Very Good
#573 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 32% in state
Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School
Middle School · Ayer Shirley School District
1 Hospital Road, Shirley, MA 01464
Enrollment
379
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
379
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Shirley
#1 of 2
public schools
Massachusetts middle schools
#83 of 305
In district
#2 of 4
Ayer Shirley School District
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School
Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School is a regular public middle school serving students in grades six through eight. Located at 1 Hospital Road in the suburb of Shirley, Massachusetts, Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School has an enrollment of 379 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.5:1, ensuring that each student receives personalized attention from its 33 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.8 out of 10, placing it at the 58th percentile among Massachusetts schools with a ranking of #756 out of 1796.
In terms of academic performance, Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School has an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 44%, Math proficiency of 37%, and Science proficiency of 55%. While there is room for improvement in some areas, the school continues to focus on student development and support. Surrounded by a large suburban area, Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School benefits from a community setting that offers both quiet neighborhoods and easy access to amenities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School — Students at Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 74 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.7/10.
How Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School Compares
See how Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 35% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 45% (2022).
Location
1 Hospital Road, Shirley, MA 01464
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Groton Dunstable Regional Middle (rated 7.4/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Groton), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Luther Burbank Middle School (rated 5.2/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Lancaster), a more accessible option. Additionally, Sky View Middle School (rated 5.1/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Leominster), a more accessible option. For more schools in Shirley, see our Shirley schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lura A. White Elementary School Shirley | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School Devens | 1.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Page Hilltop Elementary School Ayer | 3.4 mi | 7.0 |
| IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL Harvard | 4.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Ayer Shirley Regional High School Ayer | 3.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Bromfield Harvard | 4.3 mi | 8.5 |
| GROTON SCHOOL Groton | 4.3 mi | 9.2 |
| Hildreth Elementary School Harvard | 4.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Sky View Middle School Leominster | 4.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Lunenburg Primary School Lunenburg | 4.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Luther Burbank Middle School Lancaster | 5.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Mary Rowlandson Elementary Lancaster | 5.7 mi | 6.6 |
| SEVEN HILLS AT GROTON Groton | 5.5 mi | 5.2 |
| DOCTOR FRANKLIN PERKINS SCHOOL Lancaster | 6.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Florence Roche School Groton | 5.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Groton Dunstable Regional Middle Groton | 5.8 mi | 7.4 |
| GROTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL Groton | 5.3 mi | — |
| LAWRENCE ACADEMY Groton | 5.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Boutwell School Groton | 5.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Nashoba Regional Bolton | 6.6 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 01464 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$121,875
Median Home Value
$412,700
Median Rent
$1,189/mo
Population
7,017
College Educated
35.6%
Homeownership
82.3%
Avg Commute
38 min
Poverty Rate
2.1%
Median Age
44.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School has a median household income of $121,875. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $412,700, with a median rent of $1,189/month. The local poverty rate of 2.1% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 38 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Glenbrook Middle Longmeadow, MA | 7.0 |
| John J. McGlynn Middle School Medford, MA | 7.0 |
| Locke Middle Billerica, MA | 7.0 |
| Proctor Elementary Topsfield, MA | 7.0 |
| Southbridge Middle School Southbridge, MA | 7.0 |
| Charles E Roderick Wrentham, MA | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School
What grades does Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School serve?
Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School?
Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 379 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School rank in MA?
Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School is ranked #573 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School has 37.3% math proficiency and 43.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School a charter school?
No, Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School a Title I school?
No, Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Shirley). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 379
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Middlesex County
- Phone
- (978) 772-8600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ayer Shirley School District- District Enrollment
- 1,687
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,840
- District Rank
- #2 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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