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

Norwood vs Westwood Schools

How the two districts, about 3 miles apart, compare on test scores, high school results, classrooms, spending and housing.

The short answer

  • Overall: Westwood ranks higher, #8 to Norwood's #202 of 328 Massachusetts districts.
  • MCAS 2026: Westwood students score higher: ELA 72% vs 37%, Math 74% vs 33% met expectations. Statewide: 41% and 41%.
  • SAT: Westwood averages 145 points higher (1269 vs 1124).
  • Spending: Similar: $23,366 per student in Norwood and $25,156 in Westwood.
  • Homes: Homes cost more in Westwood: single-family homes average $1.25M vs $719K. The average tax bill is $7,065 in Norwood and $16,097 in Westwood.

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 ArtsWestwood ahead
Norwood
37%
Westwood
72%
State
41%
MathWestwood ahead
Norwood
33%
Westwood
74%
State
41%
ELA by year
YearNorwoodWestwoodState
202637%72%41%
202539%72%43%
202441%70%41%
202340%72%44%
202241%72%43%
202146%77%49%
Math by year
YearNorwoodWestwoodState
202633%74%41%
202536%73%41%
202442%73%42%
202341%73%42%
202244%71%40%
202137%64%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 SATWestwood ahead
Norwood
1124
Westwood
1269
MA avg
1113
AP exams scored 3+Westwood ahead
Norwood
63.4%
Westwood
92.5%
MA avg
69.1%
Four-year graduation rateWestwood ahead
Norwood
96.7%
Westwood
99.6%
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
Norwood
17
Westwood
17.1
MA avg
17.3
Attendance rateWestwood ahead
Norwood
92.4%
Westwood
95.5%
MA avg
93.7%
Chronically absentmissed 10%+ of daysLower in Westwood
Norwood
25.4%
Westwood
7.4%
MA avg
16.9%
Teachers who stayedfrom last yearNorwood ahead
Norwood
88.2%
Westwood
85.2%
MA avg
84.7%
Spending per studentHigher in Westwood
Norwood
$23,366
Westwood
$25,156
MA median
$21,765
Average teacher salaryHigher in Westwood
Norwood
$92,324
Westwood
$113,220
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

NorwoodWestwood
Students in classes3,5922,855
English learners16.8%1.3%
Students with disabilities23.3%21.5%
White53.2%71.2%
Asian6.2%13.3%
Hispanic/Latino22.7%7.2%
Black/African American13.2%1.8%
Multi-race4%6.3%

Homes & taxes

Average single-family home valueHigher in Westwood
Norwood
$719K
Westwood
$1.25M
MA median
$588K
Average property tax billHigher in Westwood
Norwood
$7,065
Westwood
$16,097
MA median
$6,814
Norwood
Norfolk County · Greater Boston — I-95 to I-495
Avg single-family home value$719KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$7,065MA median $6,814
Tax rate$9.80 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$57,096MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school88.6%
Town bond ratingAA+
Free cash reserves14.6% of budget
Westwood
Norfolk County · Greater Boston — I-95 to I-495
Avg single-family home value$1.25MMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$16,097MA median $6,814
Tax rate$12.90 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$135,759MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school93.2%
Town bond ratingAAA
Free cash reserves13.4% 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