Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Gloucester’s public schools score below 74% of Massachusetts districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 35% of Gloucester’s students scored proficient, below the Massachusetts average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving Gloucester, 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.
Gloucester’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 200 Massachusetts towns with household incomes within a quarter of Gloucester’s, its schools beat 35%, higher than their 26% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 38% of tested students were proficient in reading and 35% in math, against 44% and 41% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
83% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $25,392 per student, against $26,530 across Massachusetts (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Ralph B O'Maley Middle, then Gloucester High. Enrollment is up 20% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Faith Christian School (private) is 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 Gloucester’s grade
C: better than 26% of Massachusetts school districts, #230 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Both inputs trail the Massachusetts average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Gloucester, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Gloucester
Gloucester PreSchool
Grades PK · 101 students · 10:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Gloucester
Ralph B O'Maley Middle
Grades 6–8 · 619 students · 11:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Gloucester
Ralph B O'Maley Middle
Grades 6–8 · 619 students · 11:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Gloucester
Ralph B O'Maley Middle
Grades 6–8 · 619 students · 11:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Gloucester
Gloucester High
Grades 9–12 · 776 students · 10:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Gloucester
Gloucester High
Grades 9–12 · 776 students · 10:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Gloucester
Gloucester High
Grades 9–12 · 776 students · 10:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Gloucester
Gloucester High
Grades 9–12 · 776 students · 10:1 students per teacher
Gloucester’s public schools are run by Gloucester 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
Gloucester vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Massachusetts towns that share Gloucester’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Gloucester | C | Gloucester |
| Manchester-by-the-Sea | A | Manchester Essex Regional |
| Rockport | B− | Rockport |
| Essex | A | Manchester Essex Regional |
| Ipswich | B+ | Ipswich |
Every school in Gloucester
8 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 Gloucester’s schools
Are Gloucester’s schools good?
On Massachusetts’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Gloucester children attend score below 74% of Massachusetts’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #230 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 35%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Gloucester in?
Gloucester School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,838 students in 7 schools (2024–25).
Where do Gloucester kids go to high school?
Gloucester High, with 776 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is Gloucester’s graduation rate?
83% of the class of 2023 in Gloucester School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts.
How much does Gloucester spend per student?
$25,392 in Gloucester School District (FY2024), against $26,530 across Massachusetts. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Gloucester?
Yes: Faith Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 22 students).
Parents talk
What Gloucester families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Gloucester → 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.