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Old Centre Historic DistrictOld Centre Historic District · Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0
D
Schools in Winchendon · Winchendon School District

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

On the state math tests, 18% of Winchendon’s students scored proficient, below the Massachusetts average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving Winchendon, 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.

#262of 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
23%
▼ 21 pts vs MA 44%
2021–22
Math proficiency
18%
▼ 23 pts vs MA 41%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80–89%
▼ 0–9 pts vs MA 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$20.3K
▼ 23% vs MA $26.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.8
MA 11.9 · larger classes
Schools in town
6
1,187 students on the public path
In brief

Winchendon’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 23% of tested students were proficient in reading and 18% in math, against 44% and 41% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

80–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts (the state reports Winchendon’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $20,339 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 3 the district’s path is Toy Town Elementary, then Murdock Middle School, then Murdock High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

The Winchendon 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 Winchendon’s grade

D Test scoresC− Graduation

D: better than 12% of Massachusetts school districts, #262 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Both inputs trail the Massachusetts average; graduation is 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 (149)Better than 15%
Towns in Worcester County (55)Better than 4%
DC−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 612 test results and a graduating class of 58 could put Winchendon anywhere from D to C−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Winchendon’s students in the tested grades sat them (611 in math, 614 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–2MemorialWinchendon School DistrictNo scores
3–5Toy Town ElementaryWinchendon School DistrictC−
6–8Murdock Middle SchoolWinchendon School DistrictC−
9–12Murdock High SchoolWinchendon School DistrictC+

Winchendon’s public schools are run by Winchendon 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.

Winchendon School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 6 schools · 1,188 students · 14.8 per teacher (MA 11.9)
$20,339MA $26,530 · FY2024
D
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading23%
State average 43.7% · 614 students tested
Math18%
State average 40.7% · 611 students tested

Winchendon vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
WinchendonDWinchendon
GardnerC−Gardner
TempletonCNarragansett
RoyalstonC−Athol-Royalston
AshburnhamBAshburnham-Westminster

Rindge, NH borders Winchendon but is graded on its own state’s tests, so it’s left out.

Every school in Winchendon

6 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 Winchendonby address
Winchendon PreSchool Program
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
90 students24:1Rate it →
Memorial
Elementary · Grades K–2
268 students17:1Rate it →
Toy Town Elementary
Elementary · Grades 3–5
C−
292 students16:1Rate it →
Murdock Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C−
281 students14:1Rate it →
Murdock High School
High · Grades 9–12
C+
256 students11:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
The Winchendon School
High · Grades 9–12
Private · Nonsectarian
271 students8:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Murdock Academy for Success).

Questions about Winchendon’s schools

Are Winchendon’s schools good?

On Massachusetts’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Winchendon children attend score below 88% of Massachusetts’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #262 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 15%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Winchendon in?

Winchendon School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,188 students in 6 schools (2024–25).

Where do Winchendon kids go to high school?

Murdock High School, with 256 students; its own test results earn a C+.

What is Winchendon’s graduation rate?

80–89% of the class of 2023 in Winchendon School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts.

How much does Winchendon spend per student?

$20,339 in Winchendon School District (FY2024), against $26,530 across Massachusetts. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Winchendon?

Yes: The Winchendon School (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 271 students).

Parents talk

What Winchendon families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Winchendon → 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.