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Below Average

#1538 of 1,793 schools in MA

Hawthorne Brook

Middle School · North Middlesex

64 Brookline Street, Townsend, MA 01469

Enrollment

452

Student-Teacher

11.9:1

Score

4.4

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Massachusetts schools

#1,538 of 1,793

In Townsend

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#6 of 7

North Middlesex

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Hawthorne Brook

4.4/10

Middle School in Townsend · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Squannacook Early Childhood Center

5.0/10

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

Spaulding Memorial

5.4/10

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

About Hawthorne Brook

Hawthorne Brook is a public middle school in Townsend, MA, part of North Middlesex. Hawthorne Brook serves approximately 452 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Hawthorne Brook has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,538 of 1,793 schools in MA.

Structured state assessment records for Hawthorne Brook show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.3
  • MA avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Hawthorne Brook 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 Progress3.0Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data17
Annual Change-3.27 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.4% (2025 MCAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38% (2025 MCAS)
Math vs. State Avg-13.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.3 pts
Overall Proficiency33% (2025 MCAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)51% (model expectation from 2025 MCAS)
vs. Expected-17.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment6.6Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,148
Chronic Absenteeism17.7%

Hawthorne Brook — Students at Hawthorne Brook score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 38.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
42.0% (multi-year state average, 2018-2025)
ELA Proficiency 52.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
45.5% (multi-year state average, 2018-2025)

Based on 116 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
54%
ELA
75%
2010
Math
52%
ELA
79%
2011
Math
54%
ELA
75%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
76%
2013
Math
54%
ELA
71%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
73%
2015
Math
51%
ELA
76%
2016
Math
51%
ELA
55%
2017
Math
49%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
47.8%
ELA
57.5%
2019
Math
44.2%
ELA
57.3%
2020*
Math
33%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
33.2%
ELA
51.5%
2022
Math
38.8%
ELA
45.7%
2023
Math
28.4%
ELA
45.2%
2024
Math
27.2%
ELA
34.2%
2025
Math
27.4%
ELA
38%

* 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: 3.0/10.

How Hawthorne Brook Compares

See how Hawthorne Brook performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.4/10
14th percentile in MA
Academic
4.3/10
Below Average
Growth
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.6/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
17.7%

Location

64 Brookline Street, Townsend, MA 01469

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hawthorne Brook may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Captain Samuel Douglass Academy (rated 7.8/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Brookline), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lunenburg Middle School (rated 5.9/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Lunenburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Nissitissit Middle School (rated 4.3/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Pepperell), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Townsend, see our Townsend schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Squannacook Early Childhood Center Townsend 0.1 mi 5.0
Spaulding Memorial Townsend 0.6 mi 5.4
North Middlesex Regional Townsend 2.6 mi 6.2
Captain Samuel Douglass Academy Brookline 3.0 mi 7.8
Lunenburg Primary School Lunenburg 5.1 mi 4.5
Richard Maghakian Memorial School Brookline 4.9 mi 7.2
Turkey Hill Elementary School Lunenburg 5.2 mi 6.5
Lunenburg High Lunenburg 5.3 mi 6.2
Lunenburg Middle School Lunenburg 5.3 mi 5.9
Advanced Community Experience Program Lunenburg 5.4 mi
Mason Elementary School Mason 5.8 mi 9.0
Nissitissit Middle School Pepperell 5.6 mi 4.3
Varnum Brook Pepperell 5.8 mi 5.6
Fitchburg High Fitchburg 6.5 mi 5.6
McKay Elementary School Fitchburg 7.1 mi 6.2
PEPPERELL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Pepperell 6.2 mi
Ashby Elementary Ashby 6.1 mi 7.0
MAPLE DENE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pepperell 6.2 mi
Hollis-Brookline High School Hollis 6.8 mi 8.8
Sizer School: A North Central Charter Essential School Fitchburg 7.1 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 01469 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$113,162

Median Home Value

$385,200

Median Rent

$1,121/mo

Population

6,803

College Educated

40.7%

Homeownership

84.3%

Avg Commute

41 min

Poverty Rate

6.5%

Median Age

40.4

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
Gardner Middle School Gardner, 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 Hawthorne Brook

What grades does Hawthorne Brook serve?

Hawthorne Brook serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Hawthorne Brook?

Hawthorne Brook has an enrollment of approximately 452 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hawthorne Brook?

The student-teacher ratio at Hawthorne Brook is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hawthorne Brook rank in MA?

Hawthorne Brook ranks #1,538 of 1,793 schools in MA.

What is Hawthorne Brook's MySchoolScout rating?

Hawthorne Brook 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 Hawthorne Brook?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hawthorne Brook has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Hawthorne Brook a charter school?

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

Is Hawthorne Brook a Title I school?

No, Hawthorne Brook is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
452
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Middlesex County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
17.7%

District

North Middlesex
District Enrollment
2,994
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,148
District Rank
#6 of 7

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