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Center Elementary School

Q: Is Center Elementary School a good school?

Center Elementary School ranks 248 th of 899 Massachusetts elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-4

248^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 899 Massachusetts Elementary Schools

Better than 72% of Massachusetts elementary schools

Summary

Center Elementary School is a K–4 school in Chelmsford, MA, serving 480 students as part of the Chelmsford district.

In 2025–2026, Center ranked 248th of 899 Massachusetts elementary schools (72nd percentile, 4 stars), while the Chelmsford district ranked 73rd of 351 (79th percentile, 4 stars). Center’s all-grade MCAS proficiency was 51.43% in English Language Arts and 56.82% in Mathematics—above the state’s 40.03% and 41.11%, slightly above the district in math (55.00%), and slightly below the district in ELA (53.49%). Among nearby Chelmsford K–4 schools, Center is mid-pack: Byam School and South Row post higher ELA scores, South Row posts much higher math, and Center outperforms Charles D Harrington in both subjects. The clearest pattern is by grade. Center’s 4th grade math score of 65.63 is the highest among these schools and well above district and state averages, and its 4th grade ELA score is also above the district. But its 3rd grade math score of 46.25 is the lowest among the four nearby Chelmsford schools and below the district, while its 3rd grade ELA score of 50.00 is below Byam, South Row, and the district. Center has been a 4-star school in recent years, but after reaching 214th in 2023–2024 it slipped to 248th while Byam, South Row, and Harrington improved.

Subgroup results are uneven. Center ranks high for low-SES students (89th percentile, 4 stars) and special education students (81st percentile, 4 stars), and the gender gap narrowed in 2025–2026 (female 74th percentile, male 69th). Some other subgroups rank below the school’s overall 72nd percentile. Operationally, Center’s 2024–2025 student–teacher ratio was 12.8, similar to nearby Chelmsford schools, and its 2020–2021 per-student spending was $15,720—less than Byam and South Row but more than Harrington. The district context is strong: Chelmsford is ranked 73rd of 351 districts, while nearby Lowell is ranked 273rd of 351. Against nearby Lowell schools, Center’s ELA score is above every one, and its math score is above all except Charles W Morey. The main opportunities are to lift 3rd grade ELA and math relative to Chelmsford peers, support lower-ranked subgroups, and reverse the relative-rank decline.

480

Students ?

12.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,873

Per pupil spending ?

13.8%

Directly certified for free meals (2024-25) ?

All students in Massachusetts receive free school meals.

98%

Kindergartners with all required immunizations (2025-26)

Exemptions: 0% (any vaccine)

84 Billerica Road
Chelmsford, MA 01824

(978) 251-5155

District: Chelmsford

Students who attend Center Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	McCarthy Middle School
High:	Chelmsford High

Racial breakdown:

White:

61.7%

Asian:

20.6%

Hispanic:

7.5%

See top rated Massachusetts elementary schools

Compare Center Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 74th percentile in 2016 → 72nd in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Massachusetts average (54% vs 41% meeting standards)

✓Above the Massachusetts median (72nd percentile)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Near the bottom of Chelmsford's ranking

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school54%

District avg54%

Massachusetts avg41%

248^th of 899

Massachusetts public elementary schools ?

Top 28%▼ down 2 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Massachusetts Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

