Essex County Schools & Education
Essex County, Massachusetts
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataSchool Score
66/100
Percentile-style score
Score Band
Midrange Signal
Graduation Rate
87.8%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
87.8%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.1%
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,941
National avg $13,239
State avg $13,582
School Score
66/100
Percentile-style score
State avg 72/100
State Score Position
#11
of 14 counties by score
Education Data Brief: Essex County
Measured School Summary
Essex County performs at an average level with a school score of 66/100 and a solid graduation rate of 87.8%.
Funding Context
Essex County spends $11,941 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 8% below the Massachusetts average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 0.3 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 12% lower than the state norm.
School Data Brief
How to read Essex County before comparing districts
County-level education data is best used as a screening layer. It summarizes the local school environment, then points you toward the district and school records that matter for local review.
Local context that changes the interpretation
218 public schools and 41 districts are represented below. Use those school and district records to confirm whether the county-level context fits the neighborhoods you are actually considering.
Overall screen
66/100
Mixed county signal. Ranks #11 of 14 Massachusetts counties with school score data.
Completion
87.8%
0.3 pts below the state average
Funding context
$11,941
$1,641 below the state average
School coverage
218
41 districts represented in the county school list.
Start with measured county context
This county needs a closer look at district mix, school level, and local context. Compare the score, graduation rate, and spending together rather than treating any single metric as final.
Check the local school mix
Essex County has 218 public schools across 41 districts, so school-level fit can vary inside the county.
Verify local rules
Use this page as county-level context, then confirm attendance zones, transportation, special programs, and current school boundaries with local districts.
What Essex County school data means before you move
County averages are useful for screening, but parents choose addresses, grade pathways, and district rules. This brief turns the public data into the checks that matter before you sign a lease or mortgage.
Large multi-district county
Essex County has many school records across many districts. County averages are only the opening screen; neighborhood-level assignment and grade-band fit matter more here.
State position
#11
of 14 Massachusetts counties with school score data. The county score is 6 points below the state average.
Data confidence
Usable
3 of 5 county signals are present, and 100% of listed schools report enrollment. Compare schools, then verify missing fields locally.
K-12 continuity check
These are the largest visible district slices in the county data. They show whether elementary, middle, and high school records appear together or whether a family needs to investigate transition points.
Lynn
Elementary to high school visible
15,433 students
27 listed schools in this county slice.
Lawrence
Elementary to high school visible
12,867 students
26 listed schools in this county slice.
Haverhill
Elementary to high school visible
7,775 students
17 listed schools in this county slice.
Methuen
Elementary and high visible
6,440 students
5 listed schools in this county slice.
District reality check
Lynn is the largest listed district slice, with 27 schools. County pages do not prove address assignment, so verify boundaries with local district tools.
What the data cannot tell you
NCES records do not confirm current attendance zones, private-school options, transfer approvals, program capacity, transportation, or whether a listed school is available to a specific address.
Questions to ask before choosing an address
Which district actually serves the addresses we are considering in Essex County?
Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different Essex County district systems?
What changes at the elementary-to-middle and middle-to-high transitions in the district pathway we would likely use?
Which charter, magnet, or virtual options require a lottery, application window, separate transportation plan, or address eligibility check?
Are the largest listed schools the ones our address can actually attend, or are they only county-level context?
Education Overview
About Schools in Essex County, Massachusetts
This context is screened for neutral school-data wording and should be read alongside the current metrics on this page. It is not school advice.
Extensive Academic Resources in the North Shore
Essex County features a massive education footprint with 218 public schools serving 110,879 students. Organized into 41 districts, the system includes 124 elementary schools and 39 high schools. This wide variety of institutions ensures that every community from the coast to the valley is well-served.
Lynn and Lawrence Drive Regional Enrollment
Lynn and Lawrence are the heavy hitters, managing 27 and 26 schools respectively for a combined 28,300 students. The county also features 9 charter schools, which provide alternative curricula to about 4% of the school population. Haverhill and Methuen also host large districts that serve as anchors for their local communities.
Vibrant Suburban Hubs and Massive Campuses
With 207 schools in suburban locales, the county offers a classic residential school experience with an average size of 509 students. Lawrence High School is a standout for its scale, enrolling over 3,000 students in a single high school setting. Families can choose between these massive urban-suburban hubs or smaller rural outposts.
School Overview
Total Schools
218
in Essex County
Reported Enrollment
110,879
218 schools reporting
School Districts
41
districts
Charter Schools
9
4% of total
School Level Breakdown
41 School Districts in Essex County
Lynn
GuideLawrence
GuideHaverhill
GuideMethuen
GuidePeabody
GuideAndover
GuideBeverly
GuideNorth Andover
GuideSalem
GuideDanvers
218 Public Schools in Essex County
Sorted by reported enrollment. Dedicated profile pages are available for 26 high-enrollment schools; every NCES public school remains listed here.
