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Houghton Elementary

Q: Is Houghton Elementary a good school?

Houghton Elementary ranks 229 th of 899 Massachusetts elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-4

229^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 899 Massachusetts Elementary Schools

Better than 75% of Massachusetts elementary schools

Summary

Houghton Elementary in Sterling, MA, is a K–4 school serving 317 students in the Wachusett Regional School District. It has been a stable, high-performing school: over the past decade its statewide rank has ranged from the 69th to 81st percentile, and in 2025–2026 it placed at the 75th percentile with 4 stars, ranking 229th of 899 Massachusetts elementary schools. In 2025–2026, 52.85% of students were proficient in ELA and 58.87% in math on MCAS Next Generation, both above district and state averages. Houghton Elementary does not report a science score because it serves only K–4, so that is not a missing-data concern.

Among Wachusett elementary schools, Houghton Elementary’s 75th percentile is slightly above the district’s 72nd. It has the highest math proficiency among district peers: 58.87%, versus 52.70% at Davis Hill Elementary, 54.98% at Leroy E. Mayo, and 46.98% at Thomas Prince. In ELA, Houghton Elementary is second to Davis Hill Elementary but above Leroy E. Mayo and Thomas Prince. Nearby, Boylston Elementary School is higher in ELA while Houghton Elementary is higher in math; Fall Brook is slightly higher in both, though its Leominster district ranks lower overall. Houghton Elementary also outperforms Major Edwards Elementary in ELA, Mary Rowlandson Elementary in both subjects, Clinton Elementary, and Worcester’s Norrback Avenue and Burncoat Street. Grade-level results show a standout 3rd-grade math score of 69.49%, while 4th-grade math is 49.23%, slightly below district but above state.

Resources are favorable: Houghton Elementary’s student–teacher ratio improved to 11.3 in 2024–2025, tied with Davis Hill Elementary for the lowest among Wachusett peers and lower than nearby schools except Burncoat Street at 10.8. Per-student spending was $18,309 in 2020–2021, higher than other Wachusett peers. Subgroup results are mixed: low socioeconomic status students ranked at the 78th percentile with 4 stars, a relative strength, but special education students fell to the 35th percentile with 2 stars in 2025–2026 after 77th percentile in 2024–2025. That is the gap to monitor. After a mild 2024–2025 dip to 69th percentile and 3 stars, Houghton Elementary rebounded in 2025–2026. Because it serves K–4, comparisons with K–5 schools are uneven, especially involving grade 5 science.

317

Students ?

11.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$19,750

Per pupil spending ?

13.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

32 Boutelle Road
Sterling, MA 01564-2698

(978) 422-2333

District: Wachusett

Students who attend Houghton Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Chocksett Middle School
High:	Wachusett Regional High

Racial breakdown:

White:

76.3%

Hispanic:

14.8%

African American:

3.2%

See top rated Massachusetts elementary schools

Compare Houghton Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 78th percentile in 2016 → 75th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Massachusetts average (56% vs 41% meeting standards)

✓Above the Massachusetts median (75th percentile)

✓Small classes — about 11 students per teacher

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school56%

District avg52%

Massachusetts avg41%

229^th of 899

Massachusetts public elementary schools ?

Top 25%▼ down 4 pts since 2016

From top 22% (2016) to top 25% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Massachusetts Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 7Elementary Schools in the Wachusett

