Average
#649 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 36% in state
Pathfinder Vocational Technical
High School · Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical
240 Sykes Street, Palmer, MA 01069
Enrollment
643
Student-Teacher
8.9:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
643
Student-Teacher
8.9:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Palmer
#1 of 3
public schools
Massachusetts high schools
#139 of 366
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Pathfinder Vocational Technical
Pathfinder Vocational Technical is a high school located in Palmer, Massachusetts, serving students from ninth through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 643 students and a student-teacher ratio of 8.9:1, the school offers personalized attention to support each student's educational journey. Pathfinder focuses on vocational and technical education, providing hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for future careers.
Academically, Pathfinder Vocational Technical has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10, placing it in the 47th percentile among Massachusetts schools. The school's academic score is 3.9/10, indicating areas where improvement can be made. In state tests, 37% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 27% in Math, and 30% in Science.
While these scores suggest room for growth, the school's emphasis on practical skills and career readiness offers unique opportunities for student development. Pathfinder Vocational Technical is situated in a large suburban area, providing students with access to both urban amenities and natural surroundings. The community around the school supports its mission of preparing students for successful careers through comprehensive vocational training programs.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.9:1, Pathfinder Vocational Technical 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Pathfinder Vocational Technical — Students at Pathfinder Vocational Technical score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 22 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 8.6/10.
How Pathfinder Vocational Technical Compares
See how Pathfinder Vocational Technical performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 37% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
240 Sykes Street, Palmer, MA 01069
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pathfinder Vocational Technical may also want to explore other high schools in the area. WILBRAHAM & MONSON ACADEMY (rated 7.7/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Wilbraham), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Ludlow Senior High (rated 6.4/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Ludlow), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Belchertown High (rated 5.7/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Belchertown), a more accessible option. For more schools in Palmer, see our Palmer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Old Mill Pond Palmer | 0.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Palmer High Palmer | 0.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Monson High School Monson | 5.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Quarry Hill Community School Monson | 5.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Granite Valley School Monson | 5.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Jabish Middle School Belchertown | 6.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Cold Spring Belchertown | 6.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Belchertown High Belchertown | 6.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Swift River Elementary Belchertown | 6.4 mi | 6.1 |
| WILBRAHAM & MONSON ACADEMY Wilbraham | 5.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Chestnut Hill Community School Belchertown | 6.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Paul R Baird Middle Ludlow | 5.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Ware Junior/Senior High School Ware | 6.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Ware Middle School Ware | 6.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Stanley M Koziol Elementary School Ware | 6.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Mile Tree Elementary Wilbraham | 6.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Ludlow Senior High Ludlow | 5.9 mi | 6.4 |
| East Street Elementary School Ludlow | 6.1 mi | 6.6 |
| ST THOMAS AQUINAS SCHOOL West Warren | 6.1 mi | — |
| Wilbraham Middle Wilbraham | 6.5 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 01069 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,725
Median Home Value
$251,300
Median Rent
$929/mo
Population
9,077
College Educated
24.8%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
34.2 min
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Median Age
53.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pathfinder Vocational Technical has a median household income of $79,725. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $251,300, with a median rent of $929/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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 |
|---|---|
| Medway High Medway, MA | 6.9 |
| Middleborough High Middleborough, MA | 6.9 |
| Danvers High Danvers, MA | 7.0 |
| Tahanto Regional High Boylston, MA | 7.0 |
| Bristol County Agricultural High Dighton, MA | 6.8 |
| Cape Cod Region Vocational Technical Harwich, MA | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pathfinder Vocational Technical
What grades does Pathfinder Vocational Technical serve?
Pathfinder Vocational Technical serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Pathfinder Vocational Technical?
Pathfinder Vocational Technical has an enrollment of approximately 643 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pathfinder Vocational Technical?
The student-teacher ratio at Pathfinder Vocational Technical is 8.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pathfinder Vocational Technical rank in MA?
Pathfinder Vocational Technical is ranked #649 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Pathfinder Vocational Technical's MySchoolScout rating?
Pathfinder Vocational Technical has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Pathfinder Vocational Technical?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pathfinder Vocational Technical has 27.4% math proficiency and 36.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pathfinder Vocational Technical a charter school?
No, Pathfinder Vocational Technical is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pathfinder Vocational Technical a Title I school?
No, Pathfinder Vocational Technical is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Palmer). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 643
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 72
- Type
- vocational
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Hampden County
- Phone
- (413) 283-9701
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical- District Enrollment
- 643
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $26,298
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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 methodologyRelated reading
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