| Metric | Cambridge Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 6,746 | 3,544 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 17 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $45,625/yr | $17,619/yr | ↑ 159% above avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 8/10 — Good | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge Public Schools (this district) | 8/10 | 77th | 6,746 |
| Somerville Public Schools | 4/10 | 33rd | 4,884 |
| Boston School District | 2/10 | 17th | 46,367 |
| Arlington School District | 10/10 | 93rd | 6,047 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 287 rated districts in MA → 77th percentile → 8/10.
Source: Massachusetts DESE MCAS, grades 3–8 Meeting/Exceeding Expectations, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
- Peabody — 0.3 mi · Grades PK–5 · 314 students
- Rindge Avenue Upper School — 0.3 mi · Grades 6–8 · 292 students
- Graham and Parks — 0.8 mi · Grades PK–5 · 367 students
- Maria L. Baldwin — 1.1 mi · Grades PK–5 · 360 students
- Haggerty — 1.4 mi · Grades PK–5 · 250 students
- Cambridge Rindge and Latin — 1.7 mi · Grades 9–12 · 2,072 students
- Putnam Avenue Upper School — 2.0 mi · Grades 6–8 · 283 students
- John M Tobin — 2.1 mi · Grades PK–5 · 291 students
About Cambridge Public Schools
Cambridge Public Schools is the public school district assigned to zip code 02140 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Serving students from Pre-K – 12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 02140. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 8/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Cambridge Public Schools 8 out of 10 — above average among Massachusetts public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Massachusetts’ MCAS grades 3–8 assessments (2024–25 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Massachusetts is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Cambridge Public Schools earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Massachusetts. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 02140
Children in zip code 02140 are assigned to Cambridge Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 02140, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Cambridge Public Schools at (617)349-6494 or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Massachusetts districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Cambridge
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Cambridge Public Schools serves zip code 02140, district assignment still factors into home-pricing comparisons between zip code 02140 and neighboring areas. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Massachusetts, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Cambridge Public Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 02140.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Cambridge Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 02140 data.