For the 2026 school year, there are 12 blue ribbon public preschools serving 3,574 students in Massachusetts.
Blue ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this national school awards program and how blue ribbon schools work.
The top-ranked blue ribbon public preschools in Massachusetts are Martin Luther King Junior, Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School and Vinson-owen Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Massachusetts blue ribbon public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 56% (versus the Massachusetts public pre school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 37% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 60% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Massachusetts public preschool average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Best Blue Ribbon Public Preschools in Massachusetts (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Martin Luther King Junior
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
102 Putnam Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 349-6562
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 349-6562
Gr: PK-5 | 340 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #22.
Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School
Charter School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
21 Notre Dame Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02140
(617) 497-7771
Cambridge, MA 02140
(617) 497-7771
Gr: PK-6 | 352 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #33.
Vinson-owen Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
75 Johnson Road
Winchester, MA 01890
(781) 721-7019
Winchester, MA 01890
(781) 721-7019
Gr: PK-5 | 441 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #44.
E Ethel Little School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
7 Barberry Lane
North Reading, MA 01864
(978) 664-7820
North Reading, MA 01864
(978) 664-7820
Gr: PK-5 | 303 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #55.
Williams
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
50 Bushey Road
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 448-9680
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 448-9680
Gr: PK-5 | 264 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #66.
Morris
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
129 West Street
Lenox, MA 01240
(413) 637-5570
Lenox, MA 01240
(413) 637-5570
Gr: PK-5 | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #77.
Westhampton Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
37 Kings Highway
Easthampton, MA 01027
(413) 527-0561
Easthampton, MA 01027
(413) 527-0561
Gr: PK-6 | 95 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #88.
Winship Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
54 Dighton Street
Brighton, MA 02135
(617) 635-8399
Brighton, MA 02135
(617) 635-8399
Gr: PK-6 | 353 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #99.
Sewell-anderson
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
25 Ontario Street
Lynn, MA 01905
(781) 477-7444
Lynn, MA 01905
(781) 477-7444
Gr: PK-5 | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #1010.
Northfield Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
104 Main Street
Northfield, MA 01360
(413) 498-5842
Northfield, MA 01360
(413) 498-5842
Gr: PK-6 | 141 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1111.
White Street
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
300 White Street
Springfield, MA 01108
(413) 787-7543
Springfield, MA 01108
(413) 787-7543
Gr: PK-5 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #1212.
Glenwood
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
50 Morrison Terrace
Springfield, MA 01104
(413) 787-7527
Springfield, MA 01104
(413) 787-7527
Gr: PK-5 | 275 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked blue ribbon public preschools in Massachusetts?
The top-ranked blue ribbon public preschools in Massachusetts include Martin Luther King Junior, Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School and Vinson-owen Elementary School.
How many blue ribbon public preschools are located in Massachusetts?
12 blue ribbon public preschools are located in Massachusetts.
What is the racial composition of students in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts blue ribbon public preschools minority enrollment is 60% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Massachusetts public preschools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
Discover the hidden costs of public school in 2026, from supplies and fees to transportation, technology, and extracurricular expenses.
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
Learn how district budget cuts can affect class sizes, programs, staffing, transportation, and your child's daily school experience in 2026.
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
Learn how parents can assess school closure risk before buying or renting in a district, using enrollment, funding, and boundary data.
