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Average

#920 of 1,793 schools in MA

James Sullivan Middle School

Middle School · Lowell

150 Draper Street, Lowell, MA 01852

Enrollment

617

Student-Teacher

12.3:1

Score

6.2

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Massachusetts schools

#920 of 1,793

In Lowell

#11 of 28

public schools

In district

#11 of 26

Lowell

Academic growth

8.0 / 10

Excellent

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James Sullivan Middle School

6.2/10

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

Peter W Reilly

8.2/10

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

Leblanc Therapeutic Day School

6.8/10

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

About James Sullivan Middle School

James Sullivan Middle School is a public middle school in Lowell, MA, part of Lowell. James Sullivan Middle School serves approximately 617 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio. James Sullivan Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #920 of 1,793 schools in MA.

Structured state assessment records for James Sullivan Middle School show 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.2 · Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • MA avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data17
Annual Change-0.77 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.5Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22% (2025 MCAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency21% (2025 MCAS)
Math vs. State Avg-19 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.3 pts
Overall Proficiency22% (2025 MCAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)25% (model expectation from 2025 MCAS)
vs. Expected-3.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
Resources & Environment5.6Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,440
Chronic Absenteeism27.2%

James Sullivan Middle School — Students at James Sullivan Middle School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 22.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
41.8% (multi-year state average, 2018-2025)
ELA Proficiency 26.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
45.3% (multi-year state average, 2018-2025)

Based on 113 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
36%
ELA
50%
2010
Math
36%
ELA
48%
2011
Math
34%
ELA
48%
2012
Math
34%
ELA
41%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
49%
2014
Math
35%
ELA
50%
2015
Math
41%
ELA
61%
2016
Math
23%
ELA
26%
2017
Math
26%
ELA
26%
2018
Math
25.8%
ELA
26%
2019
Math
24.2%
ELA
25.2%
2020*
Math
11%
ELA
23%
2021*
Math
11.2%
ELA
23.3%
2022
Math
14.3%
ELA
22.2%
2023
Math
20.8%
ELA
21.6%
2024
Math
20.8%
ELA
18.6%
2025
Math
22%
ELA
21%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How James Sullivan Middle School Compares

See how James Sullivan Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
49th percentile in MA
Academic
4.5/10
Below Average
Growth
8.0/10
Excellent
Environment
5.6/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
50 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.2%

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 6.8/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Henry J Robinson Middle (rated 5.7/10, 1.7 miles away), with a comparable 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 8.2
Leblanc Therapeutic Day School Lowell 0.5 mi 6.8
Pyne Arts Lowell 1.0 mi 5.8
Moody Elementary Lowell 0.9 mi 5.7
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 6.8
Cardinal O'Connell Early Learning Center Lowell 1.5 mi 5.5
Henry J Robinson Middle Lowell 1.7 mi 5.7
Joseph A Campbell Elementary Dracut 1.8 mi 5.1
Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School Lowell 1.5 mi 3.8
S Christa McAuliffe Elementary Lowell 1.7 mi 4.6
John J Shaughnessy Lowell 1.7 mi 3.6
Rogers STEM Academy Lowell 1.5 mi 6.2
Lowell Community Charter Public School Lowell 1.6 mi 5.1
Lowell High Lowell 1.6 mi 4.5
Greenhalge Lowell 1.8 mi 5.2
L F Dewing Tewksbury 1.7 mi 7.9
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
East Middle School Brockton, MA 6.2
Furnace Brook Middle Marshfield, MA 6.2
John W. McDevitt Middle School Waltham, MA 6.2
Joseph H Martin East Taunton, MA 6.2
Masconomet Regional Middle School Boxford, MA 6.2
Ohrenberger School West Roxbury, MA 6.2

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 ranks #920 of 1,793 schools in MA.

What is James Sullivan Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

James Sullivan Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 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 James Sullivan Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, James Sullivan Middle School has 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
20 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.2%

District

Lowell
District Enrollment
14,273
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,440
District Rank
#11 of 26

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