Below Average
#1524 of 1,793 schools in MA
Gardner Middle School
Middle School · Gardner · Gardner, MA
A middle school in Gardner, MA where students score 17 points below what's typical for similar communities.
297 Catherine Street, Gardner, MA 01440
- Math 20% vs MA 41% (2025)
- Reading 14% vs MA 42% (2025)
- 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Gardner Middle School score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
2025 MCAS proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. MA average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 8 points since 2022, to 17% in 2025, across a 17-year record (2009–2025).
Show all 17 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 26% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 29% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 96 test records from MA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Gardner Middle School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Boston map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 8Car-Dependent
- Bike 23Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: Elevated958/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Gardner), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$63,526
Median home value
$270,500
Median rent
$1,071/mo
College educated
22.7%
Homeownership
57.2%
Poverty rate
14.1%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 01440; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
2 from a 5-mile search
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overlook Middle SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 4.5 | 6–8 | 2.9 mi | 535 | Compare → |
| Narragansett MiddleEnrollment path unverified | 3.5 | 5–7 | 4.9 mi | 366 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Gardner
- Schools in district
- 4
- Rank in district
- #4 of 4
- District spending per student
- $17,199NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 12.8%Census SAIPE · 2024
Gardner Middle School is listed in Gardner; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Gardner Middle School
Gardner Middle School is a public middle school in Gardner, MA, part of Gardner, serving approximately 483 students in grades 5th-7th with a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,524 of 1,793 schools in MA. State assessment records show 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- 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
- Area population (ZIP 01440)
- 21,298
- Area average commute
- 30.9 min
- Area median age
- 43.7
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 MCAS · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 MCAS · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- State assessments · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 01440; this does not measure the attendance area.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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