Average
#1080 of 1,791 schools in MA
Paxton Center
Elementary School · Wachusett
19 West Street, Paxton, MA 01612
Enrollment
432
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
432
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Massachusetts elementary schools
#605 of 1,022
In district
#3 of 13
Wachusett
Academic growth
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Paxton Center
Paxton Center is a regular public elementary school located in the rural town of Paxton, Massachusetts. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 432 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1 with 31 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s setting offers a close-knit community feel, surrounded by natural landscapes.
Paxton Center aims to support its diverse student body through various programs and initiatives. According to MySchoolScout's rating system, the school scores a 5.2 out of 10, reflecting room for academic growth. In state rankings, it stands at number 962 out of 1796 schools in Massachusetts, placing it in the 46th percentile.
Specifically, 47% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and Math (both 46%), while a higher percentage—62%—are proficient or above in Science. Paxton Center is situated in a rural area near the town center, offering students a serene environment conducive to learning and community engagement.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Paxton Center 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Paxton Center — Students at Paxton Center score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 96 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.4/10.
How Paxton Center Compares
See how Paxton Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 41% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 45% (2022).
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 7.2/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Holden), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Tatnuck (rated 6.0/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Worcester), with a very similar rating. Additionally, HOLDEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 5.8/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Holden), with a very similar 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 | 5.3 |
| Leicester Middle Leicester | 4.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Leicester Integrated Preschool Leicester | 4.1 mi | 5.2 |
| 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 | 6.3 |
| Early Childhood Center Jefferson | 4.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Wire Village School Spencer | 4.2 mi | 4.0 |
| HOLDEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Holden | 3.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Wachusett Regional High Holden | 4.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Naquag Elementary School Rutland | 4.7 mi | 4.1 |
| David Prouty High Spencer | 4.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Glenwood Elementary School Rutland | 5.5 mi | 4.5 |
| WORCESTER SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Worcester | 4.5 mi | — |
| Dawson Holden | 4.4 mi | 7.2 |
| DEVEREUX SCHOOL Rutland | 5.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Tatnuck Worcester | 4.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Davis Hill Elementary Holden | 4.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Knox Trail Middle School Spencer | 5.5 mi | 3.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Paxton Center has a median household income of $133,750. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $464,700, with a median rent of $1,364/month. The local poverty rate of 1.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| C.T. Douglas Elementary School Acton, MA | 5.9 |
| Chace Street Somerset, MA | 5.9 |
| Day Elementary Westford, MA | 5.9 |
| Downey Brockton, MA | 5.9 |
| Gen John J Stefanik Chicopee, MA | 5.9 |
| Helen Keller Elementary Franklin, MA | 5.9 |
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 is ranked #1080 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Paxton Center's MySchoolScout rating?
Paxton Center has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Paxton Center?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paxton Center has 46.9% math proficiency and 48.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (428/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Paxton). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (508) 798-8576
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wachusett- District Enrollment
- 6,676
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,152
- District Rank
- #3 of 13
Other Schools in This District
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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