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Average

#792 of 1,793 schools in MA

Top 44% in state

Paxton Center

Elementary School · Wachusett

19 West Street, Paxton, MA 01612

Enrollment

432

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

6.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Massachusetts schools

#792 of 1,793

In district

#3 of 13

Wachusett

Academic growth

7.6 / 10

Very Good

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Paxton Center

6.6/10

Elementary School in Paxton · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Leicester Elementary

4.8/10

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

Leicester Middle

5.2/10

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

About Paxton Center

Paxton Center is a public elementary school in Paxton, MA, part of Wachusett. Paxton Center serves approximately 432 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Paxton Center has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #792 of 1,793 schools in MA.

Structured state assessment records for Paxton Center show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts above district
  • This school 6.6 · Average
  • District avg 5.8
  • MA avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Paxton Center sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data17
Annual Change-0.99 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.4Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52.8% (2025 MCAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.3% (2025 MCAS)
Math vs. State Avg+10.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.7 pts
Overall Proficiency49% (2025 MCAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)57% (model expectation from 2025 MCAS)
vs. Expected-8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,152
Chronic Absenteeism13.7%

Paxton Center — Students at Paxton Center score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 49.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
41.5% (multi-year state average, 2019-2025)
ELA Proficiency 52.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.4% (multi-year state average, 2019-2025)

Based on 118 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
74%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
71%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
81%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
78%
2013
Math
69%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
65%
ELA
76%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
66%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
61%
2018
Math
56%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
55.6%
ELA
56.3%
2020*
Math
31%
ELA
48%
2021*
Math
32.3%
ELA
48.3%
2022
Math
39.7%
ELA
43.9%
2023
Math
46.7%
ELA
45.7%
2024
Math
49.5%
ELA
41.3%
2025
Math
52.8%
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: 7.6/10.

How Paxton Center Compares

See how Paxton Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
56th percentile in MA
Academic
6.4/10
Average
Growth
7.6/10
Very Good
Environment
4.3/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.7%

Location

19 West Street, Paxton, MA 01612

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Paxton Center may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dawson (rated 7.6/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Holden), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Davis Hill Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Holden), with a very similar rating. Additionally, West Tatnuck (rated 6.0/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Worcester), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Paxton, see our Paxton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Leicester Elementary Leicester 4.1 mi 4.8
Leicester Middle Leicester 4.1 mi 5.2
Leicester Integrated Preschool Leicester 4.1 mi 3.5
Central Tree Middle Rutland 4.3 mi 5.4
MCAULEY NAZARETH HOME FOR BOYS Leicester 4.1 mi
West Tatnuck Worcester 3.6 mi 6.0
Leicester High Leicester 4.5 mi 7.0
Early Childhood Center Jefferson 4.2 mi 3.3
Wire Village School Spencer 4.2 mi 4.4
HOLDEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Holden 3.8 mi 5.8
Wachusett Regional High Holden 4.1 mi 6.6
Naquag Elementary School Rutland 4.7 mi 4.3
David Prouty High Spencer 4.8 mi 5.2
Glenwood Elementary School Rutland 5.5 mi 4.5
WORCESTER SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Worcester 4.5 mi
Dawson Holden 4.4 mi 7.6
DEVEREUX SCHOOL Rutland 5.5 mi 7.5
Tatnuck Worcester 4.6 mi 4.8
Davis Hill Elementary Holden 4.9 mi 6.3
Knox Trail Middle School Spencer 5.5 mi 4.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 01612 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$133,750

Median Home Value

$464,700

Median Rent

$1,364/mo

Population

4,996

College Educated

53.8%

Homeownership

90.3%

Avg Commute

29 min

Poverty Rate

1.6%

Median Age

40.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Abraham Lincoln Lowell, MA 6.6
Albert F. Argenziano School at Lincoln Park Somerville, MA 6.6
Beatrice H Wood Elementary Plainville, MA 6.6
C.T. Douglas Elementary School Acton, MA 6.6
Charles C Cashman Elementary Amesbury, MA 6.6
Clyde Reeves Woburn, MA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Paxton Center

What grades does Paxton Center serve?

Paxton Center serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Paxton Center?

Paxton Center has an enrollment of approximately 432 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Paxton Center?

The student-teacher ratio at Paxton Center is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Paxton Center rank in MA?

Paxton Center ranks #792 of 1,793 schools in MA.

What is Paxton Center's MySchoolScout rating?

Paxton Center has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 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 Paxton Center?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Paxton Center has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Paxton Center a charter school?

No, Paxton Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Paxton Center a Title I school?

No, Paxton Center is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
42 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
432
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Worcester County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.7%

District

Wachusett
District Enrollment
6,676
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,152
District Rank
#3 of 13

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