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Mim's Market, Northfield MAPhoto: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 3.0
C−
Schools in Northfield · Pioneer Valley School District

Northfield’s public schools score below 79% of Massachusetts districts on tests and graduation

In Northfield, 26% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Massachusetts average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving Northfield, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Massachusetts, not nationally.

#242of 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
38%
▼ 6 pts vs MA 44%
2021–22
Math proficiency
26%
▼ 15 pts vs MA 41%
2021–22
Spent per student
$28.2K
▲ 6% vs MA $26.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
10.6
MA 11.9 · smaller classes
Schools in town
2
380 students on the public path
In brief

Northfield’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 284 Massachusetts towns with household incomes within a quarter of Northfield’s, its schools beat 11%, lower than their 21% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 38% of tested students were proficient in reading and 26% in math, against 44% and 41% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $28,154 per student, against $26,530 across Massachusetts (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle school

From grade 7 the district’s path is Pioneer Valley Regional. Enrollment is down 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

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 Northfield’s grade

C− Test scores

C−: better than 21% of Massachusetts school districts, #242 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Test scores are below the Massachusetts average; there is no graduation rate to add.

Massachusetts school districts we grade (394)Better than 21%
Lower resultsHigher results
Massachusetts towns with similar household incomes (284)Better than 11%
Towns in Franklin County (23)Better than 39%
C−CA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 354 test results could put Northfield anywhere from C− to C. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Northfield’s students in the tested grades sat them (354 in math, 354 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–6Northfield ElementaryPioneer Valley School DistrictC
7–12Pioneer Valley RegionalPioneer Valley School DistrictB−

Northfield’s public schools are run by Pioneer Valley School District, which also serves Bernardston and Leyden. 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.

Pioneer Valley School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 581 students, down 8% since 2020–21 · 10.6 per teacher (MA 11.9)
$28,154MA $26,530 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading38%
State average 43.7% · 354 students tested
Math26%
State average 40.7% · 354 students tested

Northfield vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
NorthfieldC−Pioneer Valley
GillDGill-Montague
ErvingDErving PK–6 · Gill-Montague School District in Erving

Every school in Northfield

2 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 Northfieldby address
Northfield Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–6
C
141 students10:1Rate it →
Pioneer Valley Regional
High · Grades 7–12
B−
239 students11:1Rate it →

Questions about Northfield’s schools

Are Northfield’s schools good?

On Massachusetts’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Northfield children attend score below 79% of Massachusetts’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #242 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 11%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Northfield in?

Pioneer Valley School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 581 students in 3 schools (2024–25).

How much does Northfield spend per student?

$28,154 in Pioneer Valley School District (FY2024), against $26,530 across Massachusetts. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Northfield families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Northfield → 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.