
Medfield
$13,904
MA median
$6,814
Dover
Norfolk County · Greater Boston — I-95 to I-495
Avg single-family home value$1.71MMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$19,088MA median $6,814
Tax rate$11.20 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$318,974MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school81.9%
Sherborn
Middlesex County · Greater Boston — I-95 to I-495
Avg single-family home value$1.28MMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$20,018MA median $6,814
Tax rate$15.70 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$381,211MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school92.3%
Town bond ratingAAA
Free cash reserves9% of budget
Medfield
Norfolk County · Greater Boston — I-95 to I-495
Avg single-family home value$1.03MMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$13,904MA median $6,814
Tax rate$13.50 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$118,942MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school91.5%
Free cash reserves6.8% 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

Dover-Sherborn
High schools · rank of 335
Dover-Sherborn Regional HighSAT 1283#3 A+
Elementary schools · rank of 895
Chickering#59 APine Hill#166 B+
Medfield
High schools · rank of 335
Medfield Senior HighSAT 1214#25 A
Elementary schools · rank of 895
Ralph Wheelock School#63 A