School overview
At a glance
Reported students
298
NCES CCD 2024–25, where reported
Teachers (FTE)
42.5
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
7:1
Calculated, not a class-size measure
Grades served
06–08
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Massachusetts middle enrollment
12th percentile
Compared with 295 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
307.5
Darby Vassall Upper School: 298 reported students.
State peer staffing position
2th percentile
7:1 reported; state peer median 11.5:1. Ratio is not class size.
Profile interpretation
What the reported data says about Darby Vassall Upper School
Darby Vassall Upper School is a public middle school serving grades 06–08 in Cambridge. It is one of 16 current school records connected to Cambridge. NCES reports 298 students for 2024–25.
Among 295 middle schools in Massachusetts with comparable records, this school is smaller than the reported median of 540 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 12th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 7:1, below the Massachusetts median of 11.5:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The two largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (35.6%) and Black (27.2%). English learners represent 10.7% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 25.6%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
Turn data into a school visit
Questions worth asking Darby Vassall Upper School
- 1How do the reported 7:1 student–teacher ratio and 42.5 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3How are the school's 2 counselor FTE allocated across grades and student needs?
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Student context
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 10.7%
- Students with disabilities
- 25.6%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- Not reported
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
People available to students
Support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 2
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 1
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White35.6%
- Hispanic12.4%
- Black27.2%
- Asian17.4%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.3%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial7%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25 where reported, otherwise CRDC 2021–22. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Learning opportunities
Programs reported by the school
Advanced Placement
Not reported
Gifted and talented
Not reported as offered
Computer science
Not reported
Program availability is from CRDC 2021–22 and can change. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Continue exploring
Other schools in Cambridge
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Cambridge Street Upper School
Middle · Grades 06–08
301 reported students
Rindge Avenue Upper School
Middle · Grades 06–08
292 reported students
Putnam Avenue Upper School
Middle · Grades 06–08
283 reported students
John M Tobin
Elementary · Grades PK–05
291 reported students
Peabody
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314 reported students
Morse
Elementary · Grades PK–05
328 reported students