Excellent
#224 of 1,793 schools in MA
Top 12% in state
Petersham Center
Elementary School · Petersham
31 Spring Street PO Box 148, Petersham, MA 01366
Enrollment
133
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
133
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Massachusetts schools
#224 of 1,793
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Petersham Center?
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Petersham Center
Elementary School in Petersham · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Petersham Montessori Schools
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Athol-royalston Middle School
6.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Petersham Center
Petersham Center is a public elementary school in Petersham, MA, part of Petersham. Petersham Center serves approximately 133 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Petersham Center has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #224 of 1,793 schools in MA.
Structured state assessment records for Petersham Center show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.4 · Excellent
- MA avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
At 133 students, Petersham Center is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Petersham 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Petersham Center — Students at Petersham Center score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 96 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: 9.7/10.
How Petersham Center Compares
See how Petersham Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Fisher Hill School (rated 6.0/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Orange), a more accessible option. Another option is Templeton Elementary School (rated 5.9/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Templeton), a more accessible option. Additionally, Athol Community Elementary School (rated 5.5/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Athol), 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 | 3.8 |
| Athol Community Elementary School Athol | 6.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Athol High Athol | 6.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Ruggles Lane Barre | 5.7 mi | 5.4 |
| SEVEN HILLS/STETSON SCHOOL Barre | 6.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Quabbin Regional High School Barre | 7.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Quabbin Regional Middle School Barre | 7.0 mi | 4.1 |
| EAGLE HILL SCHOOL Hardwick | 8.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Templeton Elementary School Templeton | 7.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Ralph C Mahar Regional Orange | 8.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Narragansett Regional High Baldwinville | 9.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Narragansett Middle Baldwinville | 9.3 mi | 3.5 |
| THE VILLAGE SCHOOL Royalston | 11.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Fisher Hill School Orange | 9.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Hardwick Elementary Gilbertville | 11.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Swift River New Salem | 8.8 mi | 3.9 |
| ST ALOYSIUS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gilbertville | 11.9 mi | 4.6 |
| New Braintree Grade New Braintree | 12.1 mi | 4.1 |
| Hubbardston Center Hubbardston | 9.4 mi | 5.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| KINGSLEY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Boston, MA | 8.5 |
| Shutesbury Elementary Shutesbury, MA | 8.3 |
| Chester Elementary Chester, MA | 8.6 |
| Farmington River Elementary Otis, MA | 8.6 |
| Orleans Elementary Orleans, MA | 8.6 |
| Hale Elementary School Roxbury, MA | 8.2 |
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 ranks #224 of 1,793 schools in MA.
What is Petersham Center's MySchoolScout rating?
Petersham Center has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 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 Petersham Center?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Petersham Center has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 18.8%
- Phone
- (978) 724-3363
Resources & Links
District
Petersham- District Enrollment
- 133
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,286
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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