Below Average
#1629 of 1,791 schools in MA
Ralph C Mahar Regional
High School · Ralph C Mahar
PO Box 680, Orange, MA 01364
Enrollment
504
Student-Teacher
8.5:1
Score
4.3
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
504
Student-Teacher
8.5:1
Score
4.3
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Orange
#2 of 2
public schools
Massachusetts high schools
#349 of 366
School environment
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Ralph C Mahar Regional
Ralph C Mahar Regional is a high school located in the town of Orange, Massachusetts, on the edge of an urban area. The school serves students from seventh through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 504 students with a student-teacher ratio of 8.5:1. With 59 full-time equivalent teachers, Ralph C Mahar Regional aims to provide individualized attention to each student.
The academic performance at Ralph C Mahar Regional shows room for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1474 out of 1796 schools in Massachusetts (18th percentile). The school’s proficiency rates in ELA/Reading are at 33%, Math is 31%, and Science stands slightly higher at 35%. These scores suggest that the school is focusing on student development and improvement.
Ralph C Mahar Regional is situated in a community with a mix of rural and urban influences, offering students access to both small-town charm and nearby city amenities.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.5:1, Ralph C Mahar Regional offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Ralph C Mahar Regional — Students at Ralph C Mahar Regional score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 76 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: 3.0/10.
How Ralph C Mahar Regional Compares
See how Ralph C Mahar Regional performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 29% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 48% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
PO Box 680, Orange, MA 01364
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ralph C Mahar Regional may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Franklin County Technical (rated 5.9/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Turners Falls), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pioneer Valley Regional (rated 5.3/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Northfield), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Athol High (rated 4.7/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Athol), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Orange, see our Orange schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Fisher Hill School Orange | 1.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Swift River New Salem | 4.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Athol Community Elementary School Athol | 4.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Athol-Royalston Middle School Athol | 4.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Athol High Athol | 5.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Petersham Center Petersham | 8.4 mi | 7.2 |
| PETERSHAM MONTESSORI SCHOOLS Petersham | 8.5 mi | — |
| THE VILLAGE SCHOOL Royalston | 8.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Shutesbury Elementary Shutesbury | 10.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Erving Elementary Erving | 9.3 mi | 6.8 |
| IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL Richmond | 12.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Royalston Community School Royalston | 10.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Northfield Elementary Northfield | 11.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Winchester School Winchester | 13.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Gill Elementary Gill | 11.1 mi | 8.7 |
| Pioneer Valley Regional Northfield | 11.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Franklin County Technical Turners Falls | 11.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Leverett Elementary Leverett | 12.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Narragansett Regional High Baldwinville | 11.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Narragansett Middle Baldwinville | 11.7 mi | 3.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 01364 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,061
Median Home Value
$226,000
Median Rent
$745/mo
Population
7,668
College Educated
16%
Homeownership
67.3%
Avg Commute
30.3 min
Poverty Rate
21.1%
Median Age
43.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ralph C Mahar Regional has a median household income of $54,061. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $226,000, with a median rent of $745/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Avon Middle High School Avon, MA | 4.3 |
| Oakmont Regional High School Ashburnham, MA | 4.3 |
| BISHOP STANG HIGH SCHOOL North Dartmouth, MA | 4.2 |
| ARCHBISHOP WILLIAMS HIGH SCHOOL Braintree, MA | 4.4 |
| NOTRE DAME ACADEMY Hingham, MA | 4.4 |
| Baystate Academy Charter Public School Springfield, MA | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ralph C Mahar Regional
What grades does Ralph C Mahar Regional serve?
Ralph C Mahar Regional serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Ralph C Mahar Regional?
Ralph C Mahar Regional has an enrollment of approximately 504 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ralph C Mahar Regional?
The student-teacher ratio at Ralph C Mahar Regional is 8.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ralph C Mahar Regional rank in MA?
Ralph C Mahar Regional is ranked #1629 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Ralph C Mahar Regional's MySchoolScout rating?
Ralph C Mahar Regional has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Ralph C Mahar Regional?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ralph C Mahar Regional has 30.6% math proficiency and 32.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ralph C Mahar Regional a charter school?
No, Ralph C Mahar Regional is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ralph C Mahar Regional a Title I school?
No, Ralph C Mahar Regional is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,244/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Orange). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 504
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 59
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Franklin County
- Phone
- (978) 544-2542
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ralph C Mahar- District Enrollment
- 504
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $28,285
- 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
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