Putnam Avenue Upper School

Summary:

Putnam Avenue Upper School is a public middle school in Cambridge, MA, serving 251 students in grades 6-8. The school has a diverse student population, with 26.29% White, 30.68% African American, 12.35% Hispanic, 15.94% Asian, and 13.55% two or more races.

Putnam Avenue Upper School has shown consistent improvement in its statewide ranking, moving from 328th out of 498 middle schools in 2018-2019 to 107th out of 493 in 2023-2024, with a 4-star rating. The school's performance on MCAS Next Generation assessments is generally above the Cambridge district and state averages, particularly in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. In 2023-2024, 58.23% of Putnam Avenue students were proficient or better in ELA, compared to 55.2% in the Cambridge district and 39.17% statewide. In Mathematics, 53.25% of Putnam Avenue students were proficient or better, compared to 53.81% in the Cambridge district and 40.91% statewide.

Putnam Avenue Upper School's performance is generally stronger than the other middle schools in the Cambridge district, such as Rindge Avenue Upper School and Cambridge Street Upper School. However, the school's performance is not as strong as the top-performing middle schools in the region, such as Winthrop L Chenery Middle School in Belmont.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 100 Putnam Avenue
       Cambridge, MA  02139


(617) 349-7780

District: Cambridge

SchoolDigger Rank:
107th of 493 Massachusetts Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $34,089 Help


Students who attend Putnam Avenue Upper School usually attend:

High:    Cambridge Rindge and Latin

Feeder schools for Putnam Avenue Upper School:

Elementary:    Amigos School
    Cambridgeport
    Fletcher/Maynard Academy
    Haggerty
    More...

Student/teacher ratio:  7.6 Help
Number of students:  270

Racial breakdown:

White:
29.3%
African American:
27.0%
Asian:
18.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  65% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Putnam Avenue Upper School ranks better than 78.3% of middle schools in Massachusetts. It also ranks 2nd among 4 ranked middle schools in the Cambridge School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 76.31. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Putnam Avenue Upper School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (29.3%), African American (27%), Asian (18.9%). (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Putnam Avenue Upper School is 7.6, which is the 2nd best among 4 middle schools in the Cambridge School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Putnam Avenue Upper School employs 35.3 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Putnam Avenue Upper School is $34,089, which is the highest among 4 middle schools in the Cambridge School District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Putnam Avenue Upper School:

SchoolDigger ranks Putnam Avenue Upper School 107th of 493 Massachusetts public middle schools. (See Putnam Avenue Upper School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Asian students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Cambridge:

SchoolDigger ranks Cambridge 101st of 351 Massachusetts school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Putnam Avenue Upper School?

Rank History for Putnam Avenue Upper School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Putnam Avenue Upper School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2015 30.22 321st 441 27.2%
2016 38.15 305th 482 36.7%
2017 33.48 332nd 487 31.8%
2018 43.47 279th 484 42.4%
2019 35.44 328th 498 34.1%
2021 55.29 201st 501 59.9%
2022 58.79 177th 497 64.4%
2023 64.96 155th 501 69.1%
2024 76.31 107th 493 78.3%
See the entire list of Massachusetts Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Putnam Avenue Upper School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 40.12 45th 87 48.3%
2022 76.71 25th 102 75.5%
2023 73.36 32nd 110 70.9%
2024 69.50 32nd 98 67.3%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Putnam Avenue Upper School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 39.83 294th 467 37.0%
2019 37.76 309th 484 36.2%
2021 56.54 159th 489 67.5%
2022 48.28 225th 503 55.3%
2023 52.14 152nd 444 65.8%
2024 73.77 70th 441 84.1%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Putnam Avenue Upper School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 35.78 304th 438 30.6%
2019 36.75 300th 452 33.6%
2021 57.78 159th 462 65.6%
2022 47.05 240th 489 50.9%
2023 58.08 178th 481 63.0%
2024 74.49 74th 469 84.2%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Putnam Avenue Upper School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 44.11 272nd 463 41.3%
2019 36.16 328th 478 31.4%
2021 55.39 196th 483 59.4%
2022 53.83 199th 494 59.7%
2023 61.80 162nd 489 66.9%
2024 78.41 98th 481 79.6%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Putnam Avenue Upper School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 48.76 172nd 417 58.8%
2019 36.19 251st 424 40.8%
2021 50.28 155th 431 64.0%
2022 40.06 221st 445 50.3%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Putnam Avenue Upper School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 41.41 274th 466 41.2%
2019 32.55 327th 478 31.6%
2021 52.82 206th 485 57.5%
2022 61.07 170th 497 65.8%
2023 64.72 152nd 489 68.9%
2024 73.00 112th 483 76.8%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Tested In Person students at Putnam Avenue Upper School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 61.00 174th 491 64.6%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Tested In Person Students!

Rank History for Tested Remotely students at Putnam Avenue Upper School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 50.53 142nd 339 58.1%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Tested Remotely Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Putnam Avenue Upper School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 25.90 101st 128 21.1%
2021 32.33 84th 123 31.7%
2022 43.28 83rd 135 38.5%
2023 44.37 84th 134 37.3%
2024 47.94 74th 120 38.3%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Putnam Avenue Upper School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 41.45 102nd 172 40.7%
2019 50.30 87th 195 55.4%
2021 54.78 69th 193 64.2%
2022 63.69 57th 212 73.1%
2023 56.98 76th 209 63.6%
2024 73.06 32nd 202 84.2%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Putnam Avenue Upper School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 58.79 104th 309 66.3%
2019 32.22 226th 322 29.8%
2022 34.73 231st 368 37.2%
2024 78.72 57th 378 84.9%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Putnam Avenue Upper School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 67.81 108th 395 72.7%
2019 36.58 261st 396 34.1%
2021 54.63 163rd 401 59.4%
2022 54.66 168th 404 58.4%
2023 69.29 102nd 403 74.7%
2024 77.86 73rd 392 81.4%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Putnam Avenue Upper School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 2.3)
25%

