Cyrus Peirce

Cyrus Peirce is a middle school in Nantucket, Massachusetts, serving 358 students in grades 6–8 on an island with no other schools within 20 miles, making it the sole middle school in the Nantucket district. The school sits on Surfside Road and has a student–teacher ratio of 10:1.

In 2025–26, Cyrus Peirce ranked in the 51st percentile statewide, earning 3 stars—its highest ranking and first 3-star rating in the past decade. That places it above the state median and well ahead of its own Nantucket district, which ranks in the bottom third of Massachusetts (28th percentile). The school’s strongest subject is science: 46% of students were proficient, exceeding both district and state averages. English language arts also beats the district by more than 7 points, though it still trails the state. Mathematics is the clear challenge: about 29% proficiency, nearly 12 points below the state and essentially level with the district. Grade 7 math is the weakest area, while grade 8 students perform closer to state averages. The school serves special education students relatively well, ranking above its overall standing, but English language learners and low-income students lag significantly. Because the school is small, subgroup results can swing year to year.

Resources are a strength: the student–teacher ratio has improved to 10:1, and per-pupil spending is over $23,000. Overall, Cyrus Peirce is on an upward trajectory—three straight years of improvement, science as a signature strength, and special education outcomes as a highlight. The main priority for parents and staff is math, especially in grade 7 and among English learners and low-income students. With no nearby schools for comparison, the key benchmarks are the state and the Nantucket district. This is a school performing above its district and at the state median, with clear momentum but a real math gap to close.