Woodbridge Street Historic District · Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 4.0South Hadley’s public schools score below 68% of Massachusetts districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in South Hadley’s districts is 31%, below the Massachusetts average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving South Hadley, 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 98% 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.
South Hadley’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 252 Massachusetts towns with household incomes within a quarter of South Hadley’s, its schools beat 41%, higher than their 32% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 36% of tested students were proficient in reading and 31% in math, against 44% and 41% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts (the state reports South Hadley’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $21,119 per student, against $26,530 across Massachusetts (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school
From grade 2 the district’s path is Mosier, then Michael E. Smith Middle School, then South Hadley High. Enrollment is down 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School 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.
What’s behind South Hadley’s grade
C: better than 32% of Massachusetts school districts, #209 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Graduation is above the Massachusetts average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve South Hadley, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in South Hadley
Plains Elementary
Grades PK–1 · 271 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in South Hadley
Plains Elementary
Grades PK–1 · 271 students · 14:1 students per teacher
1st grade in South Hadley
Plains Elementary
Grades PK–1 · 271 students · 14:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in South Hadley
Mosier
Grades 2–4 · 365 students · 13:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in South Hadley
Mosier
Grades 2–4 · 365 students · 13:1 students per teacher
4th grade in South Hadley
Mosier
Grades 2–4 · 365 students · 13:1 students per teacher
5th grade in South Hadley
Michael E. Smith Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 505 students · 11:1 students per teacher
6th grade in South Hadley
Michael E. Smith Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 505 students · 11:1 students per teacher
7th grade in South Hadley
Michael E. Smith Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 505 students · 11:1 students per teacher
8th grade in South Hadley
Michael E. Smith Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 505 students · 11:1 students per teacher
9th grade in South Hadley
South Hadley High
Grades 9–12 · 479 students · 9:1 students per teacher
10th grade in South Hadley
South Hadley High
Grades 9–12 · 479 students · 9:1 students per teacher
11th grade in South Hadley
South Hadley High
Grades 9–12 · 479 students · 9:1 students per teacher
12th grade in South Hadley
South Hadley High
Grades 9–12 · 479 students · 9:1 students per teacher
South Hadley’s public schools are run by South Hadley 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.
Well below the state in reading
South Hadley vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Massachusetts towns that share South Hadley’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| South Hadley | C | South Hadley |
| Holyoke | D− | Holyoke |
| Granby | D | Granby |
| Hadley | B | Hadley |
| Amherst Town | B | Amherst PK–6 · Amherst-Pelham 7–12 |
| Chicopee | C− | Chicopee |
Every school in South Hadley
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 South Hadley’s schools
Are South Hadley’s schools good?
On Massachusetts’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools South Hadley children attend score below 68% of Massachusetts’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #209 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 41%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is South Hadley in?
South Hadley School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,620 students in 4 schools (2024–25).
Where do South Hadley kids go to high school?
South Hadley High, with 479 students; its own test results earn a B+.
What is South Hadley’s graduation rate?
90–94% of the class of 2023 in South Hadley School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts.
How much does South Hadley spend per student?
$21,119 in South Hadley School District (FY2024), against $26,530 across Massachusetts. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What South Hadley families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near South Hadley → 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.