0%

0%

25%

50%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Thursday, December 5, 2019

Open Quote This school is unequipped to teach students interested in learning. Teachers spend more time with discipline than education. The principal is a poor leader, and it shows in the overall culture of the school. We pulled our child out after one year, and we never allowed our younger child to set foot in the school. Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, November 1, 2019

Open Quote Great School! We love it! Close Quote


by a parent
Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Open Quote Poor role models in the administration. Teachers acting like children and LOTS of bullying not being handled. Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, January 10, 2019

Open Quote God help these children. A few strong teachers and massive facilities investment but a continuingly lousy result. Too much back slapping and not enough concerted effort on real acheivement. A shamefully perfunctory education is the result. I understand this is an urban school but this is an urban country and we all must do better and demand better. More meaningful discipline for the children and more professionalism shown by the teachers would be a welcome start to remedying this Swiss cheese block of a school. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Putnam Avenue Upper School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2013 70 96 37 30 0 1 7 0 241
2014 71 99 29 37 1 0 9 0 246
2015 63 96 25 30 2 1 9 0 226
2016 70 95 25 39 3 2 15 0 249
2017 67 94 28 46 1 3 23 0 262
2018 68 92 28 47 1 1 26 0 263
2019 70 98 38 38 0 1 26 0 271
2020 77 83 40 39 1 1 23 0 264
2021 72 88 35 32 2 1 30 1 261
2022 72 84 37 34 4 0 31 0 262
2023 66 77 40 31 3 0 34 0 251
2024 79 73 51 27 1 0 39 0 270

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Putnam Avenue Upper School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2013 241 24.6 9.7 59.3
2014 246 29.8 8.2 62.6
2015 226 28.0 8.0 65
2016 249 33.0 7.5 n/a
2017 262 30.4 8.6 n/a
2018 263 33.1 7.9 n/a
2019 271 34.1 7.9 n/a
2020 264 36.2 7.2 n/a
2021 261 35.2 7.3 n/a
2022 262 35.7 7.3 n/a
2023 251 36.9 6.8 n/a
2024 270 35.3 7.6 n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Putnam Avenue Upper School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2013 241 24.6 9.7 59.3
2014 246 29.8 8.2 62.6
2015 226 28.0 8.0 65
2016 249 33.0 7.5 n/a
2017 262 30.4 8.6 n/a
2018 263 33.1 7.9 n/a
2019 271 34.1 7.9 n/a
2020 264 36.2 7.2 n/a
2021 261 35.2 7.3 n/a
2022 262 35.7 7.3 n/a
2023 251 36.9 6.8 n/a
2024 270 35.3 7.6 n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Putnam Avenue Upper School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $151 (0.5%) $29,134 (99.5%) $29,285
2020 $622 (2.0%) $30,276 (98.0%) $30,898
2021 $938 (2.8%) $33,151 (97.2%) $34,089

Data source: Massachusetts Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Putnam Avenue Upper School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 328th of 498 Middle schoolsRanks 155th of 501 Middle schools
 34.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Putnam Avenue Upper School)5062.8
 12.8%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Cambridge)5554.6
 0.4%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Massachusetts)5442.3
 11.7%
6th Grade Mathematics (Putnam Avenue Upper School)3048.1
 18.1%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Cambridge)4546.6
 1.6%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Massachusetts)5141
 10%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Putnam Avenue Upper School)4744.7
 2.3%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Cambridge)4956.8
 7.8%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Massachusetts)4840.5
 7.5%
7th Grade Mathematics (Putnam Avenue Upper School)4144.6
 3.6%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Cambridge)5044.7
 5.3%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Massachusetts)4838.1
 9.9%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Putnam Avenue Upper School)4653.1
 7.1%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Cambridge)6155.3
 5.7%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Massachusetts)5143.7
 7.3%
8th Grade Mathematics (Putnam Avenue Upper School)2839.5
 11.5%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Cambridge)5546.5
 8.5%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Massachusetts)4737.7
 9.3%
8th Grade Science (Putnam Avenue Upper School)2931.3
 2.3%
   8th Grade Science (Cambridge)4543
 2%
   8th Grade Science (Massachusetts)4640.9
 5.1%
All Grades English Language Arts (Putnam Avenue Upper School)4753.6
 6.6%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Cambridge)6058.6
 1.4%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Massachusetts)5242.3
 9.7%
All Grades Mathematics (Putnam Avenue Upper School)3244
 12%
   All Grades Mathematics (Cambridge)5353.4
 0.3%
   All Grades Mathematics (Massachusetts)4940.6
 8.4%
All Grades Science (Putnam Avenue Upper School)2931.3
 2.3%
   All Grades Science (Cambridge)4950.8
 1.8%
   All Grades Science (Massachusetts)4741.2
 5.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students271251
 7.4%
African American9877
 21.4%
American Indian03
Asian3840
 5.3%
Hispanic3831
 18.4%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White7066
 5.7%
Two or More Races2634
 30.8%


Schools Near Putnam Avenue Upper School









Frequently Asked Questions about Putnam Avenue Upper School

Putnam Avenue Upper School ranks 107th of 493 Massachusetts middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Students who attend Putnam Avenue Upper School usually go on to attend Cambridge Rindge and Latin

In the 2023-24 school year, 270 students attended Putnam Avenue Upper School.

Students at Putnam Avenue Upper School are 29% White, 27% African American, 19% Asian, 14% Two or more races, 10% Hispanic.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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