Needham High

Summary:

Needham High is a public high school serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 1,645 students. Located in Needham, Massachusetts, the school is part of the Needham School District, which is ranked 26th out of 351 districts in the state and has a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Needham High consistently ranks among the top high schools in Massachusetts, ranking 17th out of 348 schools in the 2023-2024 school year. The school's MCAS proficiency rates are significantly higher than the state averages across all subject areas, including English Language Arts (86.37% vs. 56.86%), Mathematics (86.49% vs. 48.47%), and Science (78.86% vs. 49.26%). Needham High also has an exceptionally high four-year graduation rate of 99.5% and an extremely low dropout rate of 0.0%, both of which are significantly better than the state averages.

While Lyon High School and Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter Public School have much lower MCAS proficiency rates and graduation rates compared to Needham High, the school's student population is less racially diverse. Needham High's performance is particularly strong for its Asian, Hispanic, and White student subgroups, ranking among the top 20 schools in the state for these groups. The school's higher per-student spending and lower student-teacher ratio likely contribute to its strong academic performance and student outcomes.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 609 Webster Street
       Needham, MA  02494


(781) 455-0800

District: Needham

SchoolDigger Rank:
17th of 348 Massachusetts High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $18,921 Help


Feeder schools for Needham High:

Elementary:    Broadmeadow
    John Eliot
    Newman Elementary
    Sunita L. Williams Elementary
    More...
Middle:    High Rock School
    Pollard Middle

Student/teacher ratio:  12.5 Help
Number of students:  1,645

Racial breakdown:

White:
77.1%
Hispanic:
7.8%
Asian:
7.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  10.7% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Needham High ranks better than 95.1% of high schools in Massachusetts. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 93.75. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Needham High who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
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The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (77.1%), Hispanic (7.8%), Asian (7.6%). (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Needham High is 12.5. (See more...)
Help
Compare Needham High employs 131.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Needham High is $18,921.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Needham High:

SchoolDigger ranks Needham High 17th of 348 Massachusetts public high schools. (See Needham High in the ranking list.)

High 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:


Needham:

SchoolDigger ranks Needham 26th of 351 Massachusetts school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Needham High

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Needham High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 90.39 22nd 304 92.8%
2004 89.46 22nd 307 92.8%
2005 88.54 24th 311 92.3%
2006 89.89 11th 314 96.5%
2007 89.12 11th 316 96.5%
2008 88.73 17th 319 94.7%
2009 86.98 16th 322 95.0%
2010 80.38 56th 335 83.3%
2011 83.18 26th 340 92.4%
2012 80.79 37th 340 89.1%
2013 81.11 27th 344 92.2%
2014 80.33 31st 347 91.1%
2015 80.93 28th 354 92.1%
2016 79.93 38th 351 89.2%
2017 80.80 35th 348 89.9%
2018 81.01 38th 345 89.0%
2019 85.45 35th 351 90.0%
2021 89.66 15th 285 94.7%
2022 93.29 17th 342 95.0%
2023 89.88 41st 347 88.2%
2024 93.75 17th 348 95.1%
See the entire list of Massachusetts High School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Needham High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 69.34 25th 55 54.5%
2019 82.22 13th 58 77.6%
2021 89.46 1st 33 97.0%
2022 83.14 15th 78 80.8%
2023 80.52 18th 82 78.0%
2024 89.87 10th 87 88.5%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Needham High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 80.25 55th 344 84.0%
2019 80.63 48th 348 86.2%
2021 85.36 26th 268 90.3%
2022 89.87 26th 339 92.3%
2023 96.66 13th 301 95.7%
2024 97.83 11th 289 96.2%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Needham High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 82.60 40th 330 87.9%
2019 68.90 87th 330 73.6%
2021 79.76 29th 253 88.5%
2022 88.51 28th 332 91.6%
2023 64.00 114th 338 66.3%
2024 78.58 63rd 338 81.4%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Needham High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 80.73 38th 339 88.8%
2019 84.57 36th 342 89.5%
2021 88.69 16th 281 94.3%
2022 90.33 23rd 340 93.2%
2023 87.41 43rd 339 87.3%
2024 93.54 13th 342 96.2%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Needham High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 88.42 34th 299 88.6%
2019 92.16 22nd 299 92.6%
2021 94.49 9th 202 95.5%
2022 96.39 13th 295 95.6%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Needham High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 81.71 43rd 343 87.5%
2019 86.44 29th 346 91.6%
2021 89.83 16th 281 94.3%
2022 94.94 12th 339 96.5%
2023 90.83 34th 343 90.1%
2024 93.05 21st 342 93.9%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Needham High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 75.45 16th 91 82.4%
2019 70.50 41st 97 57.7%
2021 79.33 13th 68 80.9%
2022 79.15 18th 93 80.6%
2023 83.73 4th 96 95.8%
2024 82.03 16th 98 83.7%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Needham High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 84.47 15th 134 88.8%
2024 84.50 21st 160 86.9%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Needham High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 91.27 9th 193 95.3%
2019 93.70 12th 206 94.2%
2021 91.02 11th 149 92.6%
2022 97.67 3rd 217 98.6%
2023 89.96 26th 241 89.2%
2024 93.95 18th 249 92.8%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Needham High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 78.06 54th 303 82.2%
2019 83.92 39th 302 87.1%
2021 88.76 16th 249 93.6%
2022 92.40 18th 300 94.0%
2023 85.18 48th 301 84.1%
2024 92.88 16th 302 94.7%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High 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.

