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Very Good

#507 of 1,793 schools in MA

Top 28% 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

7.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Massachusetts schools

#507 of 1,793

In Palmer

#1 of 3

public schools

School environment

9.1 / 10

Excellent

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Pathfinder Vocational Technical

7.4/10

High School in Palmer · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Old Mill Pond

6.1/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Palmer High

6.5/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Pathfinder Vocational Technical

Pathfinder Vocational Technical is a public high school in Palmer, MA, part of Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical. Pathfinder Vocational Technical serves approximately 643 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 8.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Pathfinder Vocational Technical has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #507 of 1,793 schools in MA.

Structured state assessment records for Pathfinder Vocational Technical show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts above MA schools
  • This school 7.4 · Very Good
  • MA avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 8.9:1 students to teachers, Pathfinder Vocational Technical sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data17
Annual Change-0.38 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.4Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26% (2025 MCAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32% (2025 MCAS)
Math vs. State Avg-19.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20 pts
Overall Proficiency29% (2025 MCAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)20% (model expectation from 2025 MCAS)
vs. Expected+9.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
College Readiness6.1Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation13.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,298
Chronic Absenteeism16.3%

Pathfinder Vocational Technical — Students at Pathfinder Vocational Technical score 29% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 44.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.0% (multi-year state average, 2019-2025)
ELA Proficiency 56.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.6% (multi-year state average, 2019-2025)

Based on 44 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
62%
ELA
87%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
87%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
87%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
87%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
31.5%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
26%
ELA
37.5%
2022
Math
26%
ELA
36%
2023
Math
24%
ELA
35%
2024
Math
30%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
26%
ELA
32%

* 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: 8.7/10.

How Pathfinder Vocational Technical Compares

See how Pathfinder Vocational Technical performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
72th percentile in MA
Academic
6.4/10
Average
Growth
8.7/10
Excellent
Environment
9.1/10
Excellent
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.9
Sports
11
7 boys' · 4 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
72 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
13.2% participation·State avg: 2.9 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics11sports offered
7 boys'·4 girls'·14 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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), with a very similar rating. Another option is Palmer High (rated 6.5/10, 0.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Belchertown High (rated 6.2/10, 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 6.1
Palmer High Palmer 0.6 mi 6.5
Monson High School Monson 5.1 mi 4.6
Quarry Hill Community School Monson 5.3 mi 7.8
Granite Valley School Monson 5.4 mi 7.2
Jabish Middle School Belchertown 6.1 mi 6.9
Cold Spring Belchertown 6.5 mi 5.0
Belchertown High Belchertown 6.3 mi 6.2
Swift River Elementary Belchertown 6.4 mi 6.5
WILBRAHAM & MONSON ACADEMY Wilbraham 5.9 mi 7.7
Chestnut Hill Community School Belchertown 6.4 mi 6.4
Paul R Baird Middle Ludlow 5.6 mi 5.9
Ware Junior/Senior High School Ware 6.3 mi 4.4
Ware Middle School Ware 6.4 mi 5.8
Stanley M Koziol Elementary School Ware 6.5 mi 6.4
Mile Tree Elementary Wilbraham 6.8 mi 4.5
Ludlow Senior High Ludlow 5.9 mi 6.0
East Street Elementary School Ludlow 6.1 mi 7.4
ST THOMAS AQUINAS SCHOOL West Warren 6.1 mi
Wilbraham Middle Wilbraham 6.5 mi 5.9

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Mt Greylock Regional High Williamstown, MA 7.4
Stoneham High Stoneham, MA 7.4
LAWRENCE ACADEMY Groton, MA 7.5
Joseph P Keefe Technical High School Framingham, MA 7.3
Marblehead High Marblehead, MA 7.3
Pittsfield High Pittsfield, MA 7.3

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 ranks #507 of 1,793 schools in MA.

What is Pathfinder Vocational Technical's MySchoolScout rating?

Pathfinder Vocational Technical has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Pathfinder Vocational Technical?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pathfinder Vocational Technical has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
29 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.3%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical
District Enrollment
643
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$26,298
District Rank
#1 of 1

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