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Average

#733 of 1,793 schools in MA

Top 41% in state

Spark Academy

Middle School · Lawrence

165 Crawford Street, Lawrence, MA 01843

Enrollment

445

Student-Teacher

11.1:1

Score

6.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Massachusetts schools

#733 of 1,793

In Lawrence

#3 of 29

public schools

In district

#3 of 26

Lawrence

Academic growth

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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Spark Academy

6.7/10

Middle School in Lawrence · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

South Lawrence East Elementary School

6.0/10

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

John Breen School

5.8/10

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

About Spark Academy

Spark Academy is a public middle school in Lawrence, MA, part of Lawrence. Spark Academy serves approximately 445 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Spark Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #733 of 1,793 schools in MA.

Structured state assessment records for Spark Academy show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025).

How it compares1.7 pts above district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 5.0
  • MA avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

41% of students at Spark Academy were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.19 pts/yr
Data Period2012–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.0Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28.5% (2025 MCAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency26.2% (2025 MCAS)
Math vs. State Avg-13.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.6 pts
Overall Proficiency27% (2025 MCAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)22% (model expectation from 2025 MCAS)
vs. Expected+5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,208
Chronic Absenteeism41.3%

Spark Academy — Students at Spark Academy score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 27.8% (multi-year average, 2012-2025)
School
State
42.1% (multi-year state average, 2018-2025)
ELA Proficiency 25.8% (multi-year average, 2012-2025)
School
State
45.5% (multi-year state average, 2018-2025)

Based on 90 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2012
Math
57%
ELA
37%
2013
Math
39%
ELA
43%
2014
Math
45%
ELA
40%
2015
Math
53%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
38%
ELA
30%
2017
Math
31%
ELA
21%
2018
Math
32.8%
ELA
22.6%
2019
Math
37.8%
ELA
25.6%
2020*
Math
7%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
7%
ELA
14.8%
2022
Math
19.4%
ELA
24.2%
2023
Math
27.3%
ELA
31.8%
2024
Math
26.5%
ELA
24.3%
2025
Math
28.5%
ELA
26.3%

* 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: 8.9/10.

How Spark Academy Compares

See how Spark Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
59th percentile in MA
Academic
6.0/10
Average
Growth
8.9/10
Excellent
Environment
4.0/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
41.3%

Location

165 Crawford Street, Lawrence, MA 01843

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Spark Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ESPERANZA ACADEMY (rated 5.9/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Oliver Middle School (rated 4.0/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Frost Middle School (rated 4.0/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lawrence, see our Lawrence schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
South Lawrence East Elementary School Lawrence 0.0 mi 6.0
John Breen School Lawrence 0.1 mi 5.8
Lawrence High School Lawrence 0.4 mi 3.9
Thomson North Andover 0.6 mi 7.9
LAWRENCE CATHOLIC ACADEMY Lawrence 0.6 mi 4.8
High School Learning Center Lawrence 0.8 mi 4.7
Phoenix Academy Public Charter High School Lawrence Lawrence 1.0 mi 6.5
Leonard Middle School Lawrence 1.0 mi 3.2
Community Day Charter Public School Lawrence 1.1 mi 5.3
ST MICHAEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL North Andover 0.9 mi 4.5
ESPERANZA ACADEMY Lawrence 1.1 mi 5.9
Rollins Early Childhood Center Lawrence 1.3 mi 4.9
Emily G Wetherbee Lawrence 1.0 mi 5.1
Shawsheen School Andover 1.4 mi 6.5
Francis M Leahy Lawrence 1.4 mi 3.3
School for Exceptional Studies Lawrence 1.4 mi 4.2
Oliver Middle School Lawrence 1.4 mi 4.0
Robert Frost Lawrence 1.3 mi 6.7
Frost Middle School Lawrence 1.3 mi 4.0
Edward F. Parthum Lawrence 1.6 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 01843 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,163

Median Home Value

$393,700

Median Rent

$1,703/mo

Population

28,444

College Educated

20.5%

Homeownership

35.9%

Avg Commute

23.9 min

Poverty Rate

14%

Median Age

33.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bird Middle East Walpole, MA 6.7
Eleanor N Johnson Middle Walpole, MA 6.7
John W. Wynn Middle Tewksbury, MA 6.7
Pembroke Community Middle School Pembroke, MA 6.7
Springfield Legacy Academy Springfield, MA 6.7
Albert F Ford Middle School Acushnet, MA 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Spark Academy

What grades does Spark Academy serve?

Spark Academy serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Spark Academy?

Spark Academy has an enrollment of approximately 445 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Spark Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Spark Academy is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Spark Academy rank in MA?

Spark Academy ranks #733 of 1,793 schools in MA.

What is Spark Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Spark Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Spark Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Spark Academy has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025).

Is Spark Academy a charter school?

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

Is Spark Academy a Title I school?

No, Spark Academy is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
66 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
48 Some Transit
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
445
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Essex County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
41.3%

District

Lawrence
District Enrollment
13,008
Schools in District
26
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,208
District Rank
#3 of 26

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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