3^rd of 4Elementary Schools in the Chelmsford

73^rd of 351Chelmsford among Massachusetts districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	71.9	248 of 899	72.4%	★★★★☆
2025	72.4	252 of 906	72.2%	★★★★☆
2024	77.4	214 of 916	76.6%	★★★★☆
2023	66.0	311 of 928	66.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	73.8	239 of 932	74.4%	★★★★☆
2021	73.8	239 of 936	74.5%	★★★★☆
2019	76.2	216 of 942	77.1%	★★★★☆
2018	77.2	202 of 934	78.4%	★★★★☆
2017	88.7	69 of 938	92.6%	★★★★★
2016	73.0	239 of 932	74.4%	★★★★☆
2015	73.4	235 of 914	74.3%	★★★★☆
2014	78.4	183 of 926	80.2%	★★★★☆
2013	83.3	134 of 928	85.6%	★★★★☆
2012	74.7	236 of 930	74.6%	★★★★☆
2011	84.2	117 of 924	87.3%	★★★★☆
2010	84.4	119 of 920	87.1%	★★★★☆
2009	85.3	100 of 909	89.0%	★★★★☆
2008	86.1	84 of 908	90.7%	★★★★★
2007	84.1	114 of 911	87.5%	★★★★☆
2006	88.2	72 of 911	92.1%	★★★★★
2005	85.5	103 of 887	88.4%	★★★★☆
2004	82.0	153 of 882	82.7%	★★★★☆
2003	86.7	84 of 884	90.5%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	35.4	110 of 149	26.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	28.6	112 of 142	21.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	40.0	103 of 152	32.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	57.4	77 of 145	46.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	55.5	81 of 143	43.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	57.4	79 of 141	44.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	61.9	62 of 155	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	63.7	64 of 154	58.4%	★★★☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2022	62.8	192 of 672	71.4%	★★★★☆
2021	55.6	224 of 632	64.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	51.8	266 of 665	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	55.0	236 of 656	64.0%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	73.2	222 of 869	74.5%	★★★★☆
2025	77.5	183 of 869	78.9%	★★★★☆
2024	77.5	196 of 886	77.9%	★★★★☆
2023	51.9	436 of 887	50.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	68.9	268 of 901	70.3%	★★★★☆
2021	72.2	237 of 898	73.6%	★★★★☆
2019	70.0	254 of 902	71.8%	★★★★☆
2018	72.3	242 of 893	72.9%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	77.9	84 of 742	88.7%	★★★★☆
2025	88.6	32 of 736	95.7%	★★★★★
2024	69.5	156 of 760	79.5%	★★★★☆
2023	64.6	191 of 757	74.8%	★★★★☆
2022	56.8	303 of 772	60.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	85.1	38 of 705	94.6%	★★★★★
2019	45.0	392 of 700	44.0%	★★☆☆☆
2018	50.0	324 of 685	52.7%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	68.2	270 of 879	69.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	63.4	321 of 884	63.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	73.7	233 of 891	73.8%	★★★★☆
2023	74.4	222 of 896	75.2%	★★★★☆
2022	75.0	205 of 908	77.4%	★★★★☆
2021	71.6	254 of 904	71.9%	★★★★☆
2019	78.4	177 of 907	80.5%	★★★★☆
2018	79.2	169 of 898	81.2%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	72.4	134 of 709	81.1%	★★★★☆
2025	54.8	244 of 717	66.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	41.5	390 of 731	46.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	57.9	238 of 703	66.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	64.8	249 of 905	72.5%	★★★★☆
2021	76.8	138 of 894	84.6%	★★★★☆
2019	52.9	396 of 896	55.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	62.6	260 of 886	70.7%	★★★★☆

Tested In Person

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2021	74.0	241 of 925	73.9%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	56.5	324 of 734	55.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	55.4	342 of 737	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	64.0	258 of 753	65.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	39.5	489 of 762	35.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	52.7	378 of 764	50.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	53.9	343 of 765	55.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	62.7	283 of 780	63.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	68.1	228 of 772	70.5%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)89th percentile+16 vs school

Special Education (2026)81st percentile+9 vs school

Female (2026)74th percentile~ school

Tested In Person (2021)74th percentile~ school

Disabled (2022)71st percentile-3 vs school

Male (2026)69th percentile-3 vs school

White (2026)56th percentile-17 vs school

Asian (2026)26th percentile-46 vs school

By subject vs Massachusetts (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics57%+16 vs state

English Language Arts51%+11 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Sunday, October 16, 2011

The principal, Mr. Raymond, goes far beyond what is expected of him. He's absolutely WONDERFUL! Close Quote

