Photo: Rehua · CC BY-SA 4.0Gardner’s public schools score below 80% of Massachusetts districts on tests and graduation
26% of students in Gardner’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Massachusetts average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving Gardner, 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.
From Massachusetts state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% 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.
Gardner’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 105 Massachusetts towns with household incomes within a quarter of Gardner’s, its schools beat 38%, higher than their 20% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 28% of tested students were proficient in reading and 26% in math, against 44% and 41% statewide; 100% 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 Gardner’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $18,857 per student, against $26,530 across Massachusetts (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one middle school
From grade 5 the district’s path is Gardner Middle School, then Gardner High. Enrollment is up 38% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Holy Family Academy (private) and Wachusett Hills Christian School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
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.
What’s behind Gardner’s grade
C−: better than 20% of Massachusetts school districts, #244 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Both inputs trail the Massachusetts average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Gardner, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Gardner
Gardner Elementary School
Grades PK–4 · 1,087 students · 15:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Gardner
Gardner Elementary School
Grades PK–4 · 1,087 students · 15:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Gardner
Gardner Elementary School
Grades PK–4 · 1,087 students · 15:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Gardner
Gardner Elementary School
Grades PK–4 · 1,087 students · 15:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Gardner
Gardner Elementary School
Grades PK–4 · 1,087 students · 15:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Gardner
Gardner Middle School
Grades 5–7 · 514 students · 13:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Gardner
Gardner Middle School
Grades 5–7 · 514 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Gardner
Gardner Middle School
Grades 5–7 · 514 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Gardner
Gardner High
Grades 8–12 · 808 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Gardner
Gardner High
Grades 8–12 · 808 students · 13:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Gardner
Gardner High
Grades 8–12 · 808 students · 13:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Gardner
Gardner High
Grades 8–12 · 808 students · 13:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Gardner
Gardner High
Grades 8–12 · 808 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Gardner’s public schools are run by Gardner School District. 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.
Well below the state in reading
Gardner vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Massachusetts towns that share Gardner’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Gardner | C− | Gardner |
| Templeton | C | Narragansett |
| Ashburnham | B | Ashburnham-Westminster |
| Westminster | B | Ashburnham-Westminster |
| Winchendon | D | Winchendon |
| Hubbardston | C | Quabbin |
Every school in Gardner
6 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).
Questions about Gardner’s schools
Are Gardner’s schools good?
On Massachusetts’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Gardner children attend score below 80% of Massachusetts’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #244 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 38%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Gardner in?
Gardner School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,532 students in 4 schools (2024–25).
What is Gardner’s graduation rate?
85–89% of the class of 2023 in Gardner School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts.
How much does Gardner spend per student?
$18,857 in Gardner School District (FY2024), against $26,530 across Massachusetts. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Gardner?
Yes: Holy Family Academy (Catholic, grades PK–8, 198 students) and Wachusett Hills Christian School (religious, grades K–7, 25 students).
Parents talk
What Gardner families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Gardner → 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.