Needham High 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: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
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Enrollment information for Needham High

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 1141 35 37 11 0 n/a n/a 0 1224
1989 1021 34 41 9 0 n/a n/a 0 1105
1990 907 30 44 9 0 n/a n/a 0 990
1991 906 29 43 9 0 n/a n/a 0 987
1992 880 33 38 10 0 n/a n/a 0 961
1993 871 40 40 11 0 n/a n/a 0 962
1994 882 39 33 15 0 n/a n/a 0 969
1995 940 44 35 17 0 n/a n/a 0 1036
1996 940 44 35 17 0 n/a n/a 0 1036
1997 986 44 38 14 0 n/a n/a 0 1082
1998 1038 58 52 16 0 n/a n/a 0 1164
1999 1035 42 57 20 0 n/a n/a 0 1154
2000 1065 49 62 14 0 n/a n/a 0 1190
2001 1100 36 58 20 0 n/a n/a 0 1214
2002 1201 50 69 25 0 n/a n/a 0 1345
2003 1201 50 69 25 0 n/a n/a 0 1345
2004 1222 46 74 33 0 n/a n/a 0 1375
2005 1262 47 73 37 1 n/a n/a 0 1420
2006 1232 42 21 47 0 n/a n/a 56 1398
2007 1263 34 43 44 0 n/a n/a 40 1424
2008 1227 36 55 36 0 n/a n/a 31 1385
2009 1244 33 67 25 0 2 29 0 1400
2010 1266 37 68 29 1 0 33 0 1434
2011 1248 39 81 30 1 1 33 0 1433
2012 1302 36 82 38 1 0 44 0 1503
2013 1333 40 96 53 2 0 38 0 1562
2014 1337 47 99 57 1 0 41 0 1582
2015 1351 49 103 70 0 1 40 0 1614
2016 1362 59 121 77 1 1 43 0 1664
2017 1340 57 127 83 1 1 50 0 1659
2018 1358 49 139 82 0 1 56 1 1686
2019 1368 45 150 78 2 0 74 1 1718
2020 1322 35 136 83 2 1 77 2 1658
2021 1311 32 144 91 2 2 82 6 1670
2022 1287 32 141 110 2 2 83 12 1669
2023 1268 32 125 129 0 1 78 12 1645

