Summary
Swanson Road Intermediate School in Auburn, MA, serves 554 students in grades 3 through 5 and consistently outperforms many nearby schools, particularly those in the Worcester district, while spending less per student.
Swanson Road stands out for its strong academic results, especially in Science, where 54.4% of students were proficient in 2024-2025—well above the state average of 41.51%. The school also excels in supporting specific student groups, with low-income students earning a 4-star rating and Hispanic students ranking in the 87th to 92nd percentile statewide. However, performance is uneven: while these groups thrive, the school struggles more with its White and Special Education students, who rank lower. Overall, Swanson Road has seen a slight decline in its state ranking over recent years, from a high of the 75th percentile in 2017-2018 to the 57th percentile in 2024-2025, though it remains a solid choice. Notably, the school achieves these results with a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1 and spending of $14,827 per student—less than nearby Gates Lane or Bryn Mawr in the same district, suggesting efficient use of resources.
Compared to neighboring schools, Swanson Road is a clear academic leader. For example, its ELA proficiency rate of 46% far exceeds the 11% to 27% range seen at Quinsigamond and Woodland Academy in Worcester. An interesting exception is Heard Street, also in Worcester, which nearly matches Swanson Road’s ELA scores, making it a potential peer for collaboration. Math is a relative weakness for Swanson Road, with 3rd-grade proficiency (39.66%) falling below the state average (43.5%), suggesting a need for early math support. Overall, Swanson Road offers strong academics, particularly in science, and effectively supports diverse learners, though it has room to improve in math and for certain student groups.
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