Skip to main content

Very Good

#559 of 1,791 schools in MA

Top 31% in state

Bernardston Elementary

Elementary School · Pioneer Valley

37 School Road, Bernardston, MA 01337

Enrollment

207

Student-Teacher

11.5:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Massachusetts elementary schools

#339 of 1,022

In district

#1 of 3

Pioneer Valley

School environment

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Bernardston Elementary

Bernardston Elementary is a rural public school located in Bernardston, Massachusetts. Spanning from pre-kindergarten to sixth grade, the school serves a diverse range of young learners with an enrollment of 207 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.5:1. The dedicated staff includes 18 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support each child's educational journey.

While Bernardston Elementary has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks 36th percentile in the state, it focuses on student development with room for academic growth. In recent assessments, 39% of students were proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 34% in Math, and 46% in Science. These numbers highlight areas where the school is working to improve its curriculum and teaching methods.

Set in a peaceful rural area near Bernardston town, Bernardston Elementary provides a nurturing environment that encourages learning through community engagement and local support.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Bernardston Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Bernardston Elementary 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 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change-0.58 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.0Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Math vs. State Avg-21.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.6 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-15.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,877

Bernardston Elementary — Students at Bernardston Elementary score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 31.4%
School
State
43.1%
ELA Proficiency 40.3%
School
State
45.7%

Based on 74 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2018
Math
31.3%
ELA
50%
2019
Math
34.4%
ELA
44.4%
2021*
Math
21%
ELA
43.2%
2022
Math
24.2%
ELA
40%
2023
Math
31.8%
ELA
35%
2024
Math
43.5%
ELA
31.3%
2025
Math
37.5%
ELA
36.8%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Bernardston Elementary Compares

See how Bernardston Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
69th percentile in MA
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
8.4/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Location

37 School Road, Bernardston, MA 01337

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bernardston Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Gill Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Gill), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hillcrest Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Turners Falls), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Sheffield Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Turners Falls), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bernardston, see our Bernardston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.8 mi
School Distance Rating
GREENFIELD CENTER SCHOOL Greenfield 3.3 mi 6.3
STONELEIGH-BURNHAM SCHOOL Greenfield 3.8 mi 8.0
FOUR WINDS SCHOOL Gill 3.9 mi
Discovery School at Four Corners Greenfield 4.2 mi 6.3
Gill Elementary Gill 3.4 mi 8.7
Sheffield Elementary School Turners Falls 4.6 mi 7.0
Hillcrest Elementary School Turners Falls 4.7 mi 7.9
Greenfield High Greenfield 4.5 mi 5.0
Pioneer Valley Regional Northfield 4.0 mi 5.3
The Academy of Early Learning at North Parish Greenfield 4.9 mi 6.5
Greenfield Middle Greenfield 5.2 mi 4.9
Franklin County Technical Turners Falls 5.1 mi 5.9
Turners Fall High Montague 5.5 mi 5.0
Great Falls Middle Montague 5.5 mi 5.7
Federal Street School Greenfield 5.5 mi 5.5
Greater Commonwealth Virtual School Greenfield 5.8 mi 4.0
Four Rivers Charter Public School Greenfield 5.7 mi 7.2
Newton School Greenfield 6.2 mi 3.5
Erving Elementary Erving 6.5 mi 6.8
Northfield Elementary Northfield 5.8 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 01337 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,274

Median Home Value

$312,300

Median Rent

$997/mo

Population

2,515

College Educated

31.5%

Homeownership

82.4%

Avg Commute

23.3 min

Poverty Rate

6.9%

Median Age

50.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bernardston Elementary has a median household income of $79,274. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $312,300, with a median rent of $997/month. The local poverty rate of 6.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Abner Gibbs Westfield, MA 7.1
Arthur T Talmadge Springfield, MA 7.1
Bentley Academy Innovation School Salem, MA 7.1
QUINCY CATHOLIC ACADEMY Quincy, MA 7.1
Quarry Hill Community School Monson, MA 7.1
Tynan Elementary School South Boston, MA 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bernardston Elementary

What grades does Bernardston Elementary serve?

Bernardston Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Bernardston Elementary?

Bernardston Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 207 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bernardston Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Bernardston Elementary 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 Bernardston Elementary rank in MA?

Bernardston Elementary is ranked #559 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is Bernardston Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Bernardston Elementary has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Bernardston Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bernardston Elementary has 31.4% math proficiency and 40.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bernardston Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Bernardston Elementary a Title I school?

No, Bernardston Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Average (386/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bernardston). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
207
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Franklin County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pioneer Valley
District Enrollment
616
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$24,829
District Rank
#1 of 3

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 methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.