About the Brookline, Massachusetts Area 

The Town of Brookline finds itself surrounded by Boston, but has a bustling personality of its own. The town is located in Norfolk County was named for two brooks that formed an estate boundary. This picturesque community is one of the Boston suburbs most highly sought out areas.  

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BROOKLINE HISTORY 

Brookline is a town located in Norfolk County and borders the cities of Boston and Newton. Brookline had a population of 57,107 people according to the 2000 census. Brookline which is often confused as part of Boston was actually independently incorporated in 1705. Its name is derived from the brooks that created the town lines with the former towns of Brighton and Roxbury. In 1873 Brookline became an exclave when the neighboring town of West Roxbury was annexed by Boston. Brookline refused to be annexed by Boston after the Brookline-Boston annexation debate of 1873.  

Brookline has managed to maintain its own identity even with being so close to and surrounded by Boston. The mixture of urban and suburban living, upscale shops and recreational parks continue to make it one of residents top living destinations. Brookline also offers many distinct features that you would be hard pressed to find in the Boston area including its own working farm with farm stand, the oldest country club in the nation, a town golf course and the home in which John F. Kennedy was born.  

Neighborhoods, squares and other notable areas of Brookline include: Aspinwall Hill, Beaconsfield, Brookline Hills, Brookline Village, Buttonwood Village, Chestnut Hill, Cleveland Circle, Cooldige Corner, Corey Farm, Corey Hill, Cottage Farm, Fisher Hill, Larz Adnerson Park, Longwood, North Brookline, Pill Hill, The Runkle District, South Brookline, Washington Square, Whiskey Point  

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BROOKLINE REAL ESTATE 

The Brookline market continues to hold up strong during this correction. 661 properties changed hands according to the MLS in 2008. 124 of these homes were single family homes with an average list price of $1,404,745 and an average sale price of $1,325,407 or 94.35% of their listing price. On average it took 105 days for a single family property to sell in Beacon Hill with the range of list prices at $425,000 to $6,995,000 and the range of sold prices at $410,000 to $6,424,000. This is compared to 2007 when 187 single family homes sold for an average price of $1,432,278 while taking on average 140 days on the market. In 2008 median price of homes in the Beacon Hill area decreased 1.96% while homes sold 24.56% faster.  

The Brookline condominium market faired a little differently then the Single Family market. In 2008 513 condos sold making up nearly 71% of all activity in Brookline. The average condo sold for $511,138 while taking 92 days to sell in 2008. This is a .56% drop in sales prices when compared to 2007’s average price of $514,024. There were 162 more condos listed in 2007 with the days on market being equal to 2008’s at 91 days. This is a 24% drop in sales volume in 2008. The range of the listing prices in the area were $179,000 to $5,450,000 and the sale range of $184,500 to $5,250,000. Based on these figures, on average a Brookline condo owner received 96.85% of their asking price in 2008.  

Least, but not forgotten is the Multi-Family properties that sold in 2008 according to the MLS. In 2008 there were 24 properties that were sold with an average sales price of $905,269. These properties took on average 74 days to sell. The range of listing prices was $550,000 to $1,750,000 and sold prices of $520,000 to $1,652,000. The sellers of multi-family properties on average received 95.64% of their asking price.  

***These figures are deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Source MLSPIN.  

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BROOKLINE ATTRACTIONS 

John F. Kennedy National Historic Site - This historic home preserves the birthplace of America's 35th President. Restored in 1967 by the president's mother to her recollection of its 1917 appearance.  

Puppet Showplace Theatre - Puppeteers from all over the country perform at the Showplace, which offers a different show each week.  

Larz Anderson Auto Museum - Museum of Transportation - This museum houses America's oldest collection of automibiles and traces the development of automative technology during the early years.  

The Coolidge Corner Theatre - Today, after a long and cherished history in the Brookline Community, the Coolidge Corner Theatre runs a diverse program of art films, popular films, independent films, first-runs, local filmmaker showcases, children matinees, and film-related events that appeal to teh communities of Brookline.  

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BROOKLINE SCHOOLS 

The public schools of Brookline provide education to pre-school through twelfth grade. Brookline services their students through eight elementary schools and one comprehensive high school. The Public Schools of Brookline also offers continuing education courses, summer school, enrichment programs and numerous athletic opportunities.  

