Very Good
#519 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 29% in state
Petersham Center
Elementary School · Petersham
31 Spring Street PO Box 148, Petersham, MA 01366
Enrollment
133
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
133
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Massachusetts elementary schools
#319 of 1,022
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Petersham Center
Petersham Center is a charming elementary school located in the heart of Petersham, Massachusetts. Serving students from kindergarten through sixth grade, this rural school has an enrollment of 133 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1, ensuring each child receives individual attention and support. With 11 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides a nurturing environment where children can thrive academically and socially.
Petersham Center's academic performance shows areas for growth, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1187 out of 1796 schools in Massachusetts. The school’s scores are below average: 2.8 out of 10, though science proficiency stands at 54%, which is notably higher than both ELA (47%) and math (30%). Despite these challenges, the school remains committed to fostering a love for learning and providing a strong foundation in core subjects.
Petersham Center is nestled in a picturesque rural setting, offering students a peaceful environment conducive to exploration and discovery. The surrounding area provides ample opportunities for outdoor education and community engagement, making it an ideal place for young learners to grow and develop.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 133 students, Petersham Center is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Petersham Center are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Petersham 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Petersham Center — Students at Petersham Center score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 74 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.6/10.
How Petersham Center Compares
See how Petersham Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 32% (2022).
Location
31 Spring Street PO Box 148, Petersham, MA 01366
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Petersham Center may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Templeton Elementary School (rated 6.4/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Templeton), with a comparable rating. Another option is Ruggles Lane (rated 5.7/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Barre), a more accessible option. Additionally, Fisher Hill School (rated 5.6/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Orange), a more accessible option. For more schools in Petersham, see our Petersham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PETERSHAM MONTESSORI SCHOOLS Petersham | 0.1 mi | — |
| Athol-Royalston Middle School Athol | 6.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Athol Community Elementary School Athol | 6.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Athol High Athol | 6.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Ruggles Lane Barre | 5.7 mi | 5.7 |
| SEVEN HILLS/STETSON SCHOOL Barre | 6.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Quabbin Regional High School Barre | 7.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Quabbin Regional Middle School Barre | 7.0 mi | 4.5 |
| EAGLE HILL SCHOOL Hardwick | 8.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Templeton Elementary School Templeton | 7.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Ralph C Mahar Regional Orange | 8.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Narragansett Regional High Baldwinville | 9.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Narragansett Middle Baldwinville | 9.3 mi | 3.4 |
| THE VILLAGE SCHOOL Royalston | 11.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Fisher Hill School Orange | 9.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Hardwick Elementary Gilbertville | 11.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Swift River New Salem | 8.8 mi | 4.4 |
| ST ALOYSIUS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gilbertville | 11.9 mi | 4.6 |
| New Braintree Grade New Braintree | 12.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Hubbardston Center Hubbardston | 9.4 mi | 4.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 01366 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$107,656
Median Home Value
$375,000
Median Rent
$1,214/mo
Population
1,173
College Educated
42.9%
Homeownership
90.7%
Avg Commute
36.3 min
Poverty Rate
8.9%
Median Age
55.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Petersham Center has a median household income of $107,656. It is a well-educated community where 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $375,000, with a median rent of $1,214/month. The local poverty rate of 8.9% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| New Hingham Regional Elementary Chesterfield, MA | 7.2 |
| Abner Gibbs Westfield, MA | 7.1 |
| Quarry Hill Community School Monson, MA | 7.1 |
| THACHER MONTESSORI SCHOOL Milton, MA | 7.1 |
| VERITAS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wayland, MA | 7.1 |
| CAMBRIDGE FRIENDS SCHOOL Cambridge, MA | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Petersham Center
What grades does Petersham Center serve?
Petersham Center serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Petersham Center?
Petersham Center has an enrollment of approximately 133 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Petersham Center?
The student-teacher ratio at Petersham Center is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Petersham Center rank in MA?
Petersham Center is ranked #519 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Petersham Center's MySchoolScout rating?
Petersham Center has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Petersham Center?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Petersham Center has 29.2% math proficiency and 46.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Petersham Center a charter school?
No, Petersham Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Petersham Center a Title I school?
No, Petersham Center is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 133
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Worcester County
- Phone
- (978) 724-3363
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Petersham- District Enrollment
- 133
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,286
- 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.