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Townsend MA CommonPhoto: Marcbela (Marc N. Belanger) · Public domain
B
Schools in Townsend · North Middlesex School District

Townsend’s public schools outscore 58% of Massachusetts districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Townsend, 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.

#128of 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
48%
▲ 4 pts vs MA 44%
2021–22
Math proficiency
40%
▼ 1 pts vs MA 41%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 6–11 pts vs MA 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$21.0K
▼ 21% vs MA $26.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.7
MA 11.9 · larger classes
Schools in town
4
1,662 students on the public path
In brief

Townsend’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 ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 5 the district’s path is Hawthorne Brook, then North Middlesex Regional. 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 Townsend’s grade

B− Test scoresB+ Graduation

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.

Massachusetts school districts we grade (394)Better than 58%
Lower resultsHigher results
Massachusetts towns with similar household incomes (292)Better than 60%
Towns in Middlesex County (41)Better than 20%
B−B+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,642 test results and a graduating class of 181 could put Townsend anywhere from B− to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Townsend’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,639 in math, 1,646 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–42 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressB−
5–8Hawthorne BrookNorth Middlesex School DistrictB−
9–12North Middlesex RegionalNorth Middlesex School DistrictA

Townsend’s public schools are run by North Middlesex School District, which also serves Ashby and Pepperell. 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.

North Middlesex School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 7 schools · 2,914 students · 12.7 per teacher (MA 11.9)
$21,001MA $26,530 · FY2024
B
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading48%
State average 43.7% · 1646 students tested
Math40%
State average 40.7% · 1639 students tested

Townsend vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
TownsendBNorth Middlesex
AshbyBNorth Middlesex
LunenburgBLunenburg
PepperellBNorth Middlesex

2 of the 3 neighbors share North Middlesex with Townsend, so their letters differ mainly through other districts. Brookline, NH borders Townsend but is graded on its own state’s tests, so it’s left out.

Every school in Townsend

4 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 Townsendby address
Squannacook Early Childhood Center
Elementary · Grades PK–4
89 students17:1Rate it →
Spaulding Memorial
Elementary · Grades K–4
B−
413 students14:1Rate it →
Hawthorne Brook
Middle · Grades 5–8
B−
449 students12:1Rate it →
North Middlesex Regional
High · Grades 9–12
A
711 students13:1Rate it →

Questions about Townsend’s schools

Are Townsend’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of Massachusetts: the public schools Townsend 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 60%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Townsend in?

North Middlesex School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,914 students in 7 schools (2024–25).

Where do Townsend kids go to high school?

North Middlesex Regional, with 711 students; its own test results earn an A.

What is Townsend’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 Townsend spend per student?

$21,001 in North Middlesex School District (FY2024), against $26,530 across Massachusetts. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Townsend families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Townsend → 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.