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Average

#748 of 1,791 schools in MA

Top 42% in state

Nelson Place

Elementary School · Worcester

35 Nelson Pl, Worcester, MA 01605

Enrollment

590

Student-Teacher

13.4:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Worcester

#12 of 48

public schools

Massachusetts elementary schools

#451 of 1,022

In district

#11 of 45

Worcester

Academic growth

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Nelson Place

Nelson Place is an elementary school located in Worcester, Massachusetts. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has a total enrollment of 590 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1 with 44 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranking at #986 among Massachusetts schools, Nelson Place focuses on providing a supportive learning environment for its diverse student body.

The school's academic performance shows that while there is room for growth in ELA/Reading (36% proficient or above), math (43%) and science (44%) scores are slightly higher, indicating areas of strength. Nelson Place is situated in the heart of a mid-size city, offering students access to various cultural and educational resources. The school community thrives on fostering development and supporting each student's individual needs.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change-1.15 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.8Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency28%
Math vs. State Avg-0.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.6 pts
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected+9.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,642

Nelson Place — Students at Nelson Place score 35% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 42.3%
School
State
42.3%
ELA Proficiency 35.8%
School
State
44.5%

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
49.8%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
31%
ELA
35.2%
2022
Math
42.6%
ELA
28.4%
2023
Math
46.3%
ELA
37.3%
2024
Math
45.3%
ELA
34.8%
2025
Math
39.5%
ELA
34%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Nelson Place Compares

See how Nelson Place performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
58th percentile in MA
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
4.9/10
Below average

Location

35 Nelson Pl, Worcester, MA 01605

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nelson Place may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Chandler Magnet (rated 7.7/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Flagg Street (rated 7.6/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, May Street (rated 6.5/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Worcester, see our Worcester schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Forest Grove Middle Worcester 0.6 mi 6.0
NOTRE DAME ACADEMY Worcester 0.8 mi 6.2
BANCROFT SCHOOL Worcester 0.8 mi 7.3
Francis J McGrath Elementary Worcester 0.8 mi 5.3
Flagg Street Worcester 0.9 mi 7.6
Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School Worcester 1.3 mi 7.2
Midland Street Worcester 1.6 mi 4.5
Doherty Memorial High Worcester 1.7 mi 6.8
Ma Academy for Math and Science School Worcester 1.7 mi 5.1
Elm Park Community Worcester 1.9 mi 5.2
Chandler Magnet Worcester 2.0 mi 7.7
Burncoat Middle School Worcester 1.6 mi 6.8
Wawecus Road School Worcester 1.7 mi 4.8
NATIVITY SCHOOL OF WORCESTER Worcester 1.9 mi 7.2
Burncoat Senior High Worcester 1.7 mi 6.5
Tatnuck Worcester 1.9 mi 5.2
May Street Worcester 2.2 mi 6.5
Thorndyke Road Worcester 1.8 mi 4.4
Chandler Elementary Community Worcester 2.4 mi 5.3
VENERINI ACADEMY Worcester 2.3 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 01605 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,805

Median Home Value

$349,800

Median Rent

$1,362/mo

Population

31,086

College Educated

32%

Homeownership

31.3%

Avg Commute

25.6 min

Poverty Rate

23.3%

Median Age

32

Community Profile

The community surrounding Nelson Place has a median household income of $54,805. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $349,800, with a median rent of $1,362/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Albert F. Argenziano School at Lincoln Park Somerville, MA 6.7
Birch Meadow Reading, MA 6.7
Blueberry Hill Longmeadow, MA 6.7
Clyde Reeves Woburn, MA 6.7
David Mindess Ashland, MA 6.7
Dean S Luce Canton, MA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nelson Place

What grades does Nelson Place serve?

Nelson Place serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Nelson Place?

Nelson Place has an enrollment of approximately 590 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Nelson Place?

The student-teacher ratio at Nelson Place is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nelson Place rank in MA?

Nelson Place is ranked #748 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is Nelson Place's MySchoolScout rating?

Nelson Place has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Nelson Place?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nelson Place has 42.3% math proficiency and 35.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Nelson Place a charter school?

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

Is Nelson Place a Title I school?

No, Nelson Place is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Low (16/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
590
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Worcester County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Worcester
District Enrollment
24,350
Schools in District
45
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,553
District Rank
#11 of 45

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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