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Average

#714 of 1,791 schools in MA

Top 40% in state

Nessacus Regional Middle School

Middle School · Central Berkshire

35 Fox Road, Dalton, MA 01226

Enrollment

358

Student-Teacher

14.3:1

Score

6.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Dalton

#3 of 3

public schools

Massachusetts middle schools

#103 of 305

In district

#4 of 5

Central Berkshire

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Nessacus Regional Middle School

Nessacus Regional Middle School in Dalton, Massachusetts, serves students in grades six through eight. With an enrollment of 358 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1, the school provides a supportive environment for its young learners. The dedicated faculty comprises 25 full-time equivalent teachers who focus on fostering academic growth and personal development.

Nessacus Regional Middle School’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.2 out of 10, placing it in the 48th percentile among Massachusetts schools. The school's state ranking at #944 out of 1796 indicates there is room for improvement in academic performance. In terms of standardized test scores, 42% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 34% are proficient or above in Math and 41% in Science.

Nestled in a rural area near the town of Dalton, Nessacus Regional Middle School is part of a close-knit community where parents and teachers work together to provide a nurturing educational experience for students.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Nessacus Regional Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change+0.86 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.4Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Math vs. State Avg-10.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.9 pts
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-7.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
Resources & Environment3.8Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,405

Nessacus Regional Middle School — Students at Nessacus Regional Middle School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

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 34.5%
School
State
42.1%
ELA Proficiency 42.4%
School
State
45.5%

Based on 74 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2018
Math
35.8%
ELA
34%
2019
Math
41%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
44%
2022
Math
32.2%
ELA
42.4%
2023
Math
31%
ELA
40.8%
2024
Math
32.8%
ELA
43%
2025
Math
42.5%
ELA
52.8%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Nessacus Regional Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
60th percentile in MA
Academic
5.4/10
5.4/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Location

35 Fox Road, Dalton, MA 01226

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nessacus Regional Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Theodore Herberg Middle (rated 7.8/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Pittsfield), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hoosac Valley Middle School (rated 6.0/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Cheshire), with a comparable rating. Additionally, John T Reid Middle (rated 4.8/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Pittsfield), a more accessible option. For more schools in Dalton, see our Dalton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Wahconah Regional High Dalton 0.3 mi 8.3
ST AGNES ACADEMY Dalton 1.6 mi 5.9
Kittredge Hinsdale 2.2 mi 7.0
Craneville Dalton 2.0 mi 7.1
Williams Pittsfield 4.3 mi 8.9
Allendale Pittsfield 4.2 mi 7.9
Lanesborough Elementary Lanesborough 5.3 mi 7.9
Egremont Pittsfield 5.1 mi 7.5
John T Reid Middle Pittsfield 5.3 mi 4.8
Morningside Community School Pittsfield 5.5 mi 5.1
Theodore Herberg Middle Pittsfield 5.8 mi 7.8
Pittsfield High Pittsfield 5.8 mi 8.0
Eagle Education Academy Pittsfield 5.9 mi 7.1
Robert T. Capeless Elementary School Pittsfield 6.3 mi 6.4
Hoosac Valley High School Cheshire 8.8 mi 4.9
Hoosac Valley Middle School Cheshire 8.8 mi 6.0
Silvio O Conte Community Pittsfield 6.7 mi 4.6
Taconic High Pittsfield 6.9 mi 6.5
Crosby Pittsfield 7.0 mi 6.8
Crosby Educational Academy Pittsfield 7.0 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 01226 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,168

Median Home Value

$289,300

Median Rent

$830/mo

Population

6,304

College Educated

40.4%

Homeownership

75.6%

Avg Commute

18.4 min

Poverty Rate

5.3%

Median Age

51

Community Profile

The community surrounding Nessacus Regional Middle School has a median household income of $81,168. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $289,300, with a median rent of $830/month. The local poverty rate of 5.3% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Eugene Wright Science and Technology Academy Chelsea, MA 6.7
Pembroke Community Middle School Pembroke, MA 6.7
Wareham Middle Wareham, MA 6.7
Horace Mann Franklin, MA 6.8
Kiley Academy Springfield, MA 6.8
Daniel L Joyce Middle School Woburn, MA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nessacus Regional Middle School

What grades does Nessacus Regional Middle School serve?

Nessacus Regional Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Nessacus Regional Middle School?

Nessacus Regional Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 358 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Nessacus Regional Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Nessacus Regional Middle School is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nessacus Regional Middle School rank in MA?

Nessacus Regional Middle School is ranked #714 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is Nessacus Regional Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Nessacus Regional Middle School 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 Nessacus Regional Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nessacus Regional Middle School has 34.5% math proficiency and 42.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Nessacus Regional Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Nessacus Regional Middle School a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Low (195/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
358
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Berkshire County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Central Berkshire
District Enrollment
1,561
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,184
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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