97^th of 351Wachusett 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	74.5	229 of 899	74.5%	★★★★☆
2025	70.7	278 of 906	69.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	76.8	225 of 916	75.4%	★★★★☆
2023	78.3	200 of 928	78.4%	★★★★☆
2022	73.5	242 of 932	74.0%	★★★★☆
2021	70.1	278 of 936	70.3%	★★★★☆
2019	79.6	181 of 942	80.8%	★★★★☆
2018	72.8	252 of 934	73.0%	★★★★☆
2017	71.0	265 of 938	71.7%	★★★★☆
2016	77.0	202 of 932	78.3%	★★★★☆
2015	86.5	84 of 914	90.8%	★★★★★
2014	84.5	103 of 926	88.9%	★★★★☆
2013	83.8	124 of 928	86.6%	★★★★☆
2012	89.8	51 of 930	94.5%	★★★★★
2011	89.2	50 of 924	94.6%	★★★★★
2010	86.4	93 of 920	89.9%	★★★★☆
2009	83.9	116 of 909	87.2%	★★★★☆
2008	83.9	119 of 908	86.9%	★★★★☆
2007	79.6	172 of 911	81.1%	★★★★☆
2006	76.2	209 of 911	77.1%	★★★★☆
2005	71.8	268 of 887	69.8%	★★★☆☆
2004	72.5	265 of 882	70.0%	★★★★☆
2003	73.1	253 of 884	71.4%	★★★★☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2022	85.3	54 of 672	92.0%	★★★★★
2019	41.5	355 of 665	46.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	44.1	326 of 656	50.3%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	74.2	214 of 869	75.4%	★★★★☆
2025	61.7	335 of 869	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	79.0	179 of 886	79.8%	★★★★☆
2023	70.6	261 of 887	70.6%	★★★★☆
2022	61.9	344 of 901	61.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	66.3	298 of 898	66.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	72.4	231 of 902	74.4%	★★★★☆
2018	75.4	202 of 893	77.4%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	67.6	165 of 742	77.8%	★★★★☆
2022	70.8	160 of 772	79.3%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	70.9	247 of 879	71.9%	★★★★☆
2025	75.5	211 of 884	76.1%	★★★★☆
2024	72.9	244 of 891	72.6%	★★★★☆
2023	80.6	158 of 896	82.4%	★★★★☆
2022	79.6	157 of 908	82.7%	★★★★☆
2021	70.3	263 of 904	70.9%	★★★★☆
2019	82.6	131 of 907	85.6%	★★★★☆
2018	70.6	256 of 898	71.5%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	35.6	458 of 709	35.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	65.6	166 of 717	76.8%	★★★★☆
2024	58.0	237 of 731	67.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	71.6	144 of 703	79.5%	★★★★☆
2022	67.5	227 of 905	74.9%	★★★★☆
2021	53.8	369 of 894	58.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	39.8	572 of 896	36.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	42.9	516 of 886	41.8%	★★☆☆☆

Tested In Person

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2021	72.8	253 of 925	72.6%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	69.6	194 of 734	73.6%	★★★★☆
2025	52.9	359 of 737	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	71.5	196 of 753	74.0%	★★★★☆
2023	70.0	203 of 762	73.4%	★★★★☆
2022	68.0	219 of 764	71.3%	★★★★☆
2021	64.5	255 of 765	66.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	72.9	177 of 780	77.3%	★★★★☆
2018	59.7	324 of 772	58.0%	★★★☆☆

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)

Disabled (2022)92nd percentile+18 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)78th percentile+3 vs school

Female (2026)75th percentile~ school

White (2026)74th percentile~ school

Tested In Person (2021)73rd percentile~ school

Male (2026)72nd percentile-3 vs school

Special Education (2026)35th percentile-39 vs school

By subject vs Massachusetts (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics59%+18 vs state