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 Needham High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1224 n/a n/a n/a
1989 1105 n/a n/a n/a
1990 990 n/a n/a n/a
1991 987 n/a n/a n/a
1992 961 n/a n/a n/a
1993 962 n/a 0.0 n/a
1994 969 n/a n/a n/a
1995 1036 n/a 0.0 n/a
1996 1036 n/a 0.0 n/a
1997 1082 n/a 0.0 n/a
1998 1164 n/a 0.0 n/a
1999 1154 n/a 0.0 1.9
2000 1190 n/a 0.0 1.3
2001 1214 n/a 0.0 1.3
2002 1345 n/a n/a 1.2
2003 1345 n/a n/a 1.2
2004 1375 103.0 13.3 2.8
2005 1420 116.2 12.2 3.4
2006 1398 99.9 14.0 4.4
2007 1424 100.0 14.2 3.3
2008 1385 99.1 14.0 2.9
2009 1400 100.2 14.0 3.3
2010 1434 100.2 14.3 4.7
2011 1433 98.8 14.4 5.2
2012 1503 102.1 14.7 6
2013 1562 105.1 14.8 6.8
2014 1582 104.5 15.1 7.3
2015 1614 111.0 14.5 10.7
2016 1664 118.0 14.1 n/a
2017 1659 121.5 13.6 n/a
2018 1686 124.5 13.5 n/a
2019 1718 125.6 13.6 n/a
2020 1658 126.8 13.0 n/a
2021 1670 123.2 13.5 n/a
2022 1669 129.8 12.8 n/a
2023 1645 131.5 12.5 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 Needham High

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1224 n/a n/a n/a
1989 1105 n/a n/a n/a
1990 990 n/a n/a n/a
1991 987 n/a n/a n/a
1992 961 n/a n/a n/a
1993 962 n/a 0.0 n/a
1994 969 n/a n/a n/a
1995 1036 n/a 0.0 n/a
1996 1036 n/a 0.0 n/a
1997 1082 n/a 0.0 n/a
1998 1164 n/a 0.0 n/a
1999 1154 n/a 0.0 1.9
2000 1190 n/a 0.0 1.3
2001 1214 n/a 0.0 1.3
2002 1345 n/a n/a 1.2
2003 1345 n/a n/a 1.2
2004 1375 103.0 13.3 2.8
2005 1420 116.2 12.2 3.4
2006 1398 99.9 14.0 4.4
2007 1424 100.0 14.2 3.3
2008 1385 99.1 14.0 2.9
2009 1400 100.2 14.0 3.3
2010 1434 100.2 14.3 4.7
2011 1433 98.8 14.4 5.2
2012 1503 102.1 14.7 6
2013 1562 105.1 14.8 6.8
2014 1582 104.5 15.1 7.3
2015 1614 111.0 14.5 10.7
2016 1664 118.0 14.1 n/a
2017 1659 121.5 13.6 n/a
2018 1686 124.5 13.5 n/a
2019 1718 125.6 13.6 n/a
2020 1658 126.8 13.0 n/a
2021 1670 123.2 13.5 n/a
2022 1669 129.8 12.8 n/a
2023 1645 131.5 12.5 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 Needham High

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $51 (0.3%) $17,068 (99.7%) $17,119
2020 $54 (0.3%) $17,520 (99.7%) $17,574
2021 $162 (0.9%) $18,759 (99.1%) $18,920

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Needham High

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 35th of 351 High schoolsRanks 41st of 347 High schools
 1.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
10th Grade English Language Arts (Needham High)8584
 1%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Needham)8482.2
 1.8%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Massachusetts)6158.2
 2.8%
10th Grade Mathematics (Needham High)8990
 1%
   10th Grade Mathematics (Needham)8888.3
 0.3%
   10th Grade Mathematics (Massachusetts)5849.7
 8.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students17181645
 4.2%
African American4532
 28.9%
American Indian20
 100%
Asian150125
 16.7%
Hispanic78129
 65.4%
Pacific Islander01
White13681268
 7.3%
Two or More Races7478
 5.4%


Schools Near Needham High









Frequently Asked Questions about Needham High

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,645 students attended Needham High.

Yes! Needham High is one of the best high schools in the state. It ranks 17th of 348 Massachusetts high schools.

Needham High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Broadmeadow
Elementary : John Eliot
Elementary : Newman Elementary
Elementary : Sunita L. Williams Elementary
Elementary : William Mitchell
Middle : High Rock School
Middle : Pollard Middle

Students at Needham High are 77% White, 8% Hispanic, 8% Asian, 5% Two or more races, 2% African American.


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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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