Below Average
#1524 of 1,793 schools in MA
Gardner Middle School
Middle School · Gardner
297 Catherine Street, Gardner, MA 01440
Enrollment
483
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
4.4
Grades
5th – 7th
Enrollment
483
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
4.4
Grades
5th – 7th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Massachusetts schools
#1,524 of 1,793
In Gardner
#4 of 4
public schools
In district
#4 of 4
Gardner
Academic growth
7.3 / 10
Very Good
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Gardner Middle School
Middle School in Gardner · grades 5th – 7th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Gardner High
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Gardner Elementary School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Gardner Middle School
Gardner Middle School is a public middle school in Gardner, MA, part of Gardner. Gardner Middle School serves approximately 483 students, and covers grades 5th-7th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Gardner Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,524 of 1,793 schools in MA.
Structured state assessment records for Gardner Middle School show 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.4 · Below Average
- MA avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Gardner Middle School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
31% of students at Gardner Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Gardner Middle School — Students at Gardner Middle School score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 96 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.3/10.
How Gardner Middle School Compares
See how Gardner Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
297 Catherine Street, Gardner, MA 01440
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Gardner Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Overlook Middle School (rated 4.5/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Ashburnham), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Narragansett Middle (rated 3.5/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Baldwinville), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Gardner, see our Gardner schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gardner High Gardner | 0.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Gardner Elementary School Gardner | 0.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Gardner Academy for Learning and Technology Gardner | 0.8 mi | 6.3 |
| HOLY FAMILY ACADEMY Gardner | 1.4 mi | 5.7 |
| WACHUSETT HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gardner | 2.0 mi | — |
| Overlook Middle School Ashburnham | 2.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Briggs Elementary Ashburnham | 3.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Oakmont Regional High School Ashburnham | 3.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Meetinghouse School Westminster | 4.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Westminster Elementary Westminster | 4.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Templeton Elementary School Templeton | 5.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Narragansett Regional High Baldwinville | 4.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Narragansett Middle Baldwinville | 4.9 mi | 3.5 |
| Hubbardston Center Hubbardston | 7.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical Fitchburg | 6.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Toy Town Elementary Winchendon | 8.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Murdock Academy for Success Winchendon | 8.0 mi | — |
| Memorial Winchendon | 8.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Winchendon PreSchool Program Winchendon | 8.4 mi | 3.3 |
| Murdock High School Winchendon | 8.5 mi | 3.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 01440 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,526
Median Home Value
$270,500
Median Rent
$1,071/mo
Population
21,298
College Educated
22.7%
Homeownership
57.2%
Avg Commute
30.9 min
Poverty Rate
14.1%
Median Age
43.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Agawam Junior High Feeding Hills, MA | 4.4 |
| Arthur M Longsjo Middle School Fitchburg, MA | 4.4 |
| Hawthorne Brook Townsend, MA | 4.4 |
| Pickering Middle Lynn, MA | 4.4 |
| Roberta G. Doering School Agawam, MA | 4.4 |
| Murdock Middle School Winchendon, MA | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Gardner Middle School
What grades does Gardner Middle School serve?
Gardner Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 7th.
How many students attend Gardner Middle School?
Gardner Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 483 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Gardner Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Gardner Middle School is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Gardner Middle School rank in MA?
Gardner Middle School ranks #1,524 of 1,793 schools in MA.
What is Gardner Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Gardner Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 Gardner Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Gardner Middle School has 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Gardner Middle School a charter school?
No, Gardner Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Gardner Middle School a Title I school?
No, Gardner Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 7th
- Enrollment
- 483
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Worcester County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.3%
- Phone
- (978) 632-1603
Resources & Links
District
Gardner- District Enrollment
- 2,472
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,199
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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