For the 2026 school year, there are 15 public preschools serving 6,362 students in Dorchester, MA.
The top-ranked public preschools in Dorchester, MA are Henderson K-12 Inclusion School Lower, Murphy K-8 School and Conservatory Lab Charter School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dorchester, MA public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 23% (versus the Massachusetts public pre school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 27% (versus the 37% statewide average). Pre schools in Dorchester have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Massachusetts public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 93% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Massachusetts public preschool average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Dorchester, MA (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Henderson K-12 Inclusion School Lower
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 60-69% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1669 Dorchester Avenue
Dorchester, MA 02122
(617) 635-8725
Dorchester, MA 02122
(617) 635-8725
Gr: PK-1 | 196 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #22.
Murphy K-8 School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1 Worrell Street
Dorchester, MA 02122
(617) 635-8781
Dorchester, MA 02122
(617) 635-8781
Gr: PK-8 | 855 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #33.
Conservatory Lab Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
395 Columbia Rd
Dorchester, MA 02125
(617) 254-8904
Dorchester, MA 02125
(617) 254-8904
Gr: PK-8 | 454 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #44.
Everett Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
71 Pleasant Street
Dorchester, MA 02125
(617) 635-8778
Dorchester, MA 02125
(617) 635-8778
Gr: PK-6 | 288 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #55.
Neighborhood House Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
21 Queen Street
Dorchester, MA 02122
(617) 825-0703
Dorchester, MA 02122
(617) 825-0703
Gr: PK-12 | 786 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #66.
Russell Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
750 Columbia Road
Dorchester, MA 02125
(617) 635-8803
Dorchester, MA 02125
(617) 635-8803
Gr: PK-5 | 356 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #77.
Kenny Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
19 Oakton Avenue
Dorchester, MA 02122
(617) 635-8789
Dorchester, MA 02122
(617) 635-8789
Gr: PK-6 | 329 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #88.
Mather Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
24 Parish Street
Dorchester, MA 02122
(617) 635-8757
Dorchester, MA 02122
(617) 635-8757
Gr: PK-6 | 473 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #99.
Dever Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
325 Mt Vernon Street
Dorchester, MA 02125
(617) 635-8694
Dorchester, MA 02125
(617) 635-8694
Gr: PK-6 | 445 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1010.
Winthrop Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
35 Brookford Street
Dorchester, MA 02125
(617) 635-8379
Dorchester, MA 02125
(617) 635-8379
Gr: PK-6 | 226 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1111.
Clap Elementary School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
35 Harvest Street
Dorchester, MA 02125
(617) 635-8672
Dorchester, MA 02125
(617) 635-8672
Gr: PK-6 | 140 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #1212.
King Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
77 Lawrence Avenue
Dorchester, MA 02121
(617) 635-8212
Dorchester, MA 02121
(617) 635-8212
Gr: PK-6 | 464 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1313.
Trotter Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
135 Humboldt Avenue
Dorchester, MA 02121
(617) 635-8225
Dorchester, MA 02121
(617) 635-8225
Gr: PK-6 | 352 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1414.
Up Academy Holland
(Math: 11% | Reading: 10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
85 Olney Street
Dorchester, MA 02121
(617) 635-8832
Dorchester, MA 02121
(617) 635-8832
Gr: PK-6 | 641 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1515.
Greenwood Sarah K-8 School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
189 Glenway Street
Dorchester, MA 02121
(617) 635-8710
Dorchester, MA 02121
(617) 635-8710
Gr: PK-8 | 357 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Dorchester, MA?
The top-ranked public preschools in Dorchester, MA include Henderson K-12 Inclusion School Lower, Murphy K-8 School and Conservatory Lab Charter School.
How many public preschools are located in Dorchester?
15 public preschools are located in Dorchester.
What is the racial composition of students in Dorchester?
Dorchester public preschools minority enrollment is 93% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Massachusetts public preschools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Dorchester are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Dorchester include: Kenny Elementary School vs. Murphy K-8 School, Clap Elementary School vs. Russell Elementary School, Henderson K-12 Inclusion School Lower vs. Murphy K-8 School
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
