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Average

#639 of 1,791 schools in MA

Top 36% in state

The Career Academy

High School · Lowell

125 Smith Street, Lowell, MA 01851

Enrollment

92

Student-Teacher

10.2:1

Score

6.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lowell

#5 of 28

public schools

Massachusetts high schools

#136 of 366

In district

#5 of 26

Lowell

Academic growth

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About The Career Academy

The Career Academy is a high school located in Lowell, Massachusetts, specifically at 125 Smith Street. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 92 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 10.2:1 with nine full-time equivalent teachers. The academy focuses on career-oriented education, preparing students for their future professional paths.

The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.8 out of 10, placing it at the 40th percentile among Massachusetts schools in terms of state ranking (#1086 out of 1796). Academically, the school has room for improvement, with an academic score of 3.0/10 and proficiency rates of 12% in ELA/Reading and 10% in Math across all grades. Despite these challenges, The Career Academy is committed to supporting its students through personalized attention and career-focused programs that aim to enhance their skills and readiness for the workforce.

The school sits in a large suburban area, providing a supportive community setting for both students and staff as they work together towards academic and professional success.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 92 students, The Career Academy 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.2Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data5
Annual Change+0.02 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.1Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Math vs. State Avg-24.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-33.2 pts
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected-1.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College Readiness6.8Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.4Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,674

The Career Academy — Students at The Career Academy score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MA MCAS (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 9.7%
School
State
53.7%
ELA Proficiency 12.1%
School
State
61.5%

Based on 14 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2021*
Math
12.5%
ELA
16.5%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2023
Math
8%
ELA
8%
2024
ELA
9%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How The Career Academy Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
64th percentile in MA
Academic
5.1/10
5.1/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Location

125 Smith Street, Lowell, MA 01851

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering The Career Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Lowell High (rated 4.7/10, 1.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School (rated 4.5/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lowell, see our Lowell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Abraham Lincoln Lowell 0.3 mi 6.1
Laura Lee Therapeutic Day School Lowell 0.5 mi
Charles W Morey Lowell 0.4 mi 4.7
Kathryn P. Stoklosa Middle School Lowell 0.6 mi 6.5
Washington Lowell 0.7 mi 3.9
COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lowell 0.6 mi 5.