Below Average
#1677 of 1,791 schools in MA
Athol-royalston Middle School
Middle School · Athol-Royalston
1062 Pleasant Street, Athol, MA 01331
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
4.0
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
4.0
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Athol
#3 of 3
public schools
Massachusetts middle schools
#293 of 305
In district
#4 of 4
Athol-Royalston
About Athol-royalston Middle School
Athol-Royalston Middle School, located in the rural setting of Athol, Massachusetts, serves students from fifth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 463 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each student thrive. The dedicated faculty of 34 full-time equivalent teachers work diligently to support academic growth and development.
While Athol-Royalston Middle School currently ranks in the lower third among Massachusetts schools according to MySchoolScout's rating system, with room for improvement in test scores—26% proficiency in ELA/Reading, 22% in Math, and 27% in Science—the community remains committed to enhancing educational opportunities. The school focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages student development beyond just standardized tests. Athol-Royalston Middle School is situated near the heart of Athol, nestled among its rural surroundings, providing students with a tight-knit and nurturing atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Athol-royalston Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Athol-royalston Middle School — Students at Athol-royalston Middle School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 94 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 4.7/10.
How Athol-royalston Middle School Compares
See how Athol-royalston Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 35% (2019) to 18% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 31% (2019) to 19% (2022).
Location
1062 Pleasant Street, Athol, MA 01331
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Athol-royalston Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Quabbin Regional Middle School (rated 4.5/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Barre), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Narragansett Middle (rated 3.4/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Baldwinville), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Athol, see our Athol schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Athol Community Elementary School Athol | 0.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Athol High Athol | 0.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Petersham Center Petersham | 6.2 mi | 7.2 |
| THE VILLAGE SCHOOL Royalston | 5.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Ralph C Mahar Regional Orange | 4.7 mi | 4.3 |
| PETERSHAM MONTESSORI SCHOOLS Petersham | 6.3 mi | — |
| Fisher Hill School Orange | 5.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Royalston Community School Royalston | 8.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Narragansett Regional High Baldwinville | 7.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Narragansett Middle Baldwinville | 7.0 mi | 3.4 |
| Templeton Elementary School Templeton | 7.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Swift River New Salem | 8.3 mi | 4.4 |
| IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL Richmond | 11.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Ruggles Lane Barre | 11.2 mi | 5.7 |
| SEVEN HILLS/STETSON SCHOOL Barre | 12.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Toy Town Elementary Winchendon | 11.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Murdock Academy for Success Winchendon | 11.2 mi | — |
| Quabbin Regional High School Barre | 12.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Quabbin Regional Middle School Barre | 12.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Dr. George S. Emerson Elementary School Fitzwilliam | 14.1 mi | 6.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Athol-royalston Middle School has a median household income of $68,345. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $257,300, with a median rent of $1,041/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.2%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Dudley Middle School Dudley, MA | 3.9 |
| Frost Middle School Lawrence, MA | 3.9 |
| Northbridge Middle Whitinsville, MA | 3.9 |
| Christa McAuliffe Charter School Framingham, MA | 4.2 |
| Barnstable Intermediate School Hyannis, MA | 4.3 |
| Knox Trail Middle School Spencer, MA | 3.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Athol-royalston Middle School
What grades does Athol-royalston Middle School serve?
Athol-royalston Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Athol-royalston Middle School?
Athol-royalston Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 463 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Athol-royalston Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Athol-royalston Middle School is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Athol-royalston Middle School rank in MA?
Athol-royalston Middle School is ranked #1677 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Athol-royalston Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Athol-royalston Middle School has a composite rating of 4.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Athol-royalston Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Athol-royalston Middle School has 22.1% math proficiency and 25.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Athol-royalston Middle School a charter school?
No, Athol-royalston Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Athol-royalston Middle School a Title I school?
No, Athol-royalston Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,192/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Athol). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 463
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Worcester County
- Phone
- (978) 249-2430
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Athol-Royalston- District Enrollment
- 1,596
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,735
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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