Summary:
The three elementary schools located in the 01550 zip code - Eastford Road, West Street, and Charlton Street - are all performing well below the state average on academic measures, with consistently low proficiency rates on MCAS exams. Despite relatively high per-student spending and low student-teacher ratios, these schools have been ranked in the bottom 10% of Massachusetts elementary schools by SchoolDigger, with a 0-star rating out of 5.
The data indicates that all three schools are struggling academically, with very low proficiency rates in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, the percentage of students proficient or better in ELA for all grades ranges from just 4.57% at Charlton Street to 7.8% at West Street, compared to the state average of 41.53%. This poor performance is consistent across the schools and over time, suggesting a systemic issue within the Southbridge school district that needs to be addressed.
The data also suggests that the schools likely serve a population with significant socioeconomic challenges, which may contribute to their poor academic performance. While the specific free/reduced lunch rates are not provided, the Southbridge district as a whole has a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students. Despite the relatively high per-student spending and low student-teacher ratios, the schools have been unable to improve their performance, indicating a need for a comprehensive review of the district's strategies and interventions to address the root causes of these issues.
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