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#1154 of 1,791 schools in MA

Houghton Elementary

Elementary School · Wachusett

32 Boutelle Road, Sterling, MA 01564

Enrollment

318

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

5.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sterling

#2 of 2

public schools

Massachusetts elementary schools

#646 of 1,022

In district

#4 of 13

Wachusett

Equity

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Houghton Elementary

Houghton Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Sterling, Massachusetts. Serving kindergarten through fourth grade, the school has an enrollment of 318 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1 with 23 full-time equivalent teachers. Houghton Elementary focuses on providing a supportive educational environment within its large suburban setting.

According to MySchoolScout's rating system, Houghton Elementary scores a 6.0 out of 10 overall and ranks 59th percentile among Massachusetts schools, placing it at #735 out of 1,796 schools in the state. In terms of academic performance, 59% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 54% reach proficiency in Math. Houghton Elementary is situated in a bustling suburban area that offers its students a variety of community resources and activities to complement their education.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change-1.79 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Math vs. State Avg+9.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.4 pts
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected-3.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile60th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.1Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,517

Houghton Elementary — Students at Houghton Elementary score 54% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 54.9%
School
State
43.0%
ELA Proficiency 61.2%
School
State
44.4%

Based on 30 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
62.7%
ELA
73.3%
2021*
Math
43.3%
ELA
63.3%
2022
Math
53%
ELA
57.3%
2023
Math
57.5%
ELA
59.5%
2024
Math
61.5%
ELA
55%
2025
Math
54%
ELA
53.5%

* 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: 5.8/10.

How Houghton Elementary Compares

See how Houghton Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
36th percentile in MA
Academic
7.3/10
7.3/10
Growth
5.8/10
Above average
Environment
3.1/10
Below average

Location

32 Boutelle Road, Sterling, MA 01564

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Houghton Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ALHUDA ACADEMY (rated 8.7/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Worcester), which scores notably higher. Another option is Boylston Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Boylston), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fall Brook (rated 7.1/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Leominster), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sterling, see our Sterling schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Chocksett Middle School Sterling 0.1 mi 6.5
Major Edwards Elementary West Boylston 2.8 mi 5.7
West Boylston Junior/Senior High West Boylston 2.8 mi 6.1
Tahanto Regional High Boylston 4.1 mi 7.0
Clinton Senior High Clinton 3.6 mi 4.9
Thomas Prince Princeton 4.0 mi 5.4
Clinton Middle School Clinton 3.8 mi 5.6
Samoset School Leominster 5.6 mi 5.1
Lincoln School Leominster 5.6 mi 5.7
Leroy E.Mayo Holden 5.1 mi 5.7
Fall Brook Leominster 5.7 mi 7.1
Norrback Avenue Worcester 6.0 mi 4.2
Boylston Elementary School Boylston 5.9 mi 8.0
Clinton Elementary Clinton 4.6 mi 6.9
Mountview Middle Holden 5.9 mi 5.1
Burncoat Street Worcester 6.3 mi 4.3
SOUTH LANCASTER ACADEMY South Lancaster 5.1 mi 6.8
ALHUDA ACADEMY Worcester 6.7 mi 8.7
Davis Hill Elementary Holden 5.7 mi 5.4
TRIVIUM SCHOOL Lancaster 5.6 mi 4.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 01564 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$136,027

Median Home Value

$467,400

Median Rent

$1,606/mo

Population

8,111

College Educated

53.5%

Homeownership

87.8%

Avg Commute

32.7 min

Poverty Rate

4.3%

Median Age

51

Community Profile

The community surrounding Houghton Elementary has a median household income of $136,027. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $467,400, with a median rent of $1,606/month. The local poverty rate of 4.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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
Alice B Beal Elementary Springfield, MA 5.7
John A. Crisafulli Elementary School Westford, MA 5.7
Montclair Quincy, MA 5.7
Ruggles Lane Barre, MA 5.7
ST BRIDGET SCHOOL Framingham, MA 5.7
ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Lowell, MA 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Houghton Elementary

What grades does Houghton Elementary serve?

Houghton Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend Houghton Elementary?

Houghton Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 318 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Houghton Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Houghton Elementary is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Houghton Elementary rank in MA?

Houghton Elementary is ranked #1154 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is Houghton Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Houghton Elementary has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Houghton Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Houghton Elementary has 54.9% math proficiency and 61.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Houghton Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Houghton Elementary a Title I school?

No, Houghton Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Average (379/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sterling). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
318
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Worcester County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Wachusett
District Enrollment
6,676
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,152
District Rank
#4 of 13

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 methodology

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