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Robert E. Melican Middle School

Q: Is Robert E. Melican Middle School a good school?

Robert E. Melican Middle School ranks 117 th of 478 Massachusetts middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 6-8

117^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 478 Massachusetts Middle Schools

Better than 76% of Massachusetts middle schools

Summary

Robert E. Melican Middle School is a grades 6–8 school serving 545 students in Northborough, MA, part of the Northborough district, which ranks 86th of 351 Massachusetts districts (75th percentile, 4 stars). The school itself ranked 117th of 478 middle schools in 2025–26 — the 76th percentile, also 4 stars.

Melican scores above the state average in all four MCAS subjects: 44.94% proficiency in English language arts, 52.35% in math, 60.61% in science, and 62.58% in civics. Within its own district, however, it sits below the district average in ELA and math while beating it in science and civics. ELA is the clearest weak point this year: all-grade proficiency fell to 44.94% from 51.05% in 2024–25, and grade 7 ELA was just 39.11%, barely above the district and below the state. Math has held steady for four years, and science and civics are relative strengths, with grade 8 the strongest grade overall. Special education students were a standout in the subgroup rankings (78th of 436, 82nd percentile, 4 stars), and low-income students placed around the mid-60s percentile.

Locally, Melican is a solid mid-to-upper performer. It is well ahead of David J. Quinn Middle School in Hudson, Burncoat Middle School in Worcester, 1 LT Charles W. Whitcomb School in Marlborough, and Clinton Middle School, posting ELA and math results roughly 20–30 points higher. But it trails Sarah W Gibbons Middle and Mill Pond School in Westborough, P Brent Trottier in Southborough, Oak Middle School in Shrewsbury, and Grafton Middle in those two subjects. Resources look favorable — $19,155 per student and a 10.7 student–teacher ratio — yet several nearby schools spend less and post higher ELA and math results. The school's rank has drifted from the 83rd percentile in 2020–21 to 76th now, and the ELA decline is worth watching, though it is only one year of data. Keep in mind that nearby schools serve different grade spans, so comparisons are approximate.

545

Students ?

10.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$19,936

Per pupil spending ?

7.9%

Free/discounted lunch ?

145 Lincoln Street
Northborough, MA 01532

(508) 351-7020

District: Northborough

Students who attend Robert E. Melican Middle School usually attend:

High:

Algonquin Regional High

Feeder schools for Robert E. Melican Middle School:

Elementary:	Fannie E Proctor
	Lincoln Street
	Marguerite E Peaslee
	Marion E Zeh

Racial breakdown:

White:

66.4%

Asian:

12.7%

Hispanic:

11.7%

See top rated Massachusetts middle schools

Compare Robert E. Melican Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Recently slipping — 83rd percentile in 2021 → 76th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Massachusetts average (52% vs 41% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 24% of Massachusetts middle schools

✓Small classes — about 11 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped from its 83rd-percentile peak (2021) to 76th (2026)

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school52%

District avg53%

Massachusetts avg41%

117^th of 478

Massachusetts public middle schools ?

Top 24%▲ up 9 pts since 2016

From top 33% (2016) to top 24% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Massachusetts Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

