Below Average
#1448 of 1,791 schools in MA
Hawthorne Brook
Middle School · North Middlesex
64 Brookline Street, Townsend, MA 01469
Enrollment
452
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
4.9
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
452
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
4.9
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Townsend
#3 of 4
public schools
Massachusetts middle schools
#252 of 305
In district
#5 of 7
North Middlesex
About Hawthorne Brook
Hawthorne Brook is a middle school serving students from fifth to eighth grade in Townsend, Massachusetts. With an enrollment of 452 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1, the school offers personalized attention and support for each learner. Located in a rural area near town, Hawthorne Brook fosters a close-knit community environment where teachers and students can build strong relationships.
Hawthorne Brook's academic performance shows areas with room for growth. The MySchoolScout rating is 4.7 out of 10, placing the school at 38th percentile among Massachusetts schools. In ELA/Reading, 47% of students are proficient or above, while in Math and Science, those numbers are 36% and 44%, respectively.
The school focuses on student development and offers various programs to help students improve their skills. Hawthorne Brook is situated in a peaceful rural setting that provides a serene environment conducive to learning and personal growth.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Hawthorne Brook may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Hawthorne Brook — Students at Hawthorne Brook score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 94 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: 3.0/10.
How Hawthorne Brook Compares
See how Hawthorne Brook performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 39% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 46% (2022).
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 6.6/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Brookline), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lunenburg Middle School (rated 5.4/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Lunenburg), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Nissitissit Middle School (rated 4.4/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Pepperell), with a comparable 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 | 4.1 |
| Spaulding Memorial Townsend | 0.6 mi | 5.3 |
| North Middlesex Regional Townsend | 2.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Captain Samuel Douglass Academy Brookline | 3.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Lunenburg Primary School Lunenburg | 5.1 mi | 4.4 |
| Richard Maghakian Memorial School Brookline | 4.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Turkey Hill Elementary School Lunenburg | 5.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Lunenburg High Lunenburg | 5.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Lunenburg Middle School Lunenburg | 5.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Advanced Community Experience Program Lunenburg | 5.4 mi | — |
| Mason Elementary School Mason | 5.8 mi | 9.7 |
| Nissitissit Middle School Pepperell | 5.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Varnum Brook Pepperell | 5.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Fitchburg High Fitchburg | 6.5 mi | 6.2 |
| McKay Elementary School Fitchburg | 7.1 mi | 6.4 |
| PEPPERELL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Pepperell | 6.2 mi | — |
| Ashby Elementary Ashby | 6.1 mi | 6.9 |
| MAPLE DENE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pepperell | 6.2 mi | — |
| Hollis-Brookline High School Hollis | 6.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Sizer School: A North Central Charter Essential School Fitchburg | 7.1 mi | 5.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hawthorne Brook has a median household income of $113,162. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $385,200, with a median rent of $1,121/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 41 minutes, which is above the national average. 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 |
| Gardner Middle School Gardner, MA | 4.9 |
| Greenfield Middle Greenfield, MA | 4.9 |
| Guilmette Middle School Lawrence, MA | 4.9 |
| Robert J. Coelho Middle School Attleboro, MA | 4.9 |
| Tyngsborough Middle Tyngsborough, MA | 4.9 |
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 is ranked #1448 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Hawthorne Brook's MySchoolScout rating?
Hawthorne Brook 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 Hawthorne Brook?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hawthorne Brook has 35.7% math proficiency and 47.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (591/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Townsend). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (978) 597-6914
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
North Middlesex- District Enrollment
- 2,994
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,148
- District Rank
- #5 of 7
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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