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Below Average

#1577 of 1,793 schools in MA

Athol High

High School · Athol-Royalston

2363 Main Street, Athol, MA 01331

Enrollment

414

Student-Teacher

12.9:1

Score

4.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Massachusetts schools

#1,577 of 1,793

In Athol

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 4

Athol-Royalston

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Athol High

4.2/10

High School in Athol · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Athol Community Elementary School

5.5/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Athol-royalston Middle School

3.8/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Athol High

Athol High is a public high school in Athol, MA, part of Athol-Royalston. Athol High serves approximately 414 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Athol High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,577 of 1,793 schools in MA.

Structured state assessment records for Athol High show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.2 pts below MA schools
  • This school 4.2 · Below Average
  • MA avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

34% of students at Athol High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.9Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data17
Annual Change-2.75 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21% (2025 MCAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25% (2025 MCAS)
Math vs. State Avg-24.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27 pts
Overall Proficiency23% (2025 MCAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)30% (model expectation from 2025 MCAS)
vs. Expected-7.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
College Readiness5.0Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate82%
AP Participation12.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.0Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,735
Chronic Absenteeism34.1%

Athol High — Students at Athol High score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 42.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.0% (multi-year state average, 2019-2025)
ELA Proficiency 59.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.6% (multi-year state average, 2019-2025)

Based on 44 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
87%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
87%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
82%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
87%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
36.5%
ELA
46.5%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
23%
ELA
43%
2022
Math
36.5%
ELA
33%
2023
Math
28%
ELA
39%
2024
Math
19%
ELA
38%
2025
Math
21%
ELA
25%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.9/10.

How Athol High Compares

See how Athol High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
12th percentile in MA
Academic
4.3/10
Below Average
Growth
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.9
Sports
18
9 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
12.8% participation·State avg: 2.9 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics18sports offered
9 boys'·9 girls'·23 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2363 Main Street, Athol, MA 01331

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Athol High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Ralph C Mahar Regional (rated 5.0/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Orange), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Narragansett Regional High (rated 4.3/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Baldwinville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Murdock High School (rated 3.6/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Winchendon), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Athol, see our Athol schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Athol Community Elementary School Athol 0.6 mi 5.5
Athol-Royalston Middle School Athol 0.8 mi 3.8
THE VILLAGE SCHOOL Royalston 4.9 mi 5.2
Ralph C Mahar Regional Orange 5.0 mi 5.0
Petersham Center Petersham 6.8 mi 8.4
PETERSHAM MONTESSORI SCHOOLS Petersham 6.9 mi
Fisher Hill School Orange 5.5 mi 6.0
Royalston Community School Royalston 7.2 mi 3.5
Narragansett Regional High Baldwinville 6.6 mi 4.3
Narragansett Middle Baldwinville 6.6 mi 3.5
Templeton Elementary School Templeton 7.3 mi 5.9
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL Richmond 11.2 mi 5.0
Swift River New Salem 8.9 mi 3.9
Ruggles Lane Barre 11.7 mi 5.4
Toy Town Elementary Winchendon 10.5 mi 6.1
Murdock Academy for Success Winchendon 10.5 mi
Dr. George S. Emerson Elementary School Fitzwilliam 13.3 mi 5.7
SEVEN HILLS/STETSON SCHOOL Barre 12.9 mi 6.1
Murdock High School Winchendon 11.4 mi 3.6
Murdock Middle School Winchendon 11.4 mi 4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 01331 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,345

Median Home Value

$257,300

Median Rent

$1,041/mo

Population

13,865

College Educated

20.6%

Homeownership

74.7%

Avg Commute

27.7 min

Poverty Rate

13.2%

Median Age

42.7

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
BISHOP STANG HIGH SCHOOL North Dartmouth, MA 4.3
Map Academy Charter School Plymouth, MA 4.3
Narragansett Regional High Baldwinville, MA 4.3
Excel High School South Boston, MA 4.0
NOTRE DAME ACADEMY Hingham, MA 4.4
Ware Junior/Senior High School Ware, MA 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Athol High

What grades does Athol High serve?

Athol High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Athol High?

Athol High has an enrollment of approximately 414 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Athol High?

The student-teacher ratio at Athol High is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Athol High rank in MA?

Athol High ranks #1,577 of 1,793 schools in MA.

What is Athol High's MySchoolScout rating?

Athol High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Athol High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Athol High has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Athol High a charter school?

No, Athol High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Athol High a Title I school?

No, Athol High is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
38 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
414
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Worcester County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.1%
4-Year Graduation
82.0%

District

Athol-Royalston
District Enrollment
1,596
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,735
District Rank
#2 of 4

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