86^th of 351Northborough 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	72.6	117 of 478	75.5%	★★★★☆
2025	76.2	103 of 484	78.7%	★★★★☆
2024	77.5	101 of 493	79.5%	★★★★☆
2023	78.9	95 of 501	81.0%	★★★★☆
2022	80.2	86 of 497	82.7%	★★★★☆
2021	80.1	85 of 501	83.0%	★★★★☆
2019	79.1	102 of 498	79.5%	★★★★☆
2018	75.7	110 of 484	77.3%	★★★★☆
2017	79.7	87 of 487	82.1%	★★★★☆
2016	65.6	160 of 482	66.8%	★★★☆☆
2015	74.1	119 of 441	73.0%	★★★★☆
2014	73.3	125 of 455	72.5%	★★★★☆
2013	77.2	100 of 455	78.0%	★★★★☆
2012	73.8	122 of 455	73.2%	★★★★☆
2011	77.6	96 of 449	78.6%	★★★★☆
2010	79.3	89 of 434	79.5%	★★★★☆
2009	84.8	50 of 409	87.8%	★★★★☆
2008	83.6	64 of 407	84.3%	★★★★☆
2007	84.3	51 of 399	87.2%	★★★★☆
2006	85.6	52 of 399	87.0%	★★★★☆
2005	79.5	76 of 356	78.7%	★★★★☆
2004	83.0	60 of 344	82.6%	★★★★☆
2003	83.5	60 of 339	82.3%	★★★★☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	63.7	60 of 131	54.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	69.5	45 of 127	64.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	63.8	53 of 120	55.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	68.8	53 of 134	60.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	78.3	26 of 135	80.7%	★★★★☆
2021	70.4	44 of 123	64.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	79.4	21 of 128	83.6%	★★★★☆
2018	74.9	29 of 119	75.6%	★★★★☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2022	79.9	49 of 445	89.0%	★★★★☆
2021	71.7	66 of 431	84.7%	★★★★☆
2019	66.8	100 of 424	76.4%	★★★★☆
2018	70.9	74 of 417	82.3%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	68.6	129 of 468	72.4%	★★★★☆
2025	73.6	109 of 473	77.0%	★★★★☆
2024	75.3	107 of 481	77.8%	★★★★☆
2023	78.6	92 of 489	81.2%	★★★★☆
2022	78.1	91 of 494	81.6%	★★★★☆
2021	80.8	80 of 483	83.4%	★★★★☆
2019	74.4	119 of 478	75.1%	★★★★☆
2018	72.9	125 of 463	73.0%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	53.8	139 of 383	63.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	50.0	156 of 376	58.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	44.2	178 of 378	52.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	52.4	145 of 364	60.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	66.2	88 of 368	76.1%	★★★★☆
2021	79.6	46 of 335	86.3%	★★★★☆
2019	92.1	16 of 322	95.0%	★★★★★
2018	95.9	8 of 309	97.4%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	56.0	164 of 461	64.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	55.7	171 of 464	63.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	58.9	159 of 469	66.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	59.2	167 of 481	65.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	53.6	187 of 489	61.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	70.4	93 of 462	79.9%	★★★★☆
2019	52.0	203 of 452	55.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	62.7	145 of 438	66.9%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	74.7	102 of 470	78.3%	★★★★☆
2025	76.0	99 of 473	79.1%	★★★★☆
2024	77.0	98 of 483	79.7%	★★★★☆
2023	77.1	100 of 489	79.6%	★★★★☆
2022	80.7	80 of 497	83.9%	★★★★☆
2021	76.8	92 of 485	81.0%	★★★★☆
2019	80.7	90 of 478	81.2%	★★★★☆
2018	77.4	99 of 466	78.8%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	76.5	29 of 112	74.1%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	69.7	78 of 436	82.1%	★★★★☆
2025	74.4	71 of 435	83.7%	★★★★☆
2024	66.5	96 of 441	78.2%	★★★★☆
2023	75.0	74 of 444	83.3%	★★★★☆
2022	66.9	111 of 503	77.9%	★★★★☆
2021	67.4	99 of 489	79.8%	★★★★☆
2019	60.2	148 of 484	69.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	62.9	127 of 467	72.8%	★★★★☆

Tested In Person

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2021	76.7	100 of 491	79.6%	★★★★☆

Tested Remotely

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2021	91.4	29 of 339	91.4%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	53.8	151 of 393	61.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	57.8	140 of 386	63.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	63.0	125 of 392	68.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	66.5	119 of 403	70.5%	★★★★☆
2022	64.9	116 of 404	71.3%	★★★★☆
2021	65.6	113 of 401	71.8%	★★★★☆
2019	63.6	134 of 396	66.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	59.4	151 of 395	61.8%	★★★☆☆

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)

Tested Remotely (2021)91st percentile+8 vs school

Disabled (2022)89th percentile+6 vs school

Special Education (2026)82nd percentile+7 vs school

Tested In Person (2021)80th percentile-3 vs school

Male (2026)78th percentile+3 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)74th percentile~ school

Female (2026)72nd percentile-3 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)64th percentile-11 vs school

Hispanic (2026)64th percentile-12 vs school

White (2026)62nd percentile-14 vs school

Asian (2026)54th percentile-21 vs school

By subject vs Massachusetts (2025-2026) ?

