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

Maynard vs Watertown Schools

How the two districts, about 15 miles apart, compare on test scores, high school results, classrooms, spending and housing.

The short answer

  • Overall: Watertown ranks higher, #102 to Maynard's #121 of 328 Massachusetts districts.
  • MCAS 2026: Watertown students score higher: ELA 46% vs 41%, Math 51% vs 38% met expectations. Statewide: 41% and 41%.
  • SAT: Maynard averages 55 points higher (1187 vs 1132).
  • Spending: Watertown spends $2,923 more per student ($27,428 vs $24,505).
  • Homes: Homes cost more in Watertown: single-family homes average $663K vs $607K. The average tax bill is $10,081 in Maynard and $8,094 in Watertown.

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 ArtsWatertown ahead
Maynard
41%
Watertown
46%
State
41%
MathWatertown ahead
Maynard
38%
Watertown
51%
State
41%
ELA by year
YearMaynardWatertownState
202641%46%41%
202543%48%42%
202443%46%42%
202344%49%44%
202243%46%43%
202150%49%48%
Math by year
YearMaynardWatertownState
202638%51%41%
202534%49%41%
202444%48%42%
202339%47%42%
202237%46%40%
202132%34%35%

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

High school results

Average SATMaynard ahead
Maynard
1187
Watertown
1132
MA avg
1113
AP exams scored 3+Maynard ahead
Maynard
82.9%
Watertown
78.9%
MA avg
69.1%
Four-year graduation rateMaynard ahead
Maynard
94.4%
Watertown
87%
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
Maynard
16.9
Watertown
17.2
MA avg
17.3
Attendance rateAbout the same
Maynard
94.4%
Watertown
93.7%
MA avg
93.7%
Chronically absentmissed 10%+ of daysLower in Maynard
Maynard
14.5%
Watertown
15.6%
MA avg
16.9%
Teachers who stayedfrom last yearWatertown ahead
Maynard
86.7%
Watertown
89.1%
MA avg
84.7%
Spending per studentHigher in Watertown
Maynard
$24,505
Watertown
$27,428
MA median
$21,765
Average teacher salaryHigher in Watertown
Maynard
$88,985
Watertown
$100,692
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

MaynardWatertown
Students in classes1,2402,886
English learners7.8%18.2%
Students with disabilities19.4%18.9%
White72.5%55%
Asian1.6%8.4%
Hispanic/Latino17.1%23.7%
Black/African American3.5%3.6%
Multi-race5%9.3%

Homes & taxes

Average single-family home valueHigher in Watertown
Maynard
$607K
Watertown
$663K
MA median
$588K
Average property tax billHigher in Maynard
Maynard
$10,081
Watertown
$8,094
MA median
$6,814
Maynard
Middlesex County · Greater Boston — I-95 to I-495
Avg single-family home value$607KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$10,081MA median $6,814
Tax rate$16.60 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$53,916MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school95.9%
Free cash reserves1.3% of budget
Watertown
Middlesex County · Greater Boston — Inside I-95
Avg single-family home value$663KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$8,094MA median $6,814
Tax rate$12.20 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$64,792MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school84.8%
Town bond ratingAAA
Free cash reserves16.1% 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

Maynard
High schools · rank of 335
Maynard HighSAT 1187#55 B+
Elementary schools · rank of 895
Green Meadow#595 C+
Watertown
High schools · rank of 335
Watertown HighSAT 1132#118 B
Elementary schools · rank of 895
Hosmer#265 BJames Russell Lowell#325 BCunniff#400 B-