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

Lynn vs Peabody Schools

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

The short answer

  • Overall: Peabody ranks higher, #230 to Lynn's #297 of 328 Massachusetts districts.
  • MCAS 2026: Peabody students score higher: ELA 29% vs 17%, Math 29% vs 15% met expectations. Statewide: 41% and 41%.
  • SAT: Peabody averages 203 points higher (1088 vs 885).
  • Spending: Lynn spends $1,760 more per student ($22,388 vs $20,628).
  • Homes: Homes cost more in Peabody: single-family homes average $677K vs $586K. The average tax bill is $6,031 in Lynn and $6,411 in Peabody.

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 ArtsPeabody ahead
Lynn
17%
Peabody
29%
State
41%
MathPeabody ahead
Lynn
15%
Peabody
29%
State
41%
ELA by year
YearLynnPeabodyState
202617%29%41%
202519%29%43%
202418%28%42%
202322%34%45%
202222%32%43%
202125%40%49%
Math by year
YearLynnPeabodyState
202615%29%41%
202515%30%42%
202415%33%42%
202315%33%42%
202216%31%41%
202114%29%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 SATPeabody ahead
Lynn
885
Peabody
1088
MA avg
1113
AP exams scored 3+Peabody ahead
Lynn
48.4%
Peabody
63.7%
MA avg
69.1%
Four-year graduation rateAbout the same
Lynn
86.6%
Peabody
85.7%
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 Lynn
Lynn
18.4
Peabody
17.8
MA avg
17.3
Attendance ratePeabody ahead
Lynn
91%
Peabody
92.9%
MA avg
93.7%
Chronically absentmissed 10%+ of daysLower in Peabody
Lynn
30.8%
Peabody
22.6%
MA avg
16.9%
Teachers who stayedfrom last yearPeabody ahead
Lynn
82.3%
Peabody
90.2%
MA avg
84.7%
Spending per studentHigher in Lynn
Lynn
$22,388
Peabody
$20,628
MA median
$21,765
Average teacher salaryHigher in Lynn
Lynn
$100,141
Peabody
$92,811
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

LynnPeabody
Students in classes16,6885,825
English learners46.9%16.8%
Students with disabilities21.4%18.6%
White9.2%58.5%
Asian6.1%2.6%
Hispanic/Latino73.4%28.8%
Black/African American8.3%6.4%
Multi-race2.6%3.3%

Homes & taxes

Average single-family home valueHigher in Peabody
Lynn
$586K
Peabody
$677K
MA median
$588K
Average property tax billHigher in Peabody
Lynn
$6,031
Peabody
$6,411
MA median
$6,814
Lynn
Essex County · Greater Boston — Inside I-95
Avg single-family home value$586KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$6,031MA median $6,814
Tax rate$10.30 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$26,189MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school94.4%
Town bond ratingA+
Free cash reserves4.4% of budget
Peabody
Essex County · North Shore & Merrimack Valley
Avg single-family home value$677KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$6,411MA median $6,814
Tax rate$9.50 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$40,500MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school88.2%
Free cash reserves4.8% 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