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Below Average

#1467 of 1,791 schools in MA

Overlook Middle School

Middle School · Ashburnham-Westminster

10 Oakmont Drive, Ashburnham, MA 01430

Enrollment

535

Student-Teacher

14.5:1

Score

4.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ashburnham

#2 of 3

public schools

Massachusetts middle schools

#256 of 305

In district

#3 of 5

Ashburnham-Westminster

Equity

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Overlook Middle School

Overlook Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, nestled in a rural area near the town. Serving students from sixth through eighth grade, Overlook Middle School has an enrollment of 535 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.5:1 with 37 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.0 out of 10, placing it at the 45th percentile among Massachusetts schools, with an academic score of 6.8 out of 10.

In terms of standardized test performance, Overlook Middle School reports that 51% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 44% reach proficiency in Math and 48% in Science. These scores suggest there is room for academic growth at the school. Despite its current ranking, Overlook Middle School offers a supportive educational environment with dedicated teachers committed to student development.

The rural setting provides a peaceful backdrop that complements the learning experience, fostering a community atmosphere where students can thrive and build strong foundations for their high school years.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Overlook 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 Progress4.8Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change-2.32 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency53%
Math vs. State Avg+4.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.1 pts
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected-5.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,602

Overlook Middle School — Students at Overlook Middle School score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 44.0%
School
State
42.1%
ELA Proficiency 50.5%
School
State
45.5%

Based on 74 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
52.8%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
55.8%
ELA
56.6%
2021*
Math
32.8%
ELA
54%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
52.6%
2023
Math
40.3%
ELA
45.8%
2024
Math
40.5%
ELA
40.8%
2025
Math
38.3%
ELA
44.3%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How Overlook Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
18th percentile in MA
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
2.2/10
Below average

Location

10 Oakmont Drive, Ashburnham, MA 01430

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Overlook Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Memorial Middle School (rated 7.3/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Fitchburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gardner Middle School (rated 4.9/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Gardner), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Arthur M Longsjo Middle School (rated 4.8/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Fitchburg), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Ashburnham, see our Ashburnham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Oakmont Regional High School Ashburnham 0.2 mi 4.3
Briggs Elementary Ashburnham 0.8 mi 5.7
WACHUSETT HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gardner 2.5 mi
Gardner Elementary School Gardner 2.6 mi 5.2
Gardner Middle School Gardner 2.9 mi 4.9
Gardner High Gardner 3.0 mi 5.2
Meetinghouse School Westminster 4.2 mi 4.2
Westminster Elementary Westminster 4.3 mi 5.4
Gardner Academy for Learning and Technology Gardner 3.5 mi 5.7
Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical Fitchburg 4.4 mi 7.2
HOLY FAMILY ACADEMY Gardner 4.2 mi 5.8
Reingold Elementary Fitchburg 5.3 mi 6.9
APPLEWILD SCHOOL Fitchburg 6.0 mi 7.0
Memorial Middle School Fitchburg 6.2 mi 7.3
Fitchburg High Fitchburg 6.2 mi 6.2
Crocker Elementary Fitchburg 6.1 mi 4.9
Sizer School: A North Central Charter Essential School Fitchburg 6.3 mi 5.1
Arthur M Longsjo Middle School Fitchburg 6.5 mi 4.8
Ashby Elementary Ashby 7.4 mi 6.9
South Street Early Learning Center Fitchburg 6.9 mi 4.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 01430 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$115,146

Median Home Value

$369,700

Population

6,450

College Educated

40.9%

Homeownership

95.4%

Avg Commute

30.5 min

Poverty Rate

9.4%

Median Age

41

Community Profile

The community surrounding Overlook Middle School has a median household income of $115,146. 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 $369,700. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Arthur M Longsjo Middle School Fitchburg, MA 4.8
Collins Middle Salem, MA 4.8
John F Parker Middle Taunton, MA 4.8
John F. Ryan Tewksbury, MA 4.8
John T Reid Middle Pittsfield, MA 4.8
Pickering Middle Lynn, MA 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Overlook Middle School

What grades does Overlook Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Overlook Middle School?

Overlook Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 535 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Overlook 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 Overlook Middle School rank in MA?

Overlook Middle School is ranked #1467 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is Overlook Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Overlook Middle School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Overlook Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Overlook Middle School has 44.0% math proficiency and 50.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Overlook Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Overlook Middle School a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Average (441/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
535
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Worcester County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Ashburnham-Westminster
District Enrollment
2,264
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,301
District Rank
#3 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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