Average
#1016 of 1,791 schools in MA
James Sullivan Middle School
Middle School · Lowell
150 Draper Street, Lowell, MA 01852
Enrollment
617
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
6.0
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
617
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
6.0
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lowell
#12 of 28
public schools
Massachusetts middle schools
#172 of 305
In district
#12 of 26
Lowell
Academic growth
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About James Sullivan Middle School
James Sullivan Middle School is a regular public middle school serving students in grades 5 through 8 in Lowell, Massachusetts. The school has an enrollment of 617 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.3:1, indicating that there are about 50 full-time equivalent teachers to support the large number of students. Located in a bustling suburban area, James Sullivan Middle School is part of the larger Lowell community.
The academic performance at James Sullivan Middle School shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and an academic score of 2.0 out of 10. State rankings place it at #1470 out of 1796 schools in Massachusetts, which is around the 18th percentile statewide. In terms of proficiency rates for core subjects, only about 23% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while math and science scores hover near 20%.
Despite these challenges, the school continues to focus on student development and academic growth. James Sullivan Middle School is situated in a vibrant suburban area of Lowell, offering its students access to a variety of community resources and activities.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at James Sullivan Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
James Sullivan Middle School — Students at James Sullivan Middle School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 91 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: 8.1/10.
How James Sullivan Middle School Compares
See how James Sullivan Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 24% (2019) to 14% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 22% (2022).
Location
150 Draper Street, Lowell, MA 01852
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James Sullivan Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. B.F. Butler Middle School (rated 6.3/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Henry J Robinson Middle (rated 5.9/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Lowell, see our Lowell schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Peter W Reilly Lowell | 0.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Leblanc Therapeutic Day School Lowell | 0.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Pyne Arts Lowell | 1.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Moody Elementary Lowell | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL Lowell | 1.1 mi | 4.9 |
| ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Lowell | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| B.F. Butler Middle School Lowell | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Cardinal O'Connell Early Learning Center Lowell | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Henry J Robinson Middle Lowell | 1.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Joseph A Campbell Elementary Dracut | 1.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School Lowell | 1.5 mi | 4.5 |
| S Christa McAuliffe Elementary Lowell | 1.7 mi | 4.6 |
| John J Shaughnessy Lowell | 1.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Rogers STEM Academy Lowell | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Lowell Community Charter Public School Lowell | 1.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Lowell High Lowell | 1.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Greenhalge Lowell | 1.8 mi | 5.1 |
| L F Dewing Tewksbury | 1.7 mi | 5.8 |
| HELLENIC AMERICAN ACADEMY Lowell | 1.8 mi | 6.5 |
| MELMARK NEW ENGLAND Andover | 1.9 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 01852 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$77,058
Median Home Value
$397,200
Median Rent
$1,567/mo
Population
36,700
College Educated
32.9%
Homeownership
46.2%
Avg Commute
27.8 min
Poverty Rate
13.3%
Median Age
37.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding James Sullivan Middle School has a median household income of $77,058. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $397,200, with a median rent of $1,567/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Ashland Middle Ashland, MA | 6.0 |
| Forest Grove Middle Worcester, MA | 6.0 |
| Grafton Middle Grafton, MA | 6.0 |
| Hanson Middle School Hanson, MA | 6.0 |
| King Philip Middle School Norfolk, MA | 6.0 |
| Miscoe Hill School Mendon, MA | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James Sullivan Middle School
What grades does James Sullivan Middle School serve?
James Sullivan Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend James Sullivan Middle School?
James Sullivan Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 617 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Sullivan Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at James Sullivan Middle School is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James Sullivan Middle School rank in MA?
James Sullivan Middle School is ranked #1016 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is James Sullivan Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
James Sullivan Middle School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 James Sullivan Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James Sullivan Middle School has 19.5% math proficiency and 22.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James Sullivan Middle School a charter school?
No, James Sullivan Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James Sullivan Middle School a Title I school?
No, James Sullivan Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,207/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lowell). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 617
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 50
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Middlesex County
- Phone
- (978) 937-8993
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lowell- District Enrollment
- 14,273
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,440
- District Rank
- #12 of 26
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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