In 2006-2007 school year there were 6,142 students enrolled in the public schools of Brookline. The demographics were broken down into 51.2% male and 48.9% were female students. The racial profiles of the Brookline public school system was 62% of students being White, 17.8% Asian, 8.3% African American, 8.1% Hispanic or Latino and 3.7% listed as other. There were 556 teachers teaching in the district with 97.5% being licensed in their Assignment. In 2006, 85% of Brookline High School students attended a four-year college and 4% attended a two-year college. For more information about the Brookline Public Schools please review the District Report Card. 

Edith C. Baker Elementary School – Serves the South Brookline neighborhood and is the second largest elementary school in the town. Baker services 660 students and was fully renovated in 2000 with two new additional wings added creating a new library, cafeteria as well as more classroom space. For more information about the Baker school, please review the Baker Report Card. 

Edward Devotion School – Enjoys its place in history as the public school that President John F. Kennedy attended. Today it serves the Coolidge Corner neighborhood and is the largest elementary school in the district. The Devotion School serves 701 students. The Devotion school is scheduled to undergo a full renovation in school year 2012 – 2013. Please review the Devotion School Report Card for more in-depth information. 

Michael Driscoll School – This elementary school serves the Washington Square neighborhood while servicing 404 students. This is the only school in the district that offers Chinese as a required and elective language. In grade 6 all students are required with it becoming an option for grades 7 and 8 as their world language. The Driscoll School underwent renovations in 2008 with an upgraded cafeteria, student and staff restrooms as well the installation of a new elevator. Please review the Driscoll School Report Card for more in-depth information. 

Heath School – 377 students are enrolled at the Heath School which serves the Chestnut Hill neighborhoods. The school was fully renovated in 1996 with additional space added for administrative offices, library, science, art and music classrooms. Heath strives to promote to their students the importance of Building a Community, Communicating Respect, Working Hard and Striving for Excellence. The school is constantly working hard to help their students interact and give back to their community. All grades participate in community service and Heath has an ongoing relationship with the Ronald McDonald House as a community service project for 6th through 8th graders. Please review the Heath School Report Card for more in-depth information.  

Amos A. Lawrence School - The Lawrence School was fully renovated in 2003-2004 with additional space added for classrooms, library and cafeteria. The school serves the Longwood Medical neighborhoods and has 589 students currently enrolled. The Lawrence Schools mission is to provide a challenging education to a diverse body in a structured, nurturing community environment. Please review the Lawrence School Report Card for more in-depth information. 

William Lincoln School - Serves the Pill Hill and Point neighborhoods while educating 440 students. This facility opened in 1994 and offers the Japanese English Language Learner program and the Developmental Multiple Handicap Special Education program. Some of the many programs the Lincoln School offers are student government, school newspaper, a student work program and a Model U.N.. Please review the Lincoln School Report Card for more in-depth information. 

Pierce School - The Pierce School serves the Brookline Village neighborhood with a student population of 544 students. In 2004 the Pierce School’s heating and cooling systems were upgraded with new windows being installed in 2007. The Pierce School prides themselves on the strong parent community that is involved in their school. Please review the Pierce School Report Card for more in-depth information. 

John D. Runkle School - The Runkle School is nestled in the Fisher Hill neighborhood and serves 485 students. The Runkle School is scheduled to undergo renovation in 2010. The Runkle school was founded in 1897 and is named for John Daniel Runkle who was a chairman of the Brookline School Committee and a founder of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Please review the Runkle School Report Card for more in-depth information. 

Brookline High School - Brookline High has established a tradition of achievement and innovation which has earned it a national reputation. Brookline’s only high school has an enrollment of 1,891 students. Brookline High is very proud of the high achievement in academics as well as them having the largest interscholastic athletics program in New England with 71 teams in 40 different sports. Please review the Brookline High School Report Card for more in-depth information. 

Public Schools of Brookline Yearly Calendar 

Brookline's Private Schools
Beaver Country Day School, Brimmer and May School, British School of Boston, Dexter School, Maimonides School, The Park School.
 

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