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MillersRiverMAPhoto: Richard B. Johnson · CC BY-SA 3.0
C−
Schools in Athol · Athol-Royalston School District

Athol’s public schools score below 81% of Massachusetts districts on tests and graduation

24% of students in Athol’s public schools are proficient in reading, below the Massachusetts average (44%). The grade covers the public school district serving Athol, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Massachusetts, not nationally.

#246of 283 Massachusetts townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Massachusetts state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
24%
▼ 20 pts vs MA 44%
2021–22
Math proficiency
26%
▼ 15 pts vs MA 41%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▼ 0–4 pts vs MA 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$21.0K
▼ 21% vs MA $26.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.8
MA 11.9 · larger classes
Schools in town
3
1,452 students on the public path
In brief

Athol’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 117 Massachusetts towns with household incomes within a quarter of Athol’s, its schools beat 33%, higher than their 19% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 24% of tested students were proficient in reading and 26% in math, against 44% and 41% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts (the state reports Athol’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $21,049 per student, against $26,530 across Massachusetts (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 5 the district’s path is Athol-Royalston Middle School, then Athol High. Enrollment is up 13% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Athol’s grade

D Test scoresC− Graduation

C−: better than 19% of Massachusetts school districts, #246 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Both inputs trail the Massachusetts average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.

Massachusetts school districts we grade (394)Better than 19%
Lower resultsHigher results
Massachusetts towns with similar household incomes (117)Better than 33%
Towns in Worcester County (55)Better than 13%
DCA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 820 test results and a graduating class of 84 could put Athol anywhere from D to C. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Athol’s students in the tested grades sat them (818 in math, 822 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Athol, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–4Athol Community Elementary SchoolAthol-Royalston School DistrictC+
5–8Athol-Royalston Middle SchoolAthol-Royalston School DistrictD
9–12Athol HighAthol-Royalston School DistrictC

Athol’s public schools are run by Athol-Royalston School District, which also serves Royalston. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Athol-Royalston School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 1,604 students, up 13% since 2020–21 · 12.8 per teacher (MA 11.9)
$21,049MA $26,530 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading24%
State average 43.7% · 822 students tested
Math26%
State average 40.7% · 818 students tested

Athol vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Massachusetts towns that share Athol’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
AtholC−Athol-Royalston
OrangeDOrange PK–6 · Ralph C. Mahar 7–12
PhillipstonCNarragansett
RoyalstonC−Athol-Royalston
New SalemC−New Salem-Wendell PK–6 · Ralph C. Mahar 7–12
PetershamDPetersham K–6 · Ralph C. Mahar 7–12

Every school in Athol

3 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Massachusetts’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Atholby address
Athol Community Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–4
C+
589 students14:1Rate it →
Athol-Royalston Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8
D
446 students13:1Rate it →
Athol High
High · Grades 9–12
C
417 students12:1Rate it →

Questions about Athol’s schools

Are Athol’s schools good?

On Massachusetts’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Athol children attend score below 81% of Massachusetts’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #246 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 33%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Athol in?

Athol-Royalston School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,604 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

Where do Athol kids go to high school?

Athol High, with 417 students; its own test results earn a C.

What is Athol’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in Athol-Royalston School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts.

How much does Athol spend per student?

$21,049 in Athol-Royalston School District (FY2024), against $26,530 across Massachusetts. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Athol families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Athol → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Massachusetts. Stars are from neighbors.