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataLevel
Showing 20 of 218 matching schools
| School Name | Profile | District | Location | Grades | Type / Flags | Reported Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence High School | Profile | Lawrence | Lawrence, 01843Suburb: Large | 9–12 | High | 3,084 |
| Lynn English High | Profile | Lynn | Lynn, 01902Suburb: Large | 9–12 | High | 2,176 |
| Haverhill High | Profile | Haverhill | Haverhill, 01832Suburb: Large | 9–12 | High | 1,944 |
| Methuen High | Profile | Methuen | Methuen, 01844Suburb: Large | 9–12 | High | 1,916 |
| Classical High | Profile | Lynn | Lynn, 01905Suburb: Large | 9–12 | High | 1,818 |
| Andover High | Profile | Andover | Andover, 01810Suburb: Large | 9–12 | High | 1,702 |
| Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School | Profile | Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School District | Hathorne, 01937Suburb: Large | 9–12 | Vocational | 1,694 |
| Gr Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical | Profile | Greater Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical | Andover, 01810Suburb: Large | 9–12 | Vocational | 1,692 |
| KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School | Profile | KIPP Academy Lynn Charter (District) | Lynn, 01902Suburb: Large | KG–12 | Charter | 1,612 |
| Lynn Vocational Technical Institute | Profile | Lynn | Lynn, 01902Suburb: Large | PK–12 | Vocational | 1,523 |
| Peabody Veterans Memorial High | Profile | Peabody | Peabody, 01960Suburb: Large | 9–12 | High | 1,476 |
| Beverly Middle School | Profile | Beverly | Beverly, 01915Suburb: Large | 5–8 | Middle | 1,367 |
| J Henry Higgins Middle | Profile | Peabody | Peabody, 01960Suburb: Large | 6–8 | Middle | 1,346 |
| North Andover High | Profile | North Andover | North Andover, 01845Suburb: Large | 9–12 | High | 1,336 |
| Beverly High | Profile | Beverly | Beverly, 01915Suburb: Large | 9–12 | High | 1,286 |
| Whittier Regional Vocational | Profile | Whittier Regional Vocational Technical | Haverhill, 01830Rural: Fringe | 9–12 | Vocational | 1,277 |
| Donald P Timony Grammar | Profile | Methuen | Methuen, 01844Suburb: Large | PK–8 | Primary | 1,263 |
| Tenney Grammar School | Profile | Methuen | Methuen, 01844Suburb: Large | PK–8 | Primary | 1,254 |
| Breed Middle School | Profile | Lynn | Lynn, 01905Suburb: Large | 6–8 | Middle | 1,221 |
| Thurgood Marshall Mid | Profile | Lynn | Lynn, 01902Suburb: Large | 6–8 | Middle | 1,215 |
Lawrence High School
Lawrence
Lawrence, 01843 / Suburb: Large
Lynn English High
Lynn
Lynn, 01902 / Suburb: Large
Haverhill High
Haverhill
Haverhill, 01832 / Suburb: Large
Methuen High
Methuen
Methuen, 01844 / Suburb: Large
Classical High
Lynn
Lynn, 01905 / Suburb: Large
Andover High
Andover
Andover, 01810 / Suburb: Large
Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School
Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School District
Hathorne, 01937 / Suburb: Large
Gr Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical
Greater Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical
Andover, 01810 / Suburb: Large
KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School
KIPP Academy Lynn Charter (District)
Lynn, 01902 / Suburb: Large
Lynn Vocational Technical Institute
Lynn
Lynn, 01902 / Suburb: Large
Peabody Veterans Memorial High
Peabody
Peabody, 01960 / Suburb: Large
Beverly Middle School
Beverly
Beverly, 01915 / Suburb: Large
J Henry Higgins Middle
Peabody
Peabody, 01960 / Suburb: Large
North Andover High
North Andover
North Andover, 01845 / Suburb: Large
Beverly High
Beverly
Beverly, 01915 / Suburb: Large
Whittier Regional Vocational
Whittier Regional Vocational Technical
Haverhill, 01830 / Rural: Fringe
Donald P Timony Grammar
Methuen
Methuen, 01844 / Suburb: Large
Tenney Grammar School
Methuen
Methuen, 01844 / Suburb: Large
Breed Middle School
Lynn
Lynn, 01905 / Suburb: Large
Thurgood Marshall Mid
Lynn
Lynn, 01902 / Suburb: Large
Additional School Profiles
Dedicated profile pages are generated for a subset of public schools with broad enrollment coverage. All other schools remain listed in the county table.
Education Funding Detail
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$11,941
State avg $13,582
Compare Nearby Counties
Review Essex County against other counties using the same NCES-backed metrics.
Open CompareBrowse Public Schools
See school-level enrollment, grade ranges, school type, and district affiliation.
View SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
Which Massachusetts counties have the highest graduation rates?
What is per-pupil spending like in Massachusetts?
How should I read the school score in Essex County?
What is the graduation rate in Essex County?
How much does Essex County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Essex County, Massachusetts — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Essex County, Massachusetts?
Essex County features a massive education footprint with 218 public schools serving 110,879 students. Organized into 41 districts, the system includes 124 elementary schools and 39 high schools. This wide variety of institutions ensures that every community from the coast to the valley is well-served.
What are the major school districts in Essex County, Massachusetts?
Lynn and Lawrence are the heavy hitters, managing 27 and 26 schools respectively for a combined 28,300 students. The county also features 9 charter schools, which provide alternative curricula to about 4% of the school population. Haverhill and Methuen also host large districts that serve as anchors for their local communities.
What is the school experience like in Essex County?
With 207 schools in suburban locales, the county offers a classic residential school experience with an average size of 509 students. Lawrence High School is a standout for its scale, enrolling over 3,000 students in a single high school setting. Families can choose between these massive urban-suburban hubs or smaller rural outposts.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.