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Below Average

#1559 of 1,791 schools in MA

Murdock Middle School

Middle School · Winchendon

3 Memorial Drive, Winchendon, MA 01475

Enrollment

290

Student-Teacher

14.5:1

Score

4.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Winchendon

#4 of 5

public schools

Massachusetts middle schools

#278 of 305

In district

#4 of 5

Winchendon

Academic growth

7.0 / 10

Strong

About Murdock Middle School

Murdock Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Winchendon, Massachusetts, on the edge of an urban area. Serving students from sixth through eighth grade, Murdock has an enrollment of 290 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1 with twenty full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.2 out of 10, placing it in the 9th percentile among Massachusetts schools.

Academic performance at Murdock Middle School shows room for improvement, with 27% of students proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, 20% proficient or above in Math, and 39% proficient or above in Science. While these numbers suggest areas where the school can focus on enhancing student development, they also highlight opportunities for growth. Murdock Middle School is situated in a town that offers a blend of rural and urban characteristics, providing students with access to both small-town charm and city amenities.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Murdock 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 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change-1.27 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Math vs. State Avg-21.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.9 pts
Overall Proficiency23%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected-15.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,648

Murdock Middle School — Students at Murdock Middle School score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

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 20.3%
School
State
41.0%
ELA Proficiency 27.3%
School
State
44.7%

Based on 66 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
23%
ELA
34.6%
2021*
Math
15.8%
ELA
31.2%
2022
Math
21%
ELA
25%
2023
Math
23.8%
ELA
28%
2024
Math
17.5%
ELA
20.3%
2025
Math
21.3%
ELA
22.3%

* 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: 7.0/10.

How Murdock Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.6/10
13th percentile in MA
Academic
3.3/10
3.3/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Location

3 Memorial Drive, Winchendon, MA 01475

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Murdock Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Gardner Middle School (rated 4.9/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Gardner), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Conant Middle High School (M) (rated 4.8/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Jaffrey), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Narragansett Middle (rated 3.4/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Baldwinville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Winchendon, see our Winchendon schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Murdock High School Winchendon 0.0 mi 3.6
Memorial Winchendon 0.1 mi 4.8
Winchendon PreSchool Program Winchendon 0.1 mi 5.0
Toy Town Elementary Winchendon 1.0 mi 5.3
Murdock Academy for Success Winchendon 1.0 mi
Rindge Memorial School Rindge 4.0 mi 4.9
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rindge 4.6 mi 4.1
Royalston Community School Royalston 5.3 mi 4.4
HAMPSHIRE COUNTRY SCHOOL Rindge 6.0 mi
Conant Middle High School (M) Jaffrey 7.9 mi 4.8
Narragansett Regional High Baldwinville 7.8 mi 3.9
Narragansett Middle Baldwinville 7.8 mi 3.4
Conant Middle High School (H) Jaffrey 7.9 mi 6.1
Jaffrey Grade School Jaffrey 8.0 mi 6.2
VICTORY HIGH SCHOOL Jaffrey 8.0 mi 2.7
THE VILLAGE SCHOOL Royalston 6.8 mi 5.2
Gardner Middle School Gardner 8.5 mi 4.9
Dr. George S. Emerson Elementary School Fitzwilliam 7.5 mi 6.2
Gardner High Gardner 8.6 mi 5.2
HOLY FAMILY ACADEMY Gardner 8.9 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 01475 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$85,638

Median Home Value

$294,900

Median Rent

$1,245/mo

Population

10,194

College Educated

24.1%

Homeownership

78.2%

Avg Commute

33.4 min

Poverty Rate

10.6%

Median Age

40.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Murdock Middle School has a median household income of $85,638. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $294,900, with a median rent of $1,245/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.6%. 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
Sutton Middle School Sutton, MA 4.6
Oxford Middle Oxford, MA 4.7
Rise Academy at Van Sickle Springfield, MA 4.3
Gateway Regional Middle School Huntington, MA 4.9
Greenfield Middle Greenfield, MA 4.9
Joseph Metcalf School Holyoke, MA 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Murdock Middle School

What grades does Murdock Middle School serve?

Murdock Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Murdock Middle School?

Murdock Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 290 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Murdock Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Murdock Middle School is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Murdock Middle School rank in MA?

Murdock Middle School is ranked #1559 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is Murdock Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Murdock Middle School has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Murdock Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Murdock Middle School has 20.3% math proficiency and 27.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Murdock Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Murdock Middle School a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (815/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
290
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Worcester County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Winchendon
District Enrollment
1,219
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,423
District Rank
#4 of 5

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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