Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0Pepperell’s public schools outscore 58% of Massachusetts districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Pepperell, 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.
Pepperell’s schools, in brief
Above the state in reading, below in math
Reading proficiency is 48% and math 40% 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 $21,001 per student, against $26,530 across Massachusetts (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one high school
From grade 5 the district’s path is Nissitissit Middle School, then North Middlesex Regional. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Maple Dene Elementary School (private) and Pepperell Christian Academy (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 Pepperell’s grade
B: better than 58% of Massachusetts school districts, #128 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 Pepperell, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Pepperell
Squannacook Early Childhood Center
Grades PK–4 · 89 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Townsend
Kindergarten in Pepperell
Varnum Brook
Grades K–4 · 606 students · 14:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Pepperell
Varnum Brook
Grades K–4 · 606 students · 14:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Pepperell
Varnum Brook
Grades K–4 · 606 students · 14:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Pepperell
Varnum Brook
Grades K–4 · 606 students · 14:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Pepperell
Varnum Brook
Grades K–4 · 606 students · 14:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Pepperell
Nissitissit Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 494 students · 11:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Pepperell
Nissitissit Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 494 students · 11:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Pepperell
Nissitissit Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 494 students · 11:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Pepperell
Nissitissit Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 494 students · 11:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Pepperell
North Middlesex Regional
Grades 9–12 · 711 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Townsend
10th grade in Pepperell
North Middlesex Regional
Grades 9–12 · 711 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Townsend
Pepperell’s public schools are run by North Middlesex School District, which also serves Ashby and Townsend. 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
Pepperell vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Massachusetts towns that share Pepperell’s borders.
Every school in Pepperell
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 Pepperell’s schools
Are Pepperell’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Massachusetts: the public schools Pepperell children attend outscore 58% of Massachusetts’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #128 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 58%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Pepperell in?
North Middlesex School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,914 students in 7 schools (2024–25).
Where do Pepperell kids go to high school?
North Middlesex Regional in Townsend, with 711 students; its own test results earn an A.
What is Pepperell’s graduation rate?
95–100% of the class of 2023 in North Middlesex School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts.
How much does Pepperell spend per student?
$21,001 in North Middlesex School District (FY2024), against $26,530 across Massachusetts. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Pepperell?
Yes: Maple Dene Elementary School (nonsectarian, grades K–5, 12 students) and Pepperell Christian Academy (religious, grades 11, 6 students).
Parents talk
What Pepperell families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Pepperell → 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.