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Dana Common Historic and Archaeological DistrictDana Common Historic and Archaeological District · Public domain
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Schools in Petersham · Petersham School District, Ralph C. Mahar School District

Petersham’s public schools score below 88% of Massachusetts districts on tests and graduation

In Petersham, 28% of tested students read at a proficient level, below the Massachusetts average (44%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Petersham, 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.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From Massachusetts state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% 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
28%
▼ 16 pts vs MA 44%
2021–22
Math proficiency
27%
▼ 14 pts vs MA 41%
2021–22
Graduate on time
75–79%
▼ 10–14 pts vs MA 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$30.9K
▲ 16% vs MA $26.5K
FY2024 · Ralph C. Mahar
Students per teacher
9.5
MA 11.9 · smaller classes
Schools in town
2
651 students on the public path
In brief

Petersham’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 288 Massachusetts towns with household incomes within a quarter of Petersham’s, its schools beat 3%, lower than their 12% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Petersham runs its own schools through grade 6, then shares

Petersham Center (K–6) is Petersham’s own. From grade 7, students attend the Ralph C. Mahar School District with New Salem, Orange and Wendell: Ralph C Mahar Regional in Orange. See the path ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 28% of tested students were proficient in reading and 27% in math, against 44% and 41% statewide; 97% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

75–79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts (the state reports Petersham’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

Petersham spends $20,895 per student and Ralph C. Mahar $30,875, against $26,530 across Massachusetts (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

Choice beyond the district

Petersham Montessori School (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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Petersham’s grade

C− Test scoresD Graduation

D: better than 12% of Massachusetts school districts. Both inputs trail the Massachusetts average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

Massachusetts school districts we grade (394)Better than 12%
Lower resultsHigher results
Massachusetts towns with similar household incomes (288)Better than 3%
Towns in Worcester County (55)Better than 2%
DC−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 354 test results and a graduating class of 94 could put Petersham anywhere from D to C−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 97% of Petersham’s students in the tested grades sat them (353 in math, 355 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–6Petersham CenterPetersham School DistrictC+
7–12Ralph C Mahar Regionalin OrangeC

Petersham runs its own schools through grade 6 (Petersham School District). From grade 7, students attend the Ralph C. Mahar School District, shared with New Salem, Orange and Wendell. Its school is in Orange. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Petersham

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Petersham School DistrictGrades K–6 · 1 schools · 142 students, up 15% since 2020–21 · 11.4 per teacher (MA 11.9)
$20,895MA $26,530 · FY2024
D
Ralph C. Mahar School DistrictGrades 7–12 · 1 schools · 509 students, down 18% since 2020–21 · 9.0 per teacher (MA 11.9)
$30,875MA $26,530 · FY2024
D
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading · K–6, Petersham School District32%
State average 43.7% · 67 students tested
Math · K–6, Petersham School District17%
State average 40.7% · 67 students tested
Reading · 7–12, Ralph C. Mahar School District27%
State average 43.7% · 288 students tested
Math · 7–12, Ralph C. Mahar School District29%
State average 40.7% · 286 students tested

Petersham vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
PetershamDPetersham K–6 · Ralph C. Mahar 7–12
New SalemC−New Salem-Wendell PK–6 · Ralph C. Mahar 7–12
HardwickCQuabbin
WareDWare
AtholC−Athol-Royalston
PhillipstonCNarragansett

Every school in Petersham

3 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 Petershamby address
Petersham Center
Elementary · Grades K–6
C+
142 students11:1Rate it →
Also serving Petershamin other towns
Ralph C Mahar Regional
High · Grades 7–12 · Orange
C
509 students9:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Petersham Montessori School
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Private · Religious
15 students8:1Rate it →

Questions about Petersham’s schools

Are Petersham’s schools good?

On Massachusetts’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Petersham children attend score below 88% of Massachusetts’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 3%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Petersham in?

Two districts: Petersham School District runs grades K–6, and Ralph C. Mahar School District runs grades 7–12, shared with New Salem, Orange and Wendell.

What is Petersham’s graduation rate?

75–79% of the class of 2023 in Ralph C. Mahar School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts.

How much does Petersham spend per student?

$20,895 in Petersham School District and $30,875 in Ralph C. Mahar School District (FY2024), against $26,530 across Massachusetts. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Petersham?

Yes: Petersham Montessori School (religious, grades PK–K, 15 students).

Parents talk

What Petersham families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Petersham → 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.