Schools Near Center Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				MCAS Next Generation English Language Arts (2026)							MCAS Next Generation Mathematics (2026)							MCAS Next Generation Science (2026)			MCAS Next Generation Civics (2026)	Vaccination (2025-26)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Directly certified (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MCAS Next Generation English Language Arts 3rd Grade	MCAS Next Generation English Language Arts 4th Grade	MCAS Next Generation English Language Arts 5th Grade	MCAS Next Generation English Language Arts 6th Grade	MCAS Next Generation English Language Arts 7th Grade	MCAS Next Generation English Language Arts 8th Grade	MCAS Next Generation English Language Arts All Grades	MCAS Next Generation Mathematics 3rd Grade	MCAS Next Generation Mathematics 4th Grade	MCAS Next Generation Mathematics 5th Grade	MCAS Next Generation Mathematics 6th Grade	MCAS Next Generation Mathematics 7th Grade	MCAS Next Generation Mathematics 8th Grade	MCAS Next Generation Mathematics All Grades	MCAS Next Generation Science 5th Grade	MCAS Next Generation Science 8th Grade	MCAS Next Generation Science All Grades	MCAS Next Generation Civics 8th Grade	Vaccination: Kindergartners with all required immunizations	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Total
Center Elementary School	Public	K-4	84 Billerica Road	Chelmsford	01824	Middlesex County	Chelmsford	No	No	No	Yes	(978) 251-5155	480	37	12.8	13.8%	296 (61.7%)	25 (5.2%)	36 (7.5%)	99 (20.6%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	22 (4.6%)	71.9	248^th of 899 public elementary schools	72.4%		72.4	252^nd of 906 public elementary schools	72.2%	4	50.0	52.6					51.4	46.3	65.6					56.8					98%	0%	$17,873
Dr Gertrude Bailey	Public	PK, KG-4	175 Campbell Drive	Lowell	01851	Middlesex County	Lowell	No	No	No	Yes	(978) 937-7644	454	36	12.6	63.2%	97 (21.4%)	37 (8.1%)	139 (30.6%)	155 (34.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (5.7%)	55.9	395^th of 899 public elementary schools	56.1%		53.1	423^rd of 906 public elementary schools	53.3%	28	41.6	38.8					40.1	50.0	50.6					50.3					98%	2%	$23,360
South Row	Public	K-4	250 Boston Rd	Chelmsford	01824	Middlesex County	Chelmsford	No	No	No	No	(978) 251-5177	464	35	13.3	11.2%	304 (65.5%)	14 (3.0%)	39 (8.4%)	78 (16.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (6.0%)	84.5	131^st of 899 public elementary schools	85.4%		82.8	147^th of 906 public elementary schools	83.8%	16	67.9	51.7					59.3	75.3	59.8					67.1					96%	3%	$18,080
Washington	Public	PK, KG-4	795 Wilder Street	Lowell	01851	Middlesex County	Lowell	No	No	No	Yes	(978) 937-7635	252	23	10.9	69.0%	36 (14.3%)	23 (9.1%)	69 (27.4%)	106 (42.1%)	2 (0.8%)	1 (0.4%)	15 (6.0%)	39.1	547^th of 899 public elementary schools	39.2%		39.5	551^st of 906 public elementary schools	39.2%	4	33.3	35.6					34.6	41.7	35.6					38.3					97%	3%	$24,780
Charles W Morey	Public	PK, KG-4	130 Pine Street	Lowell	01851	Middlesex County	Lowell	No	No	No	Yes	(978) 937-7662	497	40	12.4	66.2%	47 (9.5%)	37 (7.4%)	112 (22.5%)	274 (55.1%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (5.0%)	66.3	301^st of 899 public elementary schools	66.5%		39.2	556^th of 906 public elementary schools	38.6%	255	57.0	32.1					44.4	63.8	53.1					58.4					99%	1%	$23,268
Charles D Harrington	Public	K-4	120 Richardson Rd	North Chelmsford	01863	Middlesex County	Chelmsford	No	No	No	Yes	(978) 251-5166	468	38	12.2	26.1%	264 (56.4%)	28 (6.0%)	59 (12.6%)	89 (19.0%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	26 (5.6%)	63.2	329^th of 899 public elementary schools	63.4%		57.5	381^st of 906 public elementary schools	57.9%	52	50.0	44.7					47.4	47.9	52.1					50.0					96%	1%	$18,822
Abraham Lincoln	Public	PK, KG-4	300 Chelmsford Street	Lowell	01851	Middlesex County	Lowell	No	No	No	Yes	(978) 937-2846	492	41	12.0	78.7%	70 (14.2%)	29 (5.9%)	186 (37.8%)	182 (37.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	24 (4.9%)	17.2	759^th of 899 public elementary schools	15.6%		24.6	682^nd of 906 public elementary schools	24.7%	77	11.1	27.7					19.5	13.6	31.3					22.6					100%	0%	$22,805
John J Shaughnessy	Public	PK, KG-4	1158 Gorham Street	Lowell	01852	Middlesex County	Lowell	No	No	No	Yes	(978) 937-7657	485	36	13.4	74.0%	95 (19.6%)	26 (5.4%)	229 (47.2%)	108 (22.3%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	25 (5.2%)	26.8	649^th of 899 public elementary schools	27.8%		19.7	742^nd of 906 public elementary schools	18.1%	93	30.3	21.6					25.6	38.5	29.6					33.7					97%	1%	$23,137
Byam School	Public	K-4	25 Maple Road	Chelmsford	01824	Middlesex County	Chelmsford	No	No	No	Yes	(978) 251-5144	510	39	12.9	17.8%	332 (65.1%)	19 (3.7%)	57 (11.2%)	74 (14.5%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.6%)	24 (4.7%)	77.9	191^st of 899 public elementary schools	78.8%		73.1	246^th of 906 public elementary schools	72.8%	55	63.7	54.5					59.1	51.5	59.8					55.6					99%	1%	$18,885
Rogers STEM Academy	Public	K-8	43 Highland Street	Lowell	01852	Middlesex County	Lowell	No	No	No	Yes	(978) 674-4331	892	68	13.1	82.8%	147 (16.5%)	77 (8.6%)	464 (52.0%)	167 (18.7%)	5 (0.6%)	3 (0.3%)	29 (3.3%)	18.3	744^th of 899 public elementary schools	17.2%		24	687^th of 906 public elementary schools	24.2%	57	20.8	23.1	19.1	17.0	24.8	19.4	20.7	22.1	33.0	16.5	31.0	16.2	32.7	25.0	19.3	19.4	19.3	27.1	100%	0%	$21,646

Frequently Asked Questions about Center Elementary School

How many students attend Center Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 480 students attended Center Elementary School.

What district is Center Elementary School in?

Chelmsford

Is Center Elementary School a good school?

Center Elementary School ranks 248^th of 899 Massachusetts elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Center Elementary School?

Students at Center Elementary School are 62% White, 21% Asian, 8% Hispanic, 5% African American, 5% Two or more races.

What schools do graduates of Center Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Center Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : McCarthy Middle School
High : Chelmsford High

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Latest Massachusetts data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataNewNov 1, 2026

2020–21 through 2023–24 school spending data (updated)NewNov 1, 2026

2023–24 through 2024–25 teacher salary dataNewNov 1, 2026

2020–21 through 2022–23 teacher salary data (updated)NewNov 1, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.