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B+
Schools in Sterling · Wachusett School District

Sterling’s public schools outscore 67% of Massachusetts districts

53% of students in Sterling’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Massachusetts average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving Sterling, 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.

#91of 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
54%
▲ 10 pts vs MA 44%
2021–22
Math proficiency
53%
▲ 12 pts vs MA 41%
2021–22
Graduate on time
93%
▲ 4 pts vs MA 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$18.5K
▼ 30% vs MA $26.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.2
MA 11.9 · larger classes
Schools in town
2
2,360 students on the public path
In brief

Sterling’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 54% and math 53% in spring 2022, against 44% and 41% statewide; 93% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $18,540 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 Chocksett Middle School, then Wachusett Regional High. 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 Sterling’s grade

B+ Test scoresB− Graduation

B+: better than 67% of Massachusetts school districts, #91 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Massachusetts average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Massachusetts school districts we grade (394)Better than 67%
Lower resultsHigher results
Massachusetts towns with similar household incomes (271)Better than 71%
Towns in Worcester County (55)Better than 71%
BB+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 3,675 test results and a graduating class of 499 could put Sterling anywhere from B to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Sterling’s students in the tested grades sat them (3,669 in math, 3,681 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–4Houghton ElementaryWachusett School DistrictB+
5–8Chocksett Middle SchoolWachusett School DistrictB
9–12Wachusett Regional Highin HoldenA+

Sterling’s public schools are run by Wachusett School District, which also serves Holden, Paxton, Princeton and Rutland. 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.

Wachusett School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 13 schools · 6,557 students · 13.2 per teacher (MA 11.9)
$18,540MA $26,530 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading54%
State average 43.7% · 3681 students tested
Math53%
State average 40.7% · 3669 students tested

Sterling vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
SterlingB+Wachusett
PrincetonB+Wachusett
West BoylstonB+West Boylston
ClintonCClinton
HoldenB+Wachusett
LancasterA−Nashoba

2 of the 5 neighbors share Wachusett with Sterling, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Sterling

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 Sterlingby address
Houghton Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–4
B+
317 students11:1Rate it →
Chocksett Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8
B
264 students11:1Rate it →
Also serving Sterlingin other towns
Wachusett Regional High
High · Grades 9–12 · Holden
A+
1,779 students13:1Rate it →

Questions about Sterling’s schools

Are Sterling’s schools good?

By Massachusetts’s own tests, yes: the public schools Sterling children attend outscore 67% of Massachusetts’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #91 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 71%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Sterling in?

Wachusett School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 6,557 students in 13 schools (2024–25).

Where do Sterling kids go to high school?

Wachusett Regional High in Holden, with 1,779 students; its own test results earn an A+.

What is Sterling’s graduation rate?

93% of the class of 2023 in Wachusett School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts.

How much does Sterling spend per student?

$18,540 in Wachusett School District (FY2024), against $26,530 across Massachusetts. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Sterling families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Sterling → 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.