Back to School in Boston and the South Shore: Your Complete Back to School Guide for 2025
- Amanda George
- Jul 30
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 15
By: Amanda George, Realtor, George Group Boston | Back to School in Boston and the South Shore: Your Complete Back to School Guide for 2025
As the new school year approaches, families across Massachusetts are preparing not just with fresh notebooks and backpacks—but also with important decisions about neighborhoods, commutes, and the quality of local schools. For parents, choosing the right district can be just as important as choosing the right home.
That’s why I’ve put together Your Complete Back to School 2025 Guide, complete with Massachusetts school district rankings for all 351 public school districts in the state, plus practical tips for families in Boston, the South Shore, and surrounding suburbs.
Massachusetts School District Rankings (2024-2025 Edition)
Massachusetts continues to rank as the #1 public school system in the country, and local rankings show where each district stands.
To help you make informed decisions, I’ve linked the full ranking list of all 351 Massachusetts school districts here.
Quick Highlights:
Top Performers: Hopkinton, Carlisle, Wellesley, Lexington, Hingham, Westwood, and Duxbury continue to lead.
Strong Suburban Choices: Milton (#39), Needham (#41), Canton (#71), Braintree (#73), Norwell (#42).
Developing Districts: Weymouth (#202), Malden (#242), Medford (#225).
Urban Opportunities: Boston (#305), Randolph (#293), Brockton (#327) are focusing on major improvement plans and funding initiatives.
Whether you’re moving into a new district or staying put, these rankings give valuable insight into how each community is performing.
What Back to School Means for Families
For parents in Greater Boston and the South Shore, the school year impacts everything from housing choices to daily routines. Here’s how to set your family up for success in 2025:
1. Re‑Establish Routines
Start adjusting bedtime and morning schedules in mid‑August to make the transition smoother.
2. Plan Supplies Early
Districts like Quincy, Braintree, and Needham publish supply lists online—grab them early to avoid shortages.
3. Review Transportation Options
Boston & East Boston: MBTA Blue and Red Lines, plus school bus routing via ParentSquare and Zūm.
South Shore Towns (Quincy, Weymouth, Randolph, Braintree): Commuter rail + carpools are common.
Suburban Communities (Westwood, Canton, Milton, Hingham, Duxbury): Many families rely on local school bus systems and carpools.
4. Create a Homework Zone
Dedicate a quiet, well-lit space at home for schoolwork. For multi-family homes in Dorchester, Brockton, or Randolph, shared common spaces can be organized with charging stations and noise-reducing setups.
5. Connect Locally
Parent groups in towns like Hingham, Westwood, and Needham are fantastic for sharing resources, after‑school activities, and sports sign-ups.
Why School Rankings Matter in Real Estate
As a Realtor with over 13 years of experience, I can tell you that school quality directly impacts home values. Buyers consistently pay a premium for homes in top-ranked school districts, and towns like Hingham, Milton, and Westwood have historically seen higher appreciation rates.
Even in districts ranked lower today, upcoming development, rezoning, and school improvement plans can make these areas smart investment opportunities.
Ready to Find the Right Neighborhood for Your Family?
Choosing a home in the right school district is one of the most important decisions a family can make. Whether you’re looking in Boston, Quincy, Randolph, Milton, Braintree, Weymouth, Brockton, or top-tier suburbs like Westwood, Hingham, and Duxbury—I can help you navigate both the housing market and the school landscape.
📞 Ready to talk real estate in Greater Boston or the South Shore?
Let’s connect: amanda@georgegroupboston.com | www.georgegroupboston.com
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Sources: Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, SchoolDigger.com 2024–25 Rankings, Niche.com 2025 Best School Districts, Boston Public Schools Back-to-School Resources, Boston25 News Education Report. Randolph public schools, quincy public schools, milton public schools, canton public schools, braintree public schools, hanover public schools, hingham public schools, weymouth public schools, woburn public schools, medford public schools, malden public schools, westwood public schools, needham public schools, boston public schools, marshfield public schools, duxbury public schools, brockton public schools, avon public schools, abington public schools.
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