English Language Arts53%+13 vs state

★

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Schools Near Houghton 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)			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 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	Total
Houghton Elementary	Public	K-4	32 Boutelle Road	Sterling	01564	Worcester County	Wachusett	No	No	No	Yes	(978) 422-2333	317	28	11.3	13.6%	242 (76.3%)	10 (3.2%)	47 (14.8%)	8 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (3.2%)	74.5	229^th of 899 public elementary schools	74.5%		70.7	278^th of 906 public elementary schools	69.3%	49	55.2	50.8					52.9	69.5	49.2					58.9					$19,750
Major Edwards Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	70 Crescent Street	West Boylston	01583	Worcester County	West Boylston	No	No	No	Yes	(508) 835-4461	462	34	13.7	22.0%	340 (73.6%)	23 (5.0%)	56 (12.1%)	14 (3.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (6.1%)	68.2	280^th of 899 public elementary schools	68.9%		64.8	331^st of 906 public elementary schools	63.5%	51	39.2	57.0	31.7				43.7	48.7	64.6	70.0				60.6	58.3		58.3		$18,617
Thomas Prince	Public	K-8	170 Sterling Road	Princeton	01541	Worcester County	Wachusett	No	No	No	No	(978) 464-2110	355	29	12.2	10.5%	322 (90.7%)	5 (1.4%)	17 (4.8%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.5%)	62.8	335^th of 899 public elementary schools	62.7%		68.5	297^th of 906 public elementary schools	67.2%	38	48.5	52.8	34.0	59.6	54.3	51.6	49.6	54.6	41.7	36.0	50.0	50.0	54.8	47.0	58.0	64.5	60.5	64.5	$15,809
Clinton Elementary	Public	PK, KG-4	100 Church Street	Clinton	01510	Worcester County	Clinton	No	No	No	Yes	(978) 365-4230	870	67	13.0	49.4%	413 (47.5%)	29 (3.3%)	394 (45.3%)	9 (1.0%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (2.8%)	33.6	600^th of 899 public elementary schools	33.3%		50.2	451^st of 906 public elementary schools	50.2%	149	36.8	20.3					28.1	41.6	36.2					38.8					$18,902
Leroy E.Mayo	Public	K-5	351 Bullard Street	Holden	01520	Worcester County	Wachusett	No	No	No	Yes	(508) 829-3203	472	35	13.6	8.8%	373 (79.0%)	22 (4.7%)	41 (8.7%)	18 (3.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	17 (3.6%)	74	233^rd of 899 public elementary schools	74.1%		69.2	288^th of 906 public elementary schools	68.2%	55	56.4	52.6	47.9				52.0	48.7	50.0	64.2				55.0	61.5		61.5		$16,448
Davis Hill Elementary	Public	K-5	78 Jamieson Road	Holden	01520	Worcester County	Wachusett	No	No	No	Yes	(508) 829-1754	431	38	11.3	14.6%	366 (84.9%)	13 (3.0%)	30 (7.0%)	10 (2.3%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (2.6%)	72.9	240^th of 899 public elementary schools	73.3%		81.2	166^th of 906 public elementary schools	81.7%	74	59.7	55.8	53.4				56.2	56.6	54.6	47.7				52.7	48.9		48.9		$16,122
Fall Brook	Public	K-5	25 DeCicco Dr	Leominster	01453	Worcester County	Leominster	No	No	No	Yes	(978) 534-7745	670	45	15.0	46.3%	319 (47.6%)	56 (8.4%)	237 (35.4%)	20 (3.0%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (5.5%)	77.6	197^th of 899 public elementary schools	78.1%		73.6	240^th of 906 public elementary schools	73.5%	43	51.8	58.5	57.1				55.9	55.0	64.2	63.1				60.9	49.6		49.6		$18,622
Boylston Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	200 Sewall Street	Boylston	01505	Worcester County	Berlin-Boylston	No	No	No	Yes	(508) 869-2200	347	27	12.8		271 (78.1%)	4 (1.2%)	39 (11.2%)	19 (5.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (4.0%)	75.6	216^th of 899 public elementary schools	76.0%		78.2	200^th of 906 public elementary schools	77.9%	16	77.8	47.7	57.5				60.4	70.4	46.2	37.5				52.2	70.0		70.0		$18,403
Norrback Avenue	Public	PK, KG-6	44 Malden Street	Worcester	01606	Worcester County	Worcester	No	No	No	Yes	(508) 799-3500	504	43	11.8	57.4%	143 (28.4%)	146 (29.0%)	183 (36.3%)	12 (2.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (3.8%)	19.5	734^th of 899 public elementary schools	18.4%		17.4	770^th of 906 public elementary schools	15.0%	36	25.0	17.2	21.7	20.0			21.0	20.3	25.9	23.9	24.6			23.6	37.0		37.0		$27,007
Burncoat Street	Public	K-6	526 Burncoat Street	Worcester	01606	Worcester County	Worcester	No	No	No	Yes	(508) 799-3537	223	21	10.8	94.5%	63 (28.3%)	32 (14.3%)	118 (52.9%)	6 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.8%)	18.1	747^th of 899 public elementary schools	16.9%		12.2	822^nd of 906 public elementary schools	9.3%	75	33.3	21.1	23.3	19.2			24.2	26.7	7.9	13.3	23.1			16.9	30.0		30.0		$23,532

Frequently Asked Questions about Houghton Elementary

How many students attend Houghton Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 317 students attended Houghton Elementary.

What schools do graduates of Houghton Elementary attend?

Students who attend Houghton Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Chocksett Middle School
High : Wachusett Regional High

What is the racial makeup of Houghton Elementary?

Students at Houghton Elementary are 76% White, 15% Hispanic, 3% African American, 3% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

What district is Houghton Elementary in?

Wachusett

Is Houghton Elementary a good school?

Houghton Elementary ranks 229^th of 899 Massachusetts elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Rate Houghton Elementary!

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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.