2024 Best School Districts in Essex County

• Lynnfield, MA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.9 out of 5  10 reviews

Senior: Lynnfield High has a very home like feel. The town is small, and so is the school. Walking around you know everybody and everybody knows you, it and makes for a friendly and fun environment, that is also good space for learning.... Read 10 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 5

• Students 2,167

• Marblehead, MA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.07 out of 5  27 reviews

Senior: They have so much to offer like athletics, clubs and other. The principal is personable and knows everyone's name. It is not very diverse but I hope the town can continue to grow in this way. The teachers are caring and focused on getting the seniors ready for college. I feel well prepared for college.... Read 27 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 5

• Students 2,601

• Andover, MA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.93 out of 5  59 reviews

Senior: The Andover Public School system includes rigorous education for students of all levels. The faculty is very talented, and has passion for their jobs-- they do a great job watching out for the student body. One of my biggest critiques of the system is that the high school is far to small for the population of students. This leads to crammed classes and hallways. This was a big problem during the pandemic, because it was hard to make proper space for social distancing. Something the school system does well is preparing students for college through the tougher than average courses. AP and honors teachers hold students to a high standard, with the explanation of preparing students for college. The athletics are top-tier at Andover, and many of the sports teams make it to the state playoffs every year. For example, the girl's basketball team is currently undefeated and in the final four of the playoffs. The student culture is amazing, and "Andover Pride" is incredibly strong.... Read 59 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 10

• Students 5,456

• Boxford, MA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.74 out of 5  19 reviews

Senior: Masco has really nice infrastructure and some awesome teachers. While most of the kids are very snobby or self centered, there are enough chill people to have some close friends and whatnot. Some teachers are terrible, but only a select few, the rest are at least either nice people or good teachers. The food is pretty good, a lot of variety but not anything to write home about. The four star rating is mainly because of the extracurricular and sports at masco, so that’s cool.... Read 19 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 2

• Students 1,642

• Swampscott, MA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.63 out of 5  8 reviews

Senior: Great Blue Ribbon School! Plenty to offer if you put yourself out there, or get involved you can always find something to do. Sports are great too. Soccer, Football, Flag Football, Hockey, Lacrosse, Basketball, Track & Field. PTF is involved, teacher liaisons for each grade to help with fundraising and activities.... Read 8 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 5

• Students 2,041

• Manchester, MA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.4 out of 5  15 reviews

Alum: I was a student that spent K-12 in this school district and definitely think that it provides a great education for students that are a certain type of learner. The school practically breeds college shaming as a large majority goes to private universities that their families can pay tuition for. The town is small and extremely gentrified, there are minimal affordable housing programs. Diversity wise I was apart of the small LGBT representation at the school and felt isolated a lot of the time, often treated as the token gay kid. In my time there ('19) there was a .5% diversity rate. A large majority of funding goes to sports to the point where the art department is almost nonexistent. We have a beautiful theatre yet the theatre department gets no funding. You will do well at this school if you are a smart, straight, attractive student whos good at sports. I did well socially but academically was not given the same treatment or opportunities that honor and AP students had.... Read 15 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 4

• Students 1,250

• North Andover, MA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.87 out of 5  31 reviews

Senior: I have had a great experience at North Andover. The teachers have been very supportive of my academic goals and encouraged me to work to achieve my dreams. I have been able to challenge myself in various academic areas by taking courses such as Anatomy and Physiology and Honors Spanish, as well as AP US History and AP Language. Overall, I have had a very positive experience.... Read 31 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 8

• Students 4,493

• Wenham, MA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.13 out of 5  8 reviews

Senior: High stress environment, but overall really good school with helpful teachers, nice students, and lots of resources for success. Hard but helps you become very well prepared for college.... Read 8 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 5

• Students 1,684

• Newburyport, MA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.22 out of 5  9 reviews

