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Needs Improvement

#1710 of 1,793 schools in MA

Center Elementary School

Elementary School · Chelmsford

84 Billerica Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824

Enrollment

466

Student-Teacher

13.7:1

Score

3.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Massachusetts schools

#1,710 of 1,793

In Chelmsford

#6 of 7

public schools

In district

#7 of 8

Chelmsford

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Center Elementary School

3.4/10

Elementary School in Chelmsford · grades Kindergarten – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Community Education Center

3.2/10

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

Dr Gertrude Bailey

6.9/10

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

About Center Elementary School

Center Elementary School is a public elementary school in Chelmsford, MA, part of Chelmsford. Center Elementary School serves approximately 466 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-4th, and has a 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Center Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,710 of 1,793 schools in MA.

Structured state assessment records for Center Elementary School show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.1 pts below district
  • This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.5
  • MA avg 6.3

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data17
Annual Change-4.71 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency43% (2025 MCAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38% (2025 MCAS)
Math vs. State Avg+0.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.6 pts
Overall Proficiency41% (2025 MCAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)54% (model expectation from 2025 MCAS)
vs. Expected-13.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,243
Chronic Absenteeism10.9%

Center Elementary School — Students at Center Elementary School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 58.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
43.8% (multi-year state average, 2018-2025)
ELA Proficiency 60.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
45.6% (multi-year state average, 2018-2025)

Based on 56 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
78%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
65%
ELA
69.3%
2019
Math
63.7%
ELA
71.3%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
44%
ELA
62.3%
2022
Math
54.3%
ELA
53.7%
2023
Math
42%
ELA
39.5%
2024
Math
40%
ELA
35%
2025
Math
43%
ELA
38%

* 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: 1.6/10.

How Center Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.4/10
5th percentile in MA
Academic
5.3/10
Average
Growth
1.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.9/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
10.9%

Location

84 Billerica Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Center Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. South Row (rated 7.5/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dr Gertrude Bailey (rated 6.9/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Lowell), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Abraham Lincoln (rated 6.6/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Lowell), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Chelmsford, see our Chelmsford schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Community Education Center Chelmsford 0.8 mi 3.2
Dr Gertrude Bailey Lowell 1.5 mi 6.9
South Row Chelmsford 1.6 mi 7.5
James S Daley Middle School Lowell 1.7 mi 8.0
Washington Lowell 1.8 mi 4.9
McCarthy Middle School Chelmsford 1.8 mi 6.4
Laura Lee Therapeutic Day School Lowell 2.1 mi
Charles W Morey Lowell 2.3 mi 4.8
COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lowell 2.5 mi 5.4
GREATER VISIONS CHILDRENS CENTER Chelmsford 2.0 mi
Abraham Lincoln Lowell 2.4 mi 6.6
Chelmsford High North Chelmsford 2.2 mi 7.2
The Career Academy Lowell 2.6 mi 4.3
Collegiate Charter School of Lowell Lowell 2.6 mi 2.8
Dr. Janice Adie Day School Chelmsford 2.1 mi 4.4
Charles D Harrington North Chelmsford 2.4 mi 5.2
Col Moses Parker School Chelmsford 2.4 mi 6.4
John J Shaughnessy Lowell 2.6 mi 3.6
B.F. Butler Middle School Lowell 2.6 mi 6.8
Kathryn P. Stoklosa Middle School Lowell 3.1 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 01824 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$141,337

Median Home Value

$590,900

Median Rent

$2,076/mo

Population

26,628

College Educated

56.9%

Homeownership

82.7%

Avg Commute

29.9 min

Poverty Rate

4.6%

Median Age

42.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Barry Chicopee, MA 3.4
Edward A Sisson Lynn, MA 3.4
Horace Mann Laboratory Salem, MA 3.4
Joseph W Martin Jr Elementary North Attleborough, MA 3.4
Silvio O Conte Community Pittsfield, MA 3.4
Thomas Carroll Peabody, MA 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Center Elementary School

What grades does Center Elementary School serve?

Center Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend Center Elementary School?

Center Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 466 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Center Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Center Elementary School is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Center Elementary School rank in MA?

Center Elementary School ranks #1,710 of 1,793 schools in MA.

What is Center Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Center Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 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 Center Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Center Elementary School has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Center Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Center Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Center Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
50 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
51 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
466
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Middlesex County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
10.9%

District

Chelmsford
District Enrollment
5,130
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,243
District Rank
#7 of 8

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