Below Average
#1439 of 1,791 schools in MA
Gardner Middle School
Middle School · Gardner
297 Catherine Street, Gardner, MA 01440
Enrollment
483
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
4.9
Grades
5th – 7th
Enrollment
483
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
4.9
Grades
5th – 7th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gardner
#4 of 4
public schools
Massachusetts middle schools
#246 of 305
In district
#4 of 4
Gardner
Academic growth
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Gardner Middle School
Gardner Middle School, located in Gardner, Massachusetts, serves students from fifth to seventh grade. With an enrollment of 483 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1, the school provides personalized attention to each student. The faculty consists of 32 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting their young scholars.
Gardner Middle School has received a MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks 1569th among all Massachusetts schools in terms of state ranking, placing it in the 13th percentile. Academically, proficiency rates for ELA/Reading are at 23%, Math is also at 24%, and Science scores stand at 23%. While these numbers suggest room for improvement, the school remains committed to fostering student development.
Situated in a mid-size suburb, Gardner Middle School benefits from its community atmosphere. The area offers a mix of residential neighborhoods and local amenities, providing students with a supportive environment as they navigate middle school.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Gardner Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Gardner Middle School — Students at Gardner Middle School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 74 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: 7.4/10.
How Gardner Middle School Compares
See how Gardner Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2019) to 24% (2022).
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 4.8/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Ashburnham), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Narragansett Middle (rated 3.4/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Baldwinville), a more accessible option. 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 | 5.2 |
| Gardner Elementary School Gardner | 0.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Gardner Academy for Learning and Technology Gardner | 0.8 mi | 5.7 |
| HOLY FAMILY ACADEMY Gardner | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| WACHUSETT HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gardner | 2.0 mi | — |
| Overlook Middle School Ashburnham | 2.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Briggs Elementary Ashburnham | 3.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Oakmont Regional High School Ashburnham | 3.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Meetinghouse School Westminster | 4.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Westminster Elementary Westminster | 4.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Templeton Elementary School Templeton | 5.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Narragansett Regional High Baldwinville | 4.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Narragansett Middle Baldwinville | 4.9 mi | 3.4 |
| Hubbardston Center Hubbardston | 7.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical Fitchburg | 6.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Toy Town Elementary Winchendon | 8.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Murdock Academy for Success Winchendon | 8.0 mi | — |
| Memorial Winchendon | 8.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Winchendon PreSchool Program Winchendon | 8.4 mi | 5.0 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Gardner Middle School has a median household income of $63,526. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $270,500, with a median rent of $1,071/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| David J. Quinn Middle School Hudson, MA | 4.9 |
| Greenfield Middle Greenfield, MA | 4.9 |
| Guilmette Middle School Lawrence, MA | 4.9 |
| Hawthorne Brook Townsend, MA | 4.9 |
| Robert J. Coelho Middle School Attleboro, MA | 4.9 |
| Tyngsborough Middle Tyngsborough, MA | 4.9 |
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 is ranked #1439 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Gardner Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Gardner Middle School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Gardner Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gardner Middle School has 23.7% math proficiency and 23.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- Elevated (958/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Gardner). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (978) 632-1603
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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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