Excellent
#83 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 5% in state
Center School
Elementary School · Nashoba
403 Great Rd, Stow, MA 01775
Enrollment
500
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
500
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Stow
#1 of 2
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#51 of 1,022
In district
#1 of 6
Nashoba
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Center School
Center School is a public elementary school in Stow, Massachusetts, serving 500 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade. The school earns a composite score of 9.4 out of 10 — an Exceptional rating — powered by a 9.1 academic score and a 9.8 growth score. It ranks 23rd out of 1,791 public schools in Massachusetts, outperforming 99% of the state.
Among Massachusetts elementary schools, Center School places 16th out of 1,022. The 9.8 growth score is the highest dimension in its ratings profile, pointing to a school where students make measurable academic gains. A student-teacher ratio of 12.2 to 1 gives teachers the bandwidth to sustain that progress across 500 students.
Center School is the top-ranked of Stow's two public schools. Families evaluating elementary options in the area will find consistent strength across both academic performance and student growth. A top-25 position among nearly 1,800 Massachusetts public schools, combined with an Exceptional composite rating, makes this one of the clearest choices for families prioritizing academic outcomes at the elementary level.
Score Breakdown
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Center School — Students at Center School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 60 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.8/10.
How Center School Compares
See how Center School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 78% (2019) to 72% (2022).
Location
403 Great Rd, Stow, MA 01775
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Center School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Paul P Gates Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Acton), with a very similar rating. Another option is McCarthy-Towne School (rated 7.2/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Acton), a more accessible option. Additionally, Blanchard Memorial School (rated 7.0/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Boxborough), a more accessible option. For more schools in Stow, see our Stow schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hale Stow | 0.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Blanchard Memorial School Boxborough | 3.1 mi | 7.0 |
| THE IMAGO SCHOOL ASSOCIATION Maynard | 2.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Green Meadow Maynard | 2.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Mulready Elementary Hudson | 3.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Fowler School Maynard | 2.8 mi | 7.4 |
| C.T. Douglas Elementary School Acton | 3.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Paul P Gates Elementary School Acton | 3.4 mi | 8.7 |
| Carol Huebner Early Childhood Program Acton | 3.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Maynard High Maynard | 3.1 mi | 8.5 |
| Forest Avenue Elementary Hudson | 3.8 mi | 5.3 |
| MEADOWBROOK CHILD GARDEN Marlborough | 4.3 mi | — |
| Raymond J Grey Junior High Acton | 3.8 mi | 8.3 |
| David J. Quinn Middle School Hudson | 3.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Acton-Boxborough Regional High Acton | 3.9 mi | 7.9 |
| McCarthy-Towne School Acton | 3.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Merriam School Acton | 3.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Charles Jaworek School Marlborough | 5.1 mi | 4.5 |
| DARNELL SCHOOL FOR EDUCATIONAL & BEHAVIORAL SERVIC Hudson | 4.5 mi | — |
| C A Farley Hudson | 4.3 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 01775 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$177,862
Median Home Value
$657,900
Median Rent
$1,829/mo
Population
7,109
College Educated
76.6%
Homeownership
85.5%
Avg Commute
36.4 min
Poverty Rate
5%
Median Age
44.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Center School has a median household income of $177,862. It is a well-educated community where 77% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $657,900, with a median rent of $1,829/month. The local poverty rate of 5.0% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 36 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 |
|---|---|
| Bancroft Elementary Andover, MA | 8.8 |
| Carlisle School Carlisle, MA | 8.8 |
| Newbury Elementary Newbury, MA | 8.8 |
| Pine Grove Rowley, MA | 8.8 |
| South Stoneham, MA | 8.8 |
| John A Bishop Arlington, MA | 8.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Center School
What grades does Center School serve?
Center School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Center School?
Center School has an enrollment of approximately 500 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Center School?
The student-teacher ratio at Center School is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Center School rank in MA?
Center School is ranked #83 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Center School's MySchoolScout rating?
Center School has a composite rating of 8.8 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 Center School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Center School has 55.6% math proficiency and 58.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Center School a charter school?
No, Center School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Center School a Title I school?
No, Center School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Stow). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 500
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Middlesex County
- Phone
- (978) 897-0290
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Nashoba- District Enrollment
- 3,031
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,632
- District Rank
- #1 of 6
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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