Best Schools in South Hadley, Massachusetts
5 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in South Hadley?
Use this page to compare every school in South Hadley 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.
South Hadley High
High · South Hadley. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Michael E. Smith Middle School
Middle · South Hadley. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School
High · Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public (district). Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in South Hadley for 2026 are South Hadley High (6.3/10), Michael E. Smith Middle School (6.0/10), and Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School (3.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 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
5
in this city
Avg Score
5.2
out of 10
Median Home
$324,800
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
5
in this city
Avg Score
5.2
out of 10
Median Home
$324,800
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in South Hadley
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Hadley High | 6.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Michael E. Smith Middle School | 6.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School | 3.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Mosier | 3.7 / 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
- 5.2/10
- Median household income
- $93,646
- Median home value
- $324,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 50%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 77%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How South Hadley compares
Massachusetts rank
#205 of 238
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.1
below Massachusetts avg (6.3)
Median household income
$94k
82% of Massachusetts median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in South Hadley, Massachusetts
South Hadley, Massachusetts is home to 5 schools, including 5 public schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.2 out of 10, schools in South Hadley 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 South Hadley is South Hadley High with a composite score of 6.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
South Hadley is served by 2 school districts: Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public (District), South Hadley. These districts collectively serve 2,043 students.
South Hadley's community shows 50% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $93,646. The poverty rate in the area is 7.3%.
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
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 265 students · Pre-K–1st | 6.1 |
| 2 | 360 students · 2nd–4th | 3.7 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 511 students · 5th–8th | 6.0 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 508 students · 9th–12th | 6.3 |
| 2 | 399 students · 7th–12th | 3.9 |
Schools in South Hadley
South Hadley, Massachusetts · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$93,646
Median Home Value
$324,800
Median Rent
$1,264/mo
Population
17,410
College Educated
50%
Homeownership
77%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Community Profile
South Hadley has a median household income of $93,646. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $324,800, with a median rent of $1,264/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Massachusetts
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 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 South Hadley, Massachusetts
How many schools are in South Hadley, Massachusetts?
South Hadley has 5 schools, including 5 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in South Hadley, Massachusetts?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in South Hadley is 5.2 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 South Hadley, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked school in South Hadley on MySchoolScout is South Hadley High with a composite score of 6.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in South Hadley, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked elementary school in South Hadley on MySchoolScout is Mosier with a composite score of 3.7/10.
What is the best middle school in South Hadley, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked middle school in South Hadley on MySchoolScout is Michael E. Smith Middle School with a composite score of 6.0/10.
What is the best high school in South Hadley, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked high school in South Hadley on MySchoolScout is South Hadley High with a composite score of 6.3/10.
How many school districts serve South Hadley, Massachusetts?
South Hadley is served by 2 school districts: Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public (district), South Hadley.
What is the education level in South Hadley, Massachusetts?
According to Census data, 50% of adults in South Hadley have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in South Hadley, Massachusetts?
The median household income in South Hadley is approximately $93,646 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in South Hadley, Massachusetts?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in South Hadley is 10.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in South Hadley, 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.