Senior: Newburyport schools don't get me wrong as a very good school, but it definitely could be better. I don't want to talk bad about it but there isn't a good accountability system set up for kids who break rules and go against and cause discrimination within our school and it's definitely affected me and a lot of my close friends.... Read 9 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 4

• Students 2,150

• Ipswich, MA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.1 out of 5  10 reviews

Parent: In Ipswich, though it is a small town, we gave two elementary schools which nice adults the opportunity to create relationships with students. Staff are knowledgeable and caring. The middle school and high school are in one larger building and share some resources. The middle school creates clusters to make the school smaller and more structured for middle schoolers entering a larger school for the first time and also while they are undergoing many social and emotional changes. There is increasing diversity in the schools, and some English language learners land here but there is room for much more.... Read 10 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 4

• Students 1,628

• Danvers, MA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.73 out of 5  11 reviews

Parent: My experience with the Danvers public schools has been very positive. I really like the vast and wide array of opportunities that are provided to all the students to learn and grow. For example, the Deca business program was one of these opportunities that my son took advantage of and has sparked his interest in business as a potential college path.... Read 11 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 7

• Students 3,217

• Beverly, MA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.14 out of 5  22 reviews

Senior: I was only in the Beverly Public School system for high school so that's what my rating is based on. Overall my experience was good, in my earlier years the food was pretty good and I was assigned mostly good teachers with a few great ones sprinkled in! However, in the past year or two things have gone downhill a little; the food has gotten really bad, good teachers are leaving (especially the ones in the sciences), and the class sizes are growing a lot.... Read 22 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 8

• Students 4,636

• Rockport, MA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.55 out of 5  11 reviews

Alum: Some great teachers and staff, some okay lessons, and a lot of kids living in a bubble. Great community if you are in it, not great for outsiders. Functions as a pretty normal public school. The town is very small and it follows the small-town stereotypes. The school is great at catering a unique schedule to passionate students. Rockport schools may not have much to offer when it comes to a variety of subjects but online classes are offered and the relationships built between student and educator are irreplaceable.... Read 11 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 3

• Students 748

• Methuen, MA•

• School District

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  Rating 4 out of 5  33 reviews

Senior: Methuen High School is a school filled with teachers who enjoy there job and wanting students to feel accomplished and attain a well balanced education which makes the learning experience better. There is a prayer for us Muslim students to be able to comfortably pray in. The staff is constantly open and learning about the different religions, traditions, and cultures to embrace. The school has many low and high level classes to gather students to learn causing me to feel well prepared for college due to vast variety of various Advance Placement classes I’ve taken. Although the staff is very caring some students tend to do behavior that isn’t school appropriate causing many to feel unsafe. After various acts of violence by student many feel that other precautions should be installed such as cameras. The school consists of a well balanced education and a diverse community to help make students feel comfortable but they can invest more into the safety aspect.... Read 33 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 5

• Students 6,439

• Amesbury, MA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.13 out of 5  8 reviews

Senior: Mostly good, the school and teachers seem to genuinely care for the students and it is typically a tight knit environment. Sports are ok but some of the more competitive ones are basically just politics which is obnoxious.... Read 8 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 5

• Students 1,797

• West Newbury, MA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.86 out of 5  7 reviews

Alum: I grew up in West Newbury and my family moved to the town to specifically attend its elementary school. I went to the Page school for elementary (2005-2012). I had the most wonderful experience and the teachers truly care about the well-being of their students and foster an environment for success. I then attended Pentucket Middle School (2012-2014) and also had a good experience there. I felt well-prepared for high school and the majority of my teachers were amazing. Finally I attended Pentucket Regional High School (2014-2018) and had a great 4 years. I was easily able to get involved in sports and other extra curriculars and the majority of my teachers were fantastic. I felt more than prepared to go to college and was definitely set up for success.... Read 7 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 6

• Students 2,210

• Gloucester, MA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.86 out of 5  7 reviews