Civics63%+23 vs state

Science61%+20 vs state

Mathematics52%+11 vs state

English Language Arts45%+5 vs state

★

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Schools Near Robert E. Melican Middle 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 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)	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	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2015)	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 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 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	Total
Robert E. Melican Middle School	Public	6-8	145 Lincoln Street	Northborough	01532	Worcester County	Northborough	No	No	No	Yes	(508) 351-7020	545	51	10.7	7.9%	362 (66.4%)	15 (2.8%)	64 (11.7%)	69 (12.7%)	2 (0.4%)	8 (1.5%)	25 (4.6%)	72.6	117^th of 478 public middle schools	75.5%		76.2	103^rd of 484 public middle schools	78.7%	14			46.3	39.1	49.7	44.9			52.7	45.6	59.4	52.4		60.6	60.6	62.6	$19,936
Sarah W Gibbons Middle	Public	7-8	20 Fisher Street	Westborough	01581	Worcester County	Westborough	No	No	No	No	(508) 836-7740	610	58	10.5	10.1%	257 (42.1%)	20 (3.3%)	84 (13.8%)	226 (37.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (3.6%)	94.4	26^th of 478 public middle schools	94.6%		94.2	24^th of 484 public middle schools	95.0%	2				69.4	72.0	70.7				72.3	74.0	73.2		67.9	67.9	69.0	$20,890
Sherwood Middle School	Public	5-6	28 Sherwood Avenue	Shrewsbury	01545	Worcester County	Shrewsbury	No	No	No	No	(508) 841-8670	951	71	13.3	15.9%	401 (42.2%)	37 (3.9%)	95 (10.0%)	352 (37.0%)	5 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	58 (6.1%)								(n/a)		45.5	58.4			52.4		54.0	68.9			61.9	57.3		57.3		$17,375
Oak Middle School	Public	7-8	45 Oak Street	Shrewsbury	01545	Worcester County	Shrewsbury	No	No	No	No	(508) 841-1200	914	64	14.2	17.5%	390 (42.7%)	51 (5.6%)	91 (10.0%)	328 (35.9%)	5 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	48 (5.3%)	90.3	53^rd of 478 public middle schools	88.9%		92.1	47^th of 484 public middle schools	90.3%	6				58.6	69.0	63.6				60.8	75.0	67.6		63.7	63.7	64.2	$17,175
Mill Pond School	Public	4-6	6 Olde Hickory Path	Westborough	01581	Worcester County	Westborough	No	No	No	Yes	(508) 836-7780	834	76	10.9	11.3%	377 (45.2%)	30 (3.6%)	94 (11.3%)	302 (36.2%)	3 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	26 (3.1%)								(n/a)	53.6	57.5	64.1			58.4	62.7	65.3	78.3			68.9	68.7		68.7		$20,602
P Brent Trottier	Public	6-8	49 Parkerville Rd	Southborough	01772	Worcester County	Southborough	No	No	No	No	(508) 485-2400	404	41	9.8	3.6%	284 (70.3%)	1 (0.2%)	23 (5.7%)	68 (16.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (6.7%)	93.6	31^st of 478 public middle schools	93.5%		92.3	41^st of 484 public middle schools	91.5%	10			62.7	62.6	79.0	68.3			69.8	68.4	73.8	70.7		74.1	74.1	77.6	$24,000
1 LT Charles W. Whitcomb School	Public	6-8	25 Union Street	Marlborough	01752	Middlesex County	Marlborough	No	No	No	Yes	(508) 460-3502	965	103	9.3	54.1%	229 (23.7%)	60 (6.2%)	641 (66.4%)	10 (1.0%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (2.3%)	22.4	372^nd of 478 public middle schools	22.2%		21.1	383^rd of 484 public middle schools	20.9%	11			26.0	26.3	22.0	24.9			22.3	18.9	27.4	22.6		14.3	14.3	20.0	$21,195
Clinton Middle School	Public	5-8	100 West Boylston Street	Clinton	01510	Worcester County	Clinton	No	No	No	Yes	(978) 365-4220	573	49	11.6	50.4%	278 (48.5%)	15 (2.6%)	264 (46.1%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	13 (2.3%)	31.3	319^th of 478 public middle schools	33.3%		32.8	310^th of 484 public middle schools	36.0%	9		27.6	19.3	23.0	33.8	25.9		32.5	35.7	22.5	15.7	26.6	29.5	38.7	33.9	30.9	$18,424
Burncoat Middle School	Public	7-8	135 Burncoat Street	Worcester	01606	Worcester County	Worcester	No	No	No	Yes	(508) 799-3390	720	53	13.5	73.7%	180 (25.0%)	135 (18.8%)	328 (45.6%)	45 (6.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (4.3%)	29.6	327^th of 478 public middle schools	31.6%		35	292^nd of 484 public middle schools	39.7%	35				24.6	26.6	25.7				23.3	30.2	27.0		28.6	28.6	24.6	$23,380
David J. Quinn Middle School	Public	5-7	201 Manning Street	Hudson	01749	Middlesex County	Hudson	No	No	No	No	(978) 567-6210	546	55	9.9	30.5%	374 (68.5%)	20 (3.7%)	136 (24.9%)	3 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (2.0%)	25.7	350^th of 478 public middle schools	26.8%		42.8	249^th of 484 public middle schools	48.6%	101		25.4	21.3	29.2		25.1		21.4	23.5	26.0		23.6	46.2		46.2		$13,849

Frequently Asked Questions about Robert E. Melican Middle School

How many students attend Robert E. Melican Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 545 students attended Robert E. Melican Middle School.

What district is Robert E. Melican Middle School in?

Northborough

What high school do graduates of Robert E. Melican Middle School attend?

Students who attend Robert E. Melican Middle School usually go on to attend Algonquin Regional High

Is Robert E. Melican Middle School a good school?

Robert E. Melican Middle School ranks 117^th of 478 Massachusetts middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Robert E. Melican Middle School?

Students at Robert E. Melican Middle School are 66% White, 13% Asian, 12% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 3% African American, 1% Pacific Islander.

Rate Robert E. Melican Middle School!

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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.