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Excellent

#173 of 1,793 schools in MA

Top 10% in state

Chester Elementary

Elementary School · Gateway

325 Middlefield Road, Chester, MA 01011

Enrollment

117

Student-Teacher

9.8:1

Score

8.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Massachusetts schools

#173 of 1,793

In district

#1 of 4

Gateway

Academic growth

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Chester Elementary

8.6/10

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

Becket Washington School

6.1/10

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

R. H. Conwell

4.0/10

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

About Chester Elementary

Chester Elementary is a public elementary school in Chester, MA, part of Gateway. Chester Elementary serves approximately 117 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 9.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Chester Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #173 of 1,793 schools in MA.

Structured state assessment records for Chester Elementary show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.1 pts above district
  • This school 8.6 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.5
  • MA avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 117 students, Chester Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

At 9.8:1 students to teachers, Chester Elementary sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Chester Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.4Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data17
Annual Change+0.41 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48.5% (2025 MCAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45% (2025 MCAS)
Math vs. State Avg+6.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.4 pts
Overall Proficiency47% (2025 MCAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2025 MCAS)
vs. Expected+1.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
Resources & Environment8.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,217
Chronic Absenteeism17.9%

Chester Elementary — Students at Chester Elementary score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 44.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
43.0% (multi-year state average, 2018-2025)
ELA Proficiency 47.2% (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
69.5%
ELA
90%
2010
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2011
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2012
Math
64.5%
ELA
34.5%
2013
Math
74.5%
ELA
54.5%
2014
Math
54.5%
ELA
44.5%
2015
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%
2016
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2017
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2018
Math
41.6%
ELA
54.4%
2019
Math
39.4%
ELA
53.1%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2021*
Math
21.9%
ELA
37.1%
2022
Math
36.3%
ELA
41.3%
2023
Math
49.3%
ELA
33%
2024
Math
68.3%
ELA
49.7%
2025
Math
48.5%
ELA
45%

* 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: 9.4/10.

How Chester Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.6/10
90th percentile in MA
Academic
7.2/10
Very Good
Growth
9.4/10
Excellent
Environment
8.7/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
17.9%

Location

325 Middlefield Road, Chester, MA 01011

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Chester Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Farmington River Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Otis), with a very similar rating. Another option is Williams (rated 8.3/10, 14.9 miles away, in nearby Pittsfield), with a very similar rating. Additionally, New Hingham Regional Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Chesterfield), a more accessible option. For more schools in Chester, see our Chester schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Becket Washington School Becket 5.6 mi 6.1
R. H. Conwell Worthington 7.4 mi 4.0
Gateway Regional High Huntington 6.7 mi 5.8
Gateway Regional Middle School Huntington 6.7 mi 4.3
Littleville Elementary School Huntington 6.7 mi 4.4
Farmington River Elementary Otis 8.5 mi 8.6
New Hingham Regional Elementary Chesterfield 10.0 mi 7.5
Kittredge Hinsdale 12.0 mi 7.5
Hampshire Regional High Westhampton 10.8 mi 6.9
Westhampton Elementary School Westhampton 11.3 mi 4.6
Nessacus Regional Middle School Dalton 14.2 mi 7.5
Wahconah Regional High Dalton 14.4 mi 8.0
Lee Elementary Lee 12.9 mi 5.6
ST AGNES ACADEMY Dalton 15.4 mi 5.9
Lee Middle/High School Lee 13.1 mi 6.2
ST MARY'S SCHOOL Lee 13.3 mi 4.8
Craneville Dalton 15.8 mi 7.2
Williams Pittsfield 14.9 mi 8.3
COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Granville 17.3 mi 5.7
William E Norris Southampton 13.8 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 01011 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$87,012

Median Home Value

$280,900

Median Rent

$1,134/mo

Population

1,205

College Educated

22.9%

Homeownership

83.2%

Avg Commute

33.7 min

Poverty Rate

4.1%

Median Age

46

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Farmington River Elementary Otis, MA 8.6
Orleans Elementary Orleans, MA 8.6
ALHUDA ACADEMY Worcester, MA 8.7
Truro Central Truro, MA 8.7
Petersham Center Petersham, MA 8.4
AL-HAMRA ACADEMY Shrewsbury, MA 8.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Chester Elementary

What grades does Chester Elementary serve?

Chester Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Chester Elementary?

Chester Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 117 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Chester Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Chester Elementary is 9.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Chester Elementary rank in MA?

Chester Elementary ranks #173 of 1,793 schools in MA.

What is Chester Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Chester Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 Chester Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Chester Elementary has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Chester Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Chester Elementary a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
117
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Hampden County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
17.9%

District

Gateway
District Enrollment
752
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$25,217
District Rank
#1 of 4

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