Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0Northborough’s public schools outscore 82% of Massachusetts districts
On the state math tests, 61% of Northborough’s students scored proficient, above the Massachusetts average (41%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Northborough, 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.
Northborough’s schools, in brief
Northborough runs its own schools through grade 8, then shares
Robert E. Melican Middle School (6–8) is Northborough’s own. From grade 9, students attend the Northborough-Southborough School District with Southborough: Algonquin Regional High. The high school’s own results earn an A+, the highest on the path. See the path ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 58% and math 61% across both districts in spring 2022, against 44% and 41% statewide; 97% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Northborough spends $22,589 per student and Northborough-Southborough $25,849, against $26,530 across Massachusetts (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Bernadette Elementary School (private) and Fitzgerald Institute DBA Fitzgerald Community Scho (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 Northborough’s grade
A−: better than 82% of Massachusetts school districts, #49 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Massachusetts average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Northborough, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Northborough
Robert E. Melican Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 545 students · 11:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Northborough
Robert E. Melican Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 545 students · 11:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Northborough
Robert E. Melican Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 545 students · 11:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Northborough
Algonquin Regional High
Grades 9–12 · 1,197 students · 11:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Northborough
Algonquin Regional High
Grades 9–12 · 1,197 students · 11:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Northborough
Algonquin Regional High
Grades 9–12 · 1,197 students · 11:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Northborough
Algonquin Regional High
Grades 9–12 · 1,197 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Northborough runs its own schools through grade 8 (Northborough School District). From grade 9, students attend the Northborough-Southborough School District, shared with Southborough. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Northborough
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
Northborough vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Massachusetts towns that share Northborough’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Northborough | A− | Northborough K–8 · Northborough-Southborough 9–12 |
| Westborough | A | Westborough |
| Marlborough | C− | Marlborough |
| Shrewsbury | A | Shrewsbury |
| Berlin | A− | Berlin-Boylston |
| Boylston | A− | Berlin-Boylston |
Every school in Northborough
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 Northborough’s schools
Are Northborough’s schools good?
By Massachusetts’s own tests, yes: the public schools Northborough children attend outscore 82% of Massachusetts’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #49 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 Northborough in?
Two districts: Northborough School District runs grades K–8, and Northborough-Southborough School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Southborough.
Where do Northborough kids go to high school?
Algonquin Regional High, with 1,197 students; its own test results earn an A+.
What is Northborough’s graduation rate?
97% of the class of 2023 in Northborough-Southborough School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts.
How much does Northborough spend per student?
$22,589 in Northborough School District and $25,849 in Northborough-Southborough School District (FY2024), against $26,530 across Massachusetts. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Northborough?
Yes: St. Bernadette Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 351 students) and Fitzgerald Institute DBA Fitzgerald Community Scho (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 53 students).
Parents talk
What Northborough families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Northborough → 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.