Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Lowell’s public schools score below 91% of Massachusetts districts on tests and graduation
In Lowell, 25% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Massachusetts average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving Lowell, 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.
Lowell’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 27% of tested students were proficient in reading and 25% in math, against 44% and 41% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
74% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $23,881 per student, against $26,530 across Massachusetts (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
15 elementary schools, then ten middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School, Lowell Community Charter Public School, Collegiate Charter School of Lowell, Lowell Catholic (private), Immaculate Conception School (private), St. Michael School (private), Community Christian Academy (private), Hellenic American Academy (private) and St. Patrick School and Educational Center (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 Lowell’s grade
D: better than 9% of Massachusetts school districts, #270 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 Lowell, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Lowell · depends on your address
Lowell High
Grades 9–12 · 3,446 students · 15:1 students per teacher
The Career Academy
Grades 9–12 · 83 students · 7:1 students per teacher
Leblanc Therapeutic Day School
Grades 9–12 · 36 students · 5:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Lowell · depends on your address
Lowell High
Grades 9–12 · 3,446 students · 15:1 students per teacher
The Career Academy
Grades 9–12 · 83 students · 7:1 students per teacher
Leblanc Therapeutic Day School
Grades 9–12 · 36 students · 5:1 students per teacher
Lowell’s public schools are run by Lowell 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
Lowell vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Massachusetts towns that share Lowell’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Lowell | D | Lowell |
| Chelmsford | B+ | Chelmsford |
| Tewksbury | B | Tewksbury |
| Tyngsborough | C+ | Tyngsborough |
| Dracut | C | Dracut |
Every school in Lowell
35 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 Lowell’s schools
Are Lowell’s schools good?
On Massachusetts’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Lowell children attend score below 91% of Massachusetts’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #270 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 7%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Lowell in?
Lowell School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 14,457 students in 27 schools (2024–25).
Where do Lowell kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Lowell High, The Career Academy and Leblanc Therapeutic Day School.
What is Lowell’s graduation rate?
74% of the class of 2023 in Lowell School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts.
How much does Lowell spend per student?
$23,881 in Lowell School District (FY2024), against $26,530 across Massachusetts. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Lowell?
Yes: Lowell Catholic (Catholic, grades PK–12, 761 students), Immaculate Conception School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 341 students), St. Michael School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 183 students), Community Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–8, 181 students), Hellenic American Academy (religious, grades PK–6, 119 students) and St. Patrick School and Educational Center (Catholic, grades K–8, 84 students). Lowell also has 3 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Lowell families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lowell → 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.