Photo: Doug Kerr · CC BY-SA 2.0Merrimac’s public schools outscore 67% of Massachusetts districts
Math proficiency in Merrimac’s districts is 48%, above the Massachusetts average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving Merrimac, 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.
Merrimac’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 284 Massachusetts towns with household incomes within a quarter of Merrimac’s, its schools beat 73%, higher than their 67% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 50% and math 48% in spring 2022, against 44% and 41% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $21,232 per student, against $26,530 across Massachusetts (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle, one middle and one high school
From grade 3 the district’s path is Helen R Donaghue School, then Pentucket Regional Middle, then Pentucket Regional Sr High. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Merrimac Heights 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.
What’s behind Merrimac’s grade
B+: better than 67% of Massachusetts school districts, #91 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Massachusetts average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Merrimac, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Merrimac
Dr Frederick N Sweetsir
Grades PK–2 · 217 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Merrimac
Dr Frederick N Sweetsir
Grades PK–2 · 217 students · 12:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Merrimac
Dr Frederick N Sweetsir
Grades PK–2 · 217 students · 12:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Merrimac
Dr Frederick N Sweetsir
Grades PK–2 · 217 students · 12:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Merrimac
Helen R Donaghue School
Grades 3–6 · 262 students · 11:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Merrimac
Helen R Donaghue School
Grades 3–6 · 262 students · 11:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Merrimac
Helen R Donaghue School
Grades 3–6 · 262 students · 11:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Merrimac
Helen R Donaghue School
Grades 3–6 · 262 students · 11:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Merrimac
Pentucket Regional Middle
Grades 7–8 · 335 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in West Newbury
8th grade in Merrimac
Pentucket Regional Middle
Grades 7–8 · 335 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in West Newbury
9th grade in Merrimac
Pentucket Regional Sr High
Grades 9–12 · 578 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in West Newbury
10th grade in Merrimac
Pentucket Regional Sr High
Grades 9–12 · 578 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in West Newbury
Merrimac’s public schools are run by Pentucket School District, which also serves Groveland and West Newbury. 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 above the state in reading
Merrimac vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Massachusetts towns that share Merrimac’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Merrimac | B+ | Pentucket |
| West Newbury | B+ | Pentucket |
| Amesbury | C+ | Amesbury |
| Haverhill | D | Haverhill |
Newton, NH borders Merrimac but is graded on its own state’s tests, so it’s left out.
Every school in Merrimac
5 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 Merrimac’s schools
Are Merrimac’s schools good?
By Massachusetts’s own tests, yes: the public schools Merrimac 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 73%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Merrimac in?
Pentucket School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,238 students in 6 schools (2024–25).
Where do Merrimac kids go to high school?
Pentucket Regional Sr High in West Newbury, with 578 students; its own test results earn an A.
What is Merrimac’s graduation rate?
95–100% of the class of 2023 in Pentucket School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts.
How much does Merrimac spend per student?
$21,232 in Pentucket School District (FY2024), against $26,530 across Massachusetts. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Merrimac?
Yes: Merrimac Heights Academy (special education, grades 5–10, 18 students).
Parents talk
What Merrimac families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Merrimac → 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.