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Chester Elementary

Q: Is Chester Elementary a good school?

Chester Elementary ranks 166 th of 899 Massachusetts elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

166^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 899 Massachusetts Elementary Schools

Better than 82% of Massachusetts elementary schools

Summary

Chester Elementary is a small PK–5 school in Chester, Massachusetts, serving 114 students as part of the Gateway district in the rural hilltowns of western Massachusetts. Although the district as a whole ranks 218th of 351 in Massachusetts, Chester Elementary itself ranked 166th of 899 state schools in 2025–2026 — 82nd percentile, 4 stars — a striking contrast with its own district.

In 2025–2026, 52.5% of Chester students were proficient in English language arts, 67.5% in math, and 60% in science, all above state averages (40.03%, 41.11%, and 40.98%) and far above district averages. Math is the standout: 26.4 points above the state, with every tested grade at or above 60% — 73.33% in 3rd grade and 70% in 5th. Grade-level ELA scores were tightly clustered between 50% and 53.33%. Science has been strong across the last three reported years (60%, 64.29%, and 76.47%), all above the state. Chester’s state rank has trended upward over the long term, though a dip to the 65th percentile in 2024–2025 shows that year-to-year swings are possible in a small school.

Compared with nearby schools, Chester is among the strongest — but not the very top. Only Anne T. Dunphy School scored higher in ELA (69.35%) and math (75.81%); in science, Dunphy (100%), Becket Washington School (69.23%), and William E Norris (64.41%) were ahead of Chester’s 60%. Chester’s same-district neighbor, Littleville Elementary School, 6.7 miles away, ranked 562nd of 899 (37th percentile, 2 stars). Chester’s student-teacher ratio of 9.1 in 2024–2025 is lower than most nearby schools. With 114 students, grade cohorts are tiny, so percentages can swing; even so, available subgroup data show strong results in some years, including a 96th-percentile ranking for low-income students in 2020–2021.

114

Students ?

9.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$24,202

Per pupil spending ?

43.9%

Directly certified for free meals (2024-25) ?

All students in Massachusetts receive free school meals.

325 Middlefield Road
Chester, MA 01011

(413) 685-1360

District: Gateway

Racial breakdown:

White:

91.2%

Hispanic:

6.1%

American Indian:

1.8%

See top rated Massachusetts elementary schools

Compare Chester Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 41st percentile in 2016 → 82nd in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Massachusetts average (60% vs 41% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 18% of Massachusetts elementary schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 41 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school60%

District avg36%

Massachusetts avg41%

166^th of 899

Massachusetts public elementary schools ?

Top 18%▲ up 40 pts since 2016

From bottom 41% (2016) to top 18% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Massachusetts Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 2Elementary Schools in the Gateway

218^th of 351Gateway 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	80.6	166 of 899	81.5%	★★★★☆
2025	66.2	318 of 906	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	81.7	156 of 916	83.0%	★★★★☆
2023	54.2	436 of 928	53.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	45.6	509 of 932	45.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	37.9	596 of 936	36.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	45.0	543 of 942	42.4%	★★☆☆☆
2018	43.9	558 of 934	40.3%	★★☆☆☆
2017	50.9	474 of 938	49.5%	★★☆☆☆
2016	45.7	547 of 932	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2015	37.2	625 of 914	31.6%	★★☆☆☆
2014	51.4	502 of 926	45.8%	★★☆☆☆
2013	47.4	533 of 928	42.6%	★★☆☆☆
2012	47.8	542 of 930	41.7%	★★☆☆☆
2011	40.5	610 of 924	34.0%	★★☆☆☆
2008	42.6	582 of 908	35.9%	★★☆☆☆
2007	33.6	671 of 911	26.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	34.7	645 of 911	29.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	42.3	536 of 887	39.6%	★★☆☆☆
2004	45.3	518 of 882	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2003	35.1	618 of 884	30.1%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2019	33.3	642 of 902	28.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2021	87.4	29 of 705	95.9%	★★★★★
2018	51.0	315 of 685	54.0%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2024	74.4	222 of 891	75.1%	★★★★☆
2022	55.2	415 of 908	54.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	63.7	331 of 904	63.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	49.1	478 of 898	46.8%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2021	80.1	115 of 894	87.1%	★★★★☆
2018	41.7	533 of 886	39.8%	★★☆☆☆

Tested In Person

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2021	42.8	540 of 925	41.6%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	70.6	183 of 734	75.1%	★★★★☆
2025	46.9	399 of 737	45.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	65.7	247 of 753	67.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	39.2	491 of 762	35.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	31.9	563 of 764	26.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	28.6	607 of 765	20.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	33.4	578 of 780	25.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	35.1	552 of 772	28.5%	★☆☆☆☆

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 (2021)96th percentile+60 vs school

Special Education (2021)87th percentile+51 vs school

Male (2024)75th percentile-8 vs school

White (2026)75th percentile-6 vs school

Tested In Person (2021)42nd percentile+5 vs school

Female (2019)29th percentile-14 vs school

By subject vs Massachusetts (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics68%+26 vs state

Science60%+19 vs state

English Language Arts52%+12 vs state

★

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Schools Near Chester Elementary

