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Holden Center 2022 2Photo: Terageorge~commonswiki · CC BY-SA 4.0
B+
Schools in Holden · Wachusett School District

Holden’s public schools outscore 67% of Massachusetts districts

Math proficiency in Holden’s districts is 53%, above the Massachusetts average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving Holden, 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.

#91of 283 Massachusetts townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
54%
▲ 10 pts vs MA 44%
2021–22
Math proficiency
53%
▲ 12 pts vs MA 41%
2021–22
Graduate on time
93%
▲ 4 pts vs MA 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$18.5K
▼ 30% vs MA $26.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.2
MA 11.9 · larger classes
Schools in town
7
4,069 students on the public path
In brief

Holden’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 54% and math 53% in spring 2022, against 44% and 41% statewide; 93% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $18,540 per student, against $26,530 across Massachusetts (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Mountview Middle, then Wachusett Regional High. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Holden Christian Academy (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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Holden’s grade

B+ Test scoresB− Graduation

B+: better than 67% of Massachusetts school districts, #91 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Massachusetts average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Massachusetts school districts we grade (394)Better than 67%
Lower resultsHigher results
Massachusetts towns with similar household incomes (233)Better than 65%
Towns in Worcester County (55)Better than 71%
BB+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 3,675 test results and a graduating class of 499 could put Holden anywhere from B to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Holden’s students in the tested grades sat them (3,669 in math, 3,681 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressB to A−
6–8Mountview MiddleWachusett School DistrictB
9–12Wachusett Regional HighWachusett School DistrictA+

Holden’s public schools are run by Wachusett School District, which also serves Paxton, Princeton, Rutland and Sterling. 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.

Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading54%
State average 43.7% · 3681 students tested
Math53%
State average 40.7% · 3669 students tested

Holden vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
HoldenB+Wachusett
PaxtonB+Wachusett
RutlandB+Wachusett
SterlingB+Wachusett
PrincetonB+Wachusett
West BoylstonB+West Boylston

4 of the 5 neighbors share Wachusett with Holden, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Holden

7 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 Holdenby address
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade

Questions about Holden’s schools

Are Holden’s schools good?

By Massachusetts’s own tests, yes: the public schools Holden children attend outscore 67% of Massachusetts’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #91 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 65%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Holden in?

Wachusett School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 6,557 students in 13 schools (2024–25).

Where do Holden kids go to high school?

Wachusett Regional High, with 1,779 students; its own test results earn an A+.

What is Holden’s graduation rate?

93% of the class of 2023 in Wachusett School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts.

How much does Holden spend per student?

$18,540 in Wachusett School District (FY2024), against $26,530 across Massachusetts. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Holden?

Yes: Holden Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–8, 113 students).

Parents talk

What Holden families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Holden → 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.