Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Northampton’s public schools outscore 53% of Massachusetts districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Northampton, 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 93% 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.
Northampton’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 175 Massachusetts towns with household incomes within a quarter of Northampton’s, its schools beat 78%, higher than their 53% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in reading, below in math
Reading proficiency is 48% and math 38% in spring 2022, against 44% and 41% statewide; 95% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $23,711 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 John F Kennedy Middle School, then Northampton High. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Campus School of Smith College (private), The Montessori School of Northampton (private), Lander Grinspoon Academy - Solomon Schechter (private) and Cutchins Program (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 Northampton’s grade
B−: better than 53% of Massachusetts school districts, #147 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 Northampton, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Northampton · depends on your address
Bridge Street
Grades PK–5 · 281 students · 10:1 students per teacher
Leeds
Grades PK–5 · 253 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Leeds
6th grade in Northampton
John F Kennedy Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 577 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Florence
7th grade in Northampton
John F Kennedy Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 577 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Florence
8th grade in Northampton
John F Kennedy Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 577 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Florence
9th grade in Northampton
Northampton High
Grades 9–12 · 875 students · 15:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Northampton
Northampton High
Grades 9–12 · 875 students · 15:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Northampton
Northampton High
Grades 9–12 · 875 students · 15:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Northampton
Northampton High
Grades 9–12 · 875 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Northampton’s public schools are run by Northampton 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.
Above the state in reading
Northampton vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Massachusetts towns that share Northampton’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Northampton | B− | Northampton |
| Hadley | B | Hadley |
| Easthampton | C+ | Easthampton |
| Hatfield | C | Hatfield |
Every school in Northampton
11 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 Northampton’s schools
Are Northampton’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Massachusetts: the public schools Northampton children attend outscore 53% of Massachusetts’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #147 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 78%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Northampton in?
Northampton School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,496 students in 6 schools (2024–25).
Where do Northampton kids go to high school?
Northampton High, with 875 students; its own test results earn an A.
What is Northampton’s graduation rate?
95% of the class of 2023 in Northampton School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts.
How much does Northampton spend per student?
$23,711 in Northampton School District (FY2024), against $26,530 across Massachusetts. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Northampton?
Yes: Campus School of Smith College (nonsectarian, grades K–6, 148 students), The Montessori School of Northampton (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 121 students), Lander Grinspoon Academy - Solomon Schechter (religious, grades K–6, 70 students) and Cutchins Program (special education, grades 3–12, 28 students).
Parents talk
What Northampton families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Northampton → 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.