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Below Average

#1491 of 1,791 schools in MA

Collins Middle

Middle School · Salem

29 Highland Avenue, Salem, MA 01970

Enrollment

625

Student-Teacher

11:1

Score

4.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Salem

#10 of 11

public schools

Massachusetts middle schools

#262 of 305

In district

#9 of 10

Salem

School environment

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Collins Middle

Collins Middle is a regular public middle school in Salem, Massachusetts, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 625 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11:1, Collins Middle offers personalized attention in its supportive learning environment. The school has 57 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to guiding students through their middle school years.

Collins Middle's academic performance is focused on development rather than competitive rankings; the MySchoolScout Rating is 3.5 out of 10, and it ranks at #1542 out of 1796 schools in Massachusetts, placing it in the 14th percentile. In terms of proficiency scores, 31% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 24% meet these standards in Math and 28% in Science. Collins Middle is situated in a large suburban area within Essex County, providing a community setting that encourages growth and engagement outside the classroom.

The school’s environment fosters a sense of belonging among its diverse student body as they navigate their middle school years.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.7Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change-2.81 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24%
Math vs. State Avg-22.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.9 pts
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-16.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,931

Collins Middle — Students at Collins Middle score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

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 23.8%
School
State
42.1%
ELA Proficiency 31.1%
School
State
45.5%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2018
Math
38%
ELA
44.5%
2019
Math
36.8%
ELA
39.8%
2021*
Math
15.8%
ELA
30.8%
2022
Math
20%
ELA
23.8%
2023
Math
17.8%
ELA
25.8%
2024
Math
17.3%
ELA
20.3%
2025
Math
21%
ELA
32.8%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How Collins Middle Compares

See how Collins Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
17th percentile in MA
Academic
3.2/10
3.2/10
Growth
3.7/10
Below average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Location

29 Highland Avenue, Salem, MA 01970

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Collins Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Glover (rated 8.4/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Marblehead), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bates (rated 7.7/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bentley Academy Innovation School (rated 7.1/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Salem, see our Salem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
THE PHOENIX SCHOOL Salem 0.5 mi
Horace Mann Laboratory Salem 0.6 mi 4.3
Salem High Salem 0.6 mi 6.6
Saltonstall School Salem 0.7 mi 4.9
New Liberty Innovation School Salem 0.8 mi 6.9
Salem Prep High School Salem 0.8 mi
Witchcraft Heights Salem 0.8 mi 6.6
Salem Academy Charter School Salem 0.9 mi 6.8
Bates Salem 1.4 mi 7.7
Thomas Carroll Peabody 1.4 mi 3.1
Carlton Salem 1.4 mi 5.8
William A Welch Sr Peabody 1.3 mi 4.3
Peabody Personalized Remote Education Program Peabody 1.4 mi 4.3
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL Peabody 1.5 mi 5.8
BISHOP FENWICK HIGH SCHOOL Peabody 1.9 mi 5.3
Salem Early Childhood Salem 1.6 mi 6.7
Bentley Academy Innovation School Salem 1.6 mi 7.1
CHILDRENS WORKSHOP MONTESSORI Marblehead 1.7 mi
CHILDREN'S WORKSHOP MONTESSORI Marblehead 1.7 mi
Glover Marblehead 2.1 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 01970 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$85,189

Median Home Value

$497,500

Median Rent

$1,800/mo

Population

44,115

College Educated

49.7%

Homeownership

51.3%

Avg Commute

29.6 min

Poverty Rate

13.7%

Median Age

38.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Collins Middle has a median household income of $85,189. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $497,500, with a median rent of $1,800/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.7%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Arthur M Longsjo Middle School Fitchburg, MA 4.8
John F Parker Middle Taunton, MA 4.8
John F. Ryan Tewksbury, MA 4.8
John T Reid Middle Pittsfield, MA 4.8
Overlook Middle School Ashburnham, MA 4.8
Pickering Middle Lynn, MA 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Collins Middle

What grades does Collins Middle serve?

Collins Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Collins Middle?

Collins Middle has an enrollment of approximately 625 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Collins Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Collins Middle is 11:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Collins Middle rank in MA?

Collins Middle is ranked #1491 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is Collins Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Collins Middle has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Collins Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Collins Middle has 23.8% math proficiency and 31.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Collins Middle a charter school?

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

Is Collins Middle a Title I school?

No, Collins Middle is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (1,706/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
625
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
Teachers (FTE)
57
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Essex County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Salem
District Enrollment
3,811
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$26,741
District Rank
#9 of 10

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

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