Very Good
#479 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 27% in state
Helen R Donaghue School
Elementary School · Pentucket
24 Union Street Ext., Merrimac, MA 01860
Enrollment
245
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
7.3
Grades
3rd – 6th
Enrollment
245
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
7.3
Grades
3rd – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Merrimac
#1 of 2
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#298 of 1,022
In district
#4 of 6
Pentucket
Academic growth
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Helen R Donaghue School
Helen R Donaghue School is a regular public elementary school located in Merrimac, Massachusetts. Serving students from third through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 245 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1 with 22 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's academic performance reflects that it is focusing on student development, as indicated by its MySchoolScout Rating of 5.7 out of 10 and state ranking of #806 out of 1796 schools in Massachusetts (placing it at the 55th percentile).
In terms of proficiency rates, 41% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 44% in Math, and 43% in Science. Helen R Donaghue School is situated in a large suburban area, offering its students a vibrant community setting with access to local amenities and resources.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Helen R Donaghue School — Students at Helen R Donaghue School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 9.0/10.
How Helen R Donaghue School Compares
See how Helen R Donaghue School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 41% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 39% (2022).
Location
24 Union Street Ext., Merrimac, MA 01860
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Helen R Donaghue School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. South Hampton Barnard School (rated 9.3/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby South Hampton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dr John C Page School (rated 8.2/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby West Newbury), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Charles C Cashman Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Amesbury), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Merrimac, see our Merrimac schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MERRIMAC HEIGHTS ACADEMY Merrimac | 0.6 mi | — |
| Dr Frederick N Sweetsir Merrimac | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Whittier Regional Vocational Haverhill | 1.6 mi | 6.8 |
| THE CHILDRENS CASTLE West Newbury | 2.4 mi | — |
| Pentucket Regional Middle West Newbury | 3.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Pentucket Regional Sr High West Newbury | 3.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Dr John C Page School West Newbury | 2.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Charles C Cashman Elementary Amesbury | 3.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Shay Elementary Amesbury | 3.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Amesbury High Amesbury | 3.5 mi | 6.2 |
| South Hampton Barnard School South Hampton | 4.3 mi | 9.3 |
| SEACOAST LEARNING COLLABORATIVE Newton | 4.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Memorial School Newton | 4.0 mi | 3.9 |
| AMESBURY MONTESSORI Amesbury | 3.8 mi | — |
| AMESBURY SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST SCHOOL South Hampton | 4.5 mi | — |
| Golden Hill Haverhill | 4.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Amesbury Innovation High School Amesbury | 4.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Dr Paul Nettle Haverhill | 4.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Pentucket Lake Elementary Haverhill | 4.2 mi | 3.7 |
| Amesbury Middle Amesbury | 4.1 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 01860 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$116,477
Median Home Value
$531,300
Median Rent
$1,236/mo
Population
6,707
College Educated
36.8%
Homeownership
79%
Avg Commute
30.3 min
Poverty Rate
8.3%
Median Age
48.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Helen R Donaghue School has a median household income of $116,477. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $531,300, with a median rent of $1,236/month. The local poverty rate of 8.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Eames Way School Marshfield, MA | 7.3 |
| Edward G. Molin Elementary School Newburyport, MA | 7.3 |
| Ellis Elementary School Roxbury, MA | 7.3 |
| GLEN URQUHART SCHOOL Beverly, MA | 7.3 |
| Hollis Braintree, MA | 7.3 |
| Manchester Memorial Elementary Manchester, MA | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Helen R Donaghue School
What grades does Helen R Donaghue School serve?
Helen R Donaghue School serves students in grades 3rd through 6th.
How many students attend Helen R Donaghue School?
Helen R Donaghue School has an enrollment of approximately 245 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Helen R Donaghue School?
The student-teacher ratio at Helen R Donaghue School is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Helen R Donaghue School rank in MA?
Helen R Donaghue School is ranked #479 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Helen R Donaghue School's MySchoolScout rating?
Helen R Donaghue School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Helen R Donaghue School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Helen R Donaghue School has 44.1% math proficiency and 43.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Helen R Donaghue School a charter school?
No, Helen R Donaghue School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Helen R Donaghue School a Title I school?
No, Helen R Donaghue School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Merrimac). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 6th
- Enrollment
- 245
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Essex County
- Phone
- (978) 346-8921
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pentucket- District Enrollment
- 2,225
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,716
- District Rank
- #4 of 6
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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