Best Schools in Palmer, Massachusetts
3 schools · 1 Elementary · 2 High
Choosing a school in Palmer?
Use this page to compare every school in Palmer by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Pathfinder Vocational Technical
High · Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Palmer High
High · Palmer. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Old Mill Pond
Elementary · Palmer. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Palmer for 2026 are Pathfinder Vocational Technical (7.4/10), Palmer High (6.5/10), and Old Mill Pond (6.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
6.7
out of 10
Median Home
$251,300
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
6.7
out of 10
Median Home
$251,300
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Palmer
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 3). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pathfinder Vocational Technical | 7.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Palmer High | 6.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Old Mill Pond | 6.1 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.7/10
- Median household income
- $79,725
- Median home value
- $251,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 25%
- Avg commute
- 34 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 74%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Palmer compares
Massachusetts rank
#99 of 238
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.4
above Massachusetts avg (6.3)
Median household income
$80k
70% of Massachusetts median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Palmer, Massachusetts
Palmer, Massachusetts is home to 3 schools, including 3 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, , and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.7 out of 10, schools in Palmer show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Palmer is Pathfinder Vocational Technical with a composite score of 7.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Palmer is served by 2 school districts: Palmer, Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical. These districts collectively serve 1,728 students.
Palmer's community shows 25% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $79,725. The poverty rate in the area is 8.4%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 576 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.1 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 643 students · 9th–12th | 7.4 |
| 2 | 509 students · 6th–12th | 6.5 |
Schools in Palmer
Palmer, Massachusetts · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$79,725
Median Home Value
$251,300
Median Rent
$929/mo
Population
9,077
College Educated
25%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
34 min
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Community Profile
Palmer has a median household income of $79,725. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $251,300, with a median rent of $929/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Massachusetts
- Elementary
- 1
- High
- 2
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Massachusetts
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Palmer, Massachusetts
How many schools are in Palmer, Massachusetts?
Palmer has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Palmer, Massachusetts?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Palmer is 6.7 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Palmer, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked school in Palmer on MySchoolScout is Pathfinder Vocational Technical with a composite score of 7.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Palmer, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked elementary school in Palmer on MySchoolScout is Old Mill Pond with a composite score of 6.1/10.
What is the best high school in Palmer, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked high school in Palmer on MySchoolScout is Pathfinder Vocational Technical with a composite score of 7.4/10.
How many school districts serve Palmer, Massachusetts?
Palmer is served by 2 school districts: Palmer, Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical.
What is the education level in Palmer, Massachusetts?
According to Census data, 25% of adults in Palmer have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Palmer, Massachusetts?
The median household income in Palmer is approximately $79,725 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Palmer, Massachusetts?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Palmer is 10.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Palmer, Massachusetts?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Mass. Dept. of Elementary & Secondary Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.