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Needs Improvement

#1720 of 1,791 schools in MA

Knox Trail Middle School

Middle School · Spencer-E Brookfield

73 Ash Street, Spencer, MA 01562

Enrollment

389

Student-Teacher

12.2:1

Score

3.7

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Spencer

#3 of 3

public schools

Massachusetts middle schools

#298 of 305

In district

#4 of 4

Spencer-E Brookfield

About Knox Trail Middle School

Knox Trail Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Spencer, Massachusetts. Serving students from fifth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 389 students and employs 32 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1. The academic performance at Knox Trail Middle School is currently ranked #1711 out of 1796 schools in Massachusetts, placing it in the 5th percentile.

With an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 29%, Math proficiency rate of 22%, and Science proficiency rate of 31%, there is room for academic growth and development at the school. Knox Trail Middle School is situated on Ash Street, on the fringe of an urban area in Spencer. The town offers a blend of suburban and rural characteristics, providing students with a unique setting that encourages community involvement and local engagement.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.5Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change-2.95 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.8Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency19%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Math vs. State Avg-22 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.3 pts
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-24.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
Resources & Environment5.4Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,642

Knox Trail Middle School — Students at Knox Trail Middle School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 21.6%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 29.2%
School
State
45.5%

Based on 94 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2018
Math
35%
ELA
39.2%
2019
Math
33.2%
ELA
38.8%
2021*
Math
11.8%
ELA
35.3%
2022
Math
19.5%
ELA
25.2%
2023
Math
18.8%
ELA
20.8%
2024
Math
15.4%
ELA
22.2%
2025
Math
17.8%
ELA
20.4%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How Knox Trail Middle School Compares

See how Knox Trail Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
4th percentile in MA
Academic
2.8/10
2.8/10
Growth
3.5/10
Below average
Environment
5.4/10
Above average

Location

73 Ash Street, Spencer, MA 01562

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Knox Trail Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Sullivan Middle (rated 7.6/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Worcester), which scores notably higher. Another option is Leicester Middle (rated 5.2/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Leicester), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Charlton Middle School (rated 4.5/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Charlton), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Spencer, see our Spencer schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.3 mi
School Distance Rating
David Prouty High Spencer 0.7 mi 5.1
Wire Village School Spencer 1.3 mi 4.0
East Brookfield Elementary East Brookfield 2.8 mi 4.2
Leicester Elementary Leicester 4.0 mi 5.3
Leicester Middle Leicester 4.1 mi 5.2
Leicester Integrated Preschool Leicester 4.1 mi 5.2
Leicester High Leicester 4.1 mi 6.3
Paxton Center Paxton 5.5 mi 5.9
MCAULEY NAZARETH HOME FOR BOYS Leicester 5.0 mi
VALLEY VIEW SCHOOL North Brookfield 5.4 mi 5.8
North Brookfield High North Brookfield 5.4 mi 5.6
North Brookfield Elementary North Brookfield 5.5 mi 6.0
Charlton Elementary Charlton 7.6 mi 5.1
Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School Charlton 7.6 mi 6.5
Brookfield Elementary Brookfield 6.1 mi 6.5
Charlton Middle School Charlton 8.0 mi 4.5
Heritage School Charlton 8.0 mi 3.9
South High Community Worcester 6.2 mi 6.0
West Tatnuck Worcester 6.5 mi 6.0
Sullivan Middle Worcester 6.3 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 01562 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,086

Median Home Value

$368,300

Median Rent

$1,085/mo

Population

11,961

College Educated

27.5%

Homeownership

65.1%

Avg Commute

34.1 min

Poverty Rate

7.7%

Median Age

48.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Knox Trail Middle School has a median household income of $79,086. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $368,300, with a median rent of $1,085/month. The local poverty rate of 7.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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
Whitman Middle Whitman, MA 3.7
Frost Middle School Lawrence, MA 3.9
Northbridge Middle Whitinsville, MA 3.9
Athol-Royalston Middle School Athol, MA 4.0
Narragansett Middle Baldwinville, MA 3.4
Christa McAuliffe Charter School Framingham, MA 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Knox Trail Middle School

What grades does Knox Trail Middle School serve?

Knox Trail Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Knox Trail Middle School?

Knox Trail Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 389 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Knox Trail Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Knox Trail Middle School is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Knox Trail Middle School rank in MA?

Knox Trail Middle School is ranked #1720 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is Knox Trail Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Knox Trail Middle School has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Knox Trail Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Knox Trail Middle School has 21.6% math proficiency and 29.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Knox Trail Middle School a charter school?

No, Knox Trail Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Knox Trail Middle School a Title I school?

No, Knox Trail Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Average (363/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
389
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Worcester County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Spencer-E Brookfield
District Enrollment
1,418
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,943
District Rank
#4 of 4

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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