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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 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)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
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 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 All Grades	MCAS Next Generation Science 5th Grade	MCAS Next Generation Science All Grades	Total
Chester Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	325 Middlefield Road	Chester	01011	Hampden County	Gateway	No	No	No	Yes	(413) 685-1360	114	13	9.1	43.9%	104 (91.2%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (6.1%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.9%)	80.6	166^th of 899 public elementary schools	81.5%		66.2	318^th of 906 public elementary schools	64.9%	152	53.3	53.3	50.0		52.5	73.3	60.0	70.0		67.5	60.0	60.0	$24,202
Becket Washington School	Public	PK, KG-5	12 Maple Street	Becket	01223	Berkshire County	Central Berkshire	No	No	No	Yes	(413) 623-8757	91	9	10.2	45.1%	81 (89.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (5.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (5.5%)	69.2	274^th of 899 public elementary schools	69.5%		52.8	427^th of 906 public elementary schools	52.9%	153	66.7	16.7	53.9		50.0	61.9	23.1	69.2		53.2	69.2	69.2	$22,584
Littleville Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4 Littleville Road	Huntington	01050	Hampshire County	Gateway	No	No	No	No	(413) 685-1300	260	26	10.1	45.8%	239 (91.9%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (5.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	7 (2.7%)	37.6	562^nd of 899 public elementary schools	37.5%		37.2	577^th of 906 public elementary schools	36.3%	15	16.3	47.4	36.1		32.5	14.0	47.4	19.4		26.5	52.8	52.8	$24,269
R. H. Conwell	Public	PK, KG-6	147 Huntington Road	Worthington	01098	Hampshire County	Worthington	No	No	No	Yes	(413) 238-5856	76	8	10.1	36.8%	67 (88.2%)	1 (1.3%)	4 (5.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (3.9%)	9.7	845^th of 899 public elementary schools	6.0%		11.2	837^th of 906 public elementary schools	7.6%	8	30.0			14.3	30.8	0.0			7.1	15.4			$22,984
Farmington River Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	555 N Main Street	Otis	01253	Berkshire County	Farmington River Regional	No	No	No	Yes	(413) 269-4466	124	13	9.3	54.8%	114 (91.9%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (4.8%)	1 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (2.4%)	58.6	367^th of 899 public elementary schools	59.2%		47.3	482^nd of 906 public elementary schools	46.8%	115	31.3	50.0	53.3	61.5	48.2	50.0	38.5	53.3	46.2	47.4	33.3	33.3	$44,177
New Hingham Regional Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	30 Smith Rd	Chesterfield	01012	Hampshire County	Chesterfield-Goshen	No	No	No	No	(413) 296-0000	126	14	8.7	30.2%	122 (96.8%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (2.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.8%)	41.8	521^st of 899 public elementary schools	42.0%		56.5	392^nd of 906 public elementary schools	56.7%	129	15.4	31.8	35.7	42.1	32.4	23.1	27.3	42.9	68.4	41.2	35.7	35.7	$00
Westhampton Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	37 Kings Highway	Westhampton	01027	Hampshire County	Westhampton	No	No	No	No	(413) 527-0561	95	16	5.7	23.2%	86 (90.5%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (7.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (2.1%)	53.9	412^th of 899 public elementary schools	54.2%		61.6	353^rd of 906 public elementary schools	61.0%	59	37.5	47.1	25.0		40.7	56.3	58.8	25.0		46.3	45.5	45.5	$00
Kittredge	Public	PK, KG-5	80 Maple Street	Hinsdale	01235	Berkshire County	Central Berkshire	No	No	No	Yes	(413) 655-2525	185	13	14.4	37.8%	171 (92.4%)	1 (0.5%)	8 (4.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (2.2%)	65.4	309^th of 899 public elementary schools	65.6%		44.5	511^th of 906 public elementary schools	43.6%	202	66.7	22.7	36.4		42.7	58.3	45.5	68.2		57.4	59.1	59.1	$19,202
Lee Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	310 Greylock Street	Lee	01238	Berkshire County	Lee	No	No	No	Yes	(413) 243-0336	331	35	9.4	42.6%	260 (78.5%)	3 (0.9%)	49 (14.8%)	10 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.7%)	52.1	436^th of 899 public elementary schools	51.5%		38.4	566^th of 906 public elementary schools	37.5%	130	44.9	47.5	35.6	27.3	38.8	38.8	50.0	46.7	36.4	42.6	54.6	54.6	$25,043
William E Norris	Public	PK, KG-6	34 Pomeroy Meadow Rd	Southampton	01073	Hampshire County	Southampton	No	No	No	Yes	(413) 527-0811	475	38	12.5	15.4%	422 (88.8%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (8.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (2.9%)	63.8	323^rd of 899 public elementary schools	64.1%		67.3	307^th of 906 public elementary schools	66.1%	16	37.5	41.8	45.8	47.7	43.1	34.4	56.1	45.8	76.9	53.5	64.4	64.4	$00

Frequently Asked Questions about Chester Elementary

Is Chester Elementary a good school?

Chester Elementary ranks 166^th of 899 Massachusetts elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Chester Elementary attend?

Students who attend Chester Elementary usually go on to attend:

High : Gateway Regional School

How many students attend Chester Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 114 students attended Chester Elementary.

What district is Chester Elementary in?

Gateway

What is the racial makeup of Chester Elementary?

Students at Chester Elementary are 91% White, 6% Hispanic, 2% American Indian.

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Latest Massachusetts data All new data »

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesMar 5, 2026

2024–25 MCAS Next Generation test scoresSep 29, 2025

2023–24 school spending dataMay 8, 2025

2023–24 dropout rates & graduation ratesMay 1, 2025

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.