For Immediate Release – October 24, 2025
Arlington Public Schools Continue Upward Trajectory in State Accountability Results
Arlington, MA — Arlington Public Schools (APS) is proud to announce strong 2025 outcomes in the annual reporting of Massachusetts School Accountability. APS was classified as “Not Requiring Assistance or Intervention” and “Meeting or Exceeding Targets” for overall district performance.
In a year when statewide outcomes declined, Arlington’s achievement and growth improved across nearly every grade level and student group. The district met or exceeded the state’s 2024 targets in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, and Science, and was recognized by the state last month for meeting and exceeding pre-pandemic outcomes. For all subgroups that did not fully meet academic targets, each still demonstrated measurable improvement towards targets.
Highlights of 2025 Performance
- 79% cumulative progress toward state improvement targets (up from 74% in 2024).
- Achievement and growth increased in all three tested subjects: ELA, Math, and Science.
- Bishop Elementary, Dallin Elementary, Peirce Elementary, and Ottoson Middle School ranked above the 90th percentile statewide, among the top-performing public schools in Massachusetts.
- Dallin Elementary School achieved the State’s highest recognition for schools as a School of Recognition.
Why Arlington Continues to Succeed
APS’s progress is the result of strong community support for sustained investments in teaching, learning, and operational systems that empower educators and students alike.
- Stronger Literacy Foundation: Full implementation of the EL Education K–5 literacy curriculum has improved reading growth and engagement by connecting students to complex, grade-level texts that build background knowledge and vocabulary.
- Protected Time on Learning: Systemwide schedules prioritize uninterrupted instructional time while expanding access to service providers who support diverse learning needs.
- Expanded Access to Desired Learning Opportunities: APS has significantly expanded access for all students to extracurriculars and advanced coursework, among other immersive learning experiences that build student connections to school.
- Collaborative Systems: APS has built structures for team collaboration and shared problem-solving, enabling teachers to reflect, adjust, and plan together—mirroring the habits we want students to develop.
- Competitive Pay, Strong Workforce: Newly negotiated teacher and paraprofessional contracts, which were possible due to community support, ensure competitive pay, attracting and retaining highly qualified educators while reducing turnover and unfilled positions.
Figure 1. Advanced Coursework Completion, 2024–2025
The percentage of high school students completing advanced coursework increased from 83.8% to 86.7%, with notable gains for high-needs and students with disabilities.
Looking Ahead: Building on Success
As APS celebrates another year of progress, district leaders remain focused on sustaining and expanding success through equity-driven improvement work.
Next Steps
- Plan with success in mind. Identify where investments and supports are having the strongest impact and expand those strategies.
- Build systems of support. Strengthen MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) implementation to better address academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs. This is central to the district’s goals for the 2025-26 school year.
- Interrogate barriers. Examine how structures or practices may contribute to inequities or blocked opportunities—and remove them.
Deepen authentic learning. Expand opportunities for students to demonstrate “deeper learning” through civic projects, showcases, and creative problem-solving experience that connect learning to real-world impact.
“These results are a testament to the dedication of our educators and the resilience of our students. We are proud to see continued growth, and even more pleased to see that we are closing opportunity gaps for all students, regardless of their needs and backgrounds. Arlington continues to demonstrate what’s possible when a community invests in strong teaching, collaboration, and high expectations for all learners.” - Dr. Homan, Superintendent of Schools
Media Contact:
Office of Communications and Family Engagement
[email protected]
Arlington Public Schools | Arlington, Massachusetts
Download the 2025 Outcomes press release at the link below.