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Very Good

#562 of 1,791 schools in MA

Top 31% in state

New Marlborough Central

Elementary School · Southern Berkshire

PO Box 326, Sheffield, MA 01257

Enrollment

65

Student-Teacher

8.1:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Pre-K – 3rd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sheffield

#2 of 3

public schools

Massachusetts elementary schools

#341 of 1,022

In district

#2 of 3

Southern Berkshire

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About New Marlborough Central

New Marlborough Central is a charming elementary school nestled in the rural community of Sheffield, Massachusetts. Serving students from Pre-K through grade three, this regular public school offers a close-knit educational environment with an enrollment of 65 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 8.1:1. The dedicated faculty consists of eight full-time equivalent teachers who work tirelessly to support the academic and social development of each child.

While New Marlborough Central's MySchoolScout rating stands at 5.9 out of 10, placing it in the 58th percentile among Massachusetts schools, there is room for growth and improvement. The school’s ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 57%, and its Math proficiency rate is 45%. These scores indicate areas where focused efforts could further enhance student learning outcomes.

With a serene rural setting, New Marlborough Central offers a peaceful backdrop for early childhood education. The small-town charm of Sheffield provides a nurturing environment that supports the development of young learners in both academic and social contexts.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 65 students, New Marlborough Central is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.1:1, New Marlborough Central offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, New Marlborough Central 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 Progress6.7Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change-1.44 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.9Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.5%
Math vs. State Avg-12.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.9 pts
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-6.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$31,202

New Marlborough Central — Students at New Marlborough Central score 40% 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 47.0%
School
State
43.4%
ELA Proficiency 58.9%
School
State
48.7%

Based on 24 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
67.5%
ELA
56.5%
2019
Math
54.8%
ELA
67.2%
2021*
Math
31.7%
ELA
58.5%
2022
Math
32.5%
ELA
45.3%
2023
Math
60%
ELA
70%
2025
Math
44%
ELA
56%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How New Marlborough Central Compares

See how New Marlborough Central performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
69th percentile in MA
Academic
5.9/10
5.9/10
Growth
6.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Location

PO Box 326, Sheffield, MA 01257

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering New Marlborough Central may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Canaan Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby North Canaan), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lee H. Kellogg School (rated 9.1/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Falls Village), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Farmington River Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Otis), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sheffield, see our Sheffield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Undermountain Sheffield 5.5 mi 8.5
Mt Everett Regional Sheffield 5.5 mi 5.5
North Canaan Elementary School North Canaan 6.9 mi 9.3
W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School Great Barrington 9.2 mi 7.4
Muddy Brook Regional Elementary School Great Barrington 9.3 mi 8.6
Monument Mt Regional High Great Barrington 9.4 mi 7.4
BARD ACADEMY AT SIMONS ROCK Great Barrington 8.4 mi 6.6
BERKSHIRE SCHOOL Sheffield 7.5 mi 7.2
BERKSHIRE MEADOWS Housatonic 9.2 mi
South Egremont Sheffield 8.0 mi
Botelle Elementary School Norfolk 10.1 mi 4.5
BERKSHIRE WALDORF SCHOOL Great Barrington 8.6 mi 5.2
BERKSHIRE WALDORF HIGH SCHOOL Stockbridge 11.5 mi 5.8
SALISBURY SCHOOL Salisbury 10.6 mi 7.3
Lee H. Kellogg School Falls Village 12.3 mi 9.1
Lee Middle/High School Lee 12.9 mi 6.0
ST MARY'S SCHOOL Lee 13.0 mi 4.8
Lee Elementary Lee 13.0 mi 5.5
Farmington River Elementary Otis 10.7 mi 9.0
Housatonic Valley Regional High School Falls Village 13.6 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 01257 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,227

Median Home Value

$432,100

Median Rent

$1,161/mo

Population

2,331

College Educated

40.5%

Homeownership

71.9%

Poverty Rate

11.5%

Median Age

55

Community Profile

The community surrounding New Marlborough Central has a median household income of $80,227. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $432,100, with a median rent of $1,161/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.5%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ACADEMY HILL SCHOOL Springfield, MA 7.1
KEYSTONE MONTESSORI SCHOOL North Chelmsford, MA 7.1
MEETING HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Braintree, MA 7.1
THACHER MONTESSORI SCHOOL Milton, MA 7.1
WALDORF SCHOOL AT MORAINE FARM Beverly, MA 7.1
Hawlemont Regional Charlemont, MA 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about New Marlborough Central

What grades does New Marlborough Central serve?

New Marlborough Central serves students in grades Pre-K through 3rd.

How many students attend New Marlborough Central?

New Marlborough Central has an enrollment of approximately 65 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at New Marlborough Central?

The student-teacher ratio at New Marlborough Central is 8.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does New Marlborough Central rank in MA?

New Marlborough Central is ranked #562 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is New Marlborough Central's MySchoolScout rating?

New Marlborough Central has a composite rating of 7.1 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 New Marlborough Central?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, New Marlborough Central has 47.0% math proficiency and 58.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is New Marlborough Central a charter school?

No, New Marlborough Central is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is New Marlborough Central a Title I school?

No, New Marlborough Central is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
4 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
65
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Berkshire County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Southern Berkshire
District Enrollment
614
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$34,581
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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