Parent: GPS had the sense of community that I wanted for my children. The teachers are amazing and helped my senior through a very tough senior year, dealing with the chaos of Covid-19... Read 7 reviews

• grade B

• Total schools 8

• Students 2,833

• Georgetown, MA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.92 out of 5  13 reviews

Alum: Good middle and high school education with some great teachers who care about their students. Students may have the same teachers throughout middle and high school, allowing them create strong student teacher bonds. Financial literacy courses are required for graduation, which seemed stupid at the time but turned out to be extremely beneficial. These courses go over things like searching estimated salaries for potential college majors, and how to pay for college and apply for different scholarships.... Read 13 reviews

• grade B minus

• Total schools 4

• Students 1,276

• Salem, MA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.9 out of 5  30 reviews

Parent: I had options with where to send my daughter and I ended up choosing Salem Public and I am so glad I did. Salem has offered my daughter a safe environment where she can comfortably express and explore all aspects of her identity and personality in way that enhances her educational experience instead of detracting from it. Salem's greatest strength as a district is how it embraces it's diversity in staff, faculty and students and engages with it's community in a way that fosters a healthy educational environment for all it's kids.... Read 30 reviews

• grade B minus

• Total schools 11

• Students 3,665

• Peabody, MA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.3 out of 5  10 reviews

Alum: I learned more than just arithmetic and language arts while in the Peabody Public Schools - I learned about having good character. I was taught to be respectful and had a great relationship with my teachers. The faculty I crossed paths were remain in my life even after graduation. I know I can rely on them if I ever need a letter of recommendation or some advice. I keep in contact with them and will forever appreciate what I've learned from them.... Read 10 reviews

• grade C+

• Total schools 11

• Students 5,881

• Haverhill, MA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.05 out of 5  19 reviews

Parent: I have moved from South Carolina to here. Overall, this has been the best experience I ever had with the public school system. The process was smooth and straightforward. Plus, it was easy. Teachers are respectful. My son has been showing more progression than any of the schools he has been to.... Read 19 reviews

• grade C+

• Total schools 17

• Students 7,738

• Byfield, MA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.07 out of 5  14 reviews

Junior: I have learned a lot at this school. In general, the staff are excellent- they excel at teaching and are very professional. They are committed to their job and to their students. Additionally, there are many fun activities and students who attend this school, especially in in the arts department. However this is not a very diverse school in any regard.... Read 14 reviews

• grade C+

• Total schools 5

• Students 2,217

• Lynn, MA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.62 out of 5  47 reviews

Senior: My experience at Lynn Public Schools was very good! I met amazing teachers, counselors, and peers that have inspired me everyday! I was academically challenged but also supported. The only thing I would change is the way different type of students are supported! Having the faculty learn what intersectionality is and how it affects every student at our school is very important! In a city filled with a great diversity in their schools, it is important to acknowledge the different struggles every student goes through. Sometimes the traditional school system, rather limits a student than helps them succeed.... Read 47 reviews

• grade C

• Total schools 25

• Students 15,727

• Saugus, MA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.38 out of 5  13 reviews

Alum: I graduated from Saugus High School 3 years ago and I can honestly say that the education I received really helped me. I had amazing teachers who were dedicated to teach us and help us strive in all aspects. My guidance counselor was there for me throughout the college application process and without her help I wouldn't be in college right now. Taking a few AP courses really prepared me for the college transition. Saugus High offered me all the ressources I needed to grow, cultural organizations, community service opportunities. It definitely shaped my future!... Read 13 reviews

• grade C

• Total schools 4

• Students 2,436

• Lawrence, MA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.81 out of 5  59 reviews

Alum: I spend the last 3 years of my high school experience, and it was amazing; I got to make a lot of connections with the teachers and staff. Also, their Gear Up program helped me with my college applications and looking for scholarships. I hope that every student that is able to choose which school go to for the last 4 years before college I recommend Lawrence High School.... Read 59 reviews

• grade C

• Total schools 26

• Students 12,786