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Average

#1150 of 1,793 schools in MA

Center School

Elementary School · Nashoba

403 Great Rd, Stow, MA 01775

Enrollment

500

Student-Teacher

12.2:1

Score

5.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Massachusetts schools

#1,150 of 1,793

In Stow

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#6 of 6

Nashoba

School environment

8.5 / 10

Excellent

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Center School

5.6/10

Elementary School in Stow · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Hale

8.0/10

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

Blanchard Memorial School

6.7/10

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

About Center School

Center School is a public elementary school in Stow, MA, part of Nashoba. Center School serves approximately 500 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Center School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,150 of 1,793 schools in MA.

Structured state assessment records for Center School show 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 5.6 · Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • MA avg 6.3

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data17
Annual Change-2.99 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58.3% (2025 MCAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency48.7% (2025 MCAS)
Math vs. State Avg+16.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.1 pts
Overall Proficiency54% (2025 MCAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)57% (model expectation from 2025 MCAS)
vs. Expected-3.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,632
Chronic Absenteeism9.8%

Center School — Students at Center School score 54% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 69.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
43.0% (multi-year state average, 2018-2025)
ELA Proficiency 71.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
45.6% (multi-year state average, 2018-2025)

Based on 82 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
76%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
76%
2014
Math
79%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
85%
ELA
83%
2016
Math
75%
ELA
73%
2017
Math
75%
ELA
76%
2018
Math
76.3%
ELA
77.8%
2019
Math
74.8%
ELA
76.3%
2020*
Math
59%
ELA
78%
2021*
Math
60.5%
ELA
78.8%
2022
Math
66.3%
ELA
71.5%
2023
Math
67%
ELA
69%
2024
Math
65.3%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
58.3%
ELA
48.7%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Center School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.6/10
36th percentile in MA
Academic
7.2/10
Very Good
Growth
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.5/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
9.8%

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 8.9/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Acton), which scores notably higher. Another option is McCarthy-Towne School (rated 7.8/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Acton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Blanchard Memorial School (rated 6.7/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Boxborough), which scores notably higher. 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 8.0
Blanchard Memorial School Boxborough 3.1 mi 6.7
THE IMAGO SCHOOL ASSOCIATION Maynard 2.5 mi 5.7
Green Meadow Maynard 2.7 mi 6.5
Mulready Elementary Hudson 3.2 mi 5.8
Fowler School Maynard 2.8 mi 7.4
C.T. Douglas Elementary School Acton 3.4 mi 6.6
Paul P Gates Elementary School Acton 3.4 mi 8.9
Carol Huebner Early Childhood Program Acton 3.4 mi 4.7
Maynard High Maynard 3.1 mi 8.1
Forest Avenue Elementary Hudson 3.8 mi 5.6
MEADOWBROOK CHILD GARDEN Marlborough 4.3 mi
Raymond J Grey Junior High Acton 3.8 mi 8.9
David J. Quinn Middle School Hudson 3.7 mi 5.0
Acton-Boxborough Regional High Acton 3.9 mi 8.2
McCarthy-Towne School Acton 3.9 mi 7.8
Merriam School Acton 3.9 mi 6.5
Charles Jaworek School Marlborough 5.1 mi 3.8
DARNELL SCHOOL FOR EDUCATIONAL & BEHAVIORAL SERVIC Hudson 4.5 mi
C A Farley Hudson 4.3 mi 5.1

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Charlton Elementary Charlton, MA 5.6
Edward F. Parthum Lawrence, MA 5.6
Gen John J Stefanik Chicopee, MA 5.6
Huckleberry Hill Lynnfield, MA 5.6
John H Duval Whitman, MA 5.6
Julia F Callahan Lynn, MA 5.6

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 ranks #1,150 of 1,793 schools in MA.

What is Center School's MySchoolScout rating?

Center School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 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 School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Center School has 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
24 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
9.8%

District

Nashoba
District Enrollment
3,031
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,632
District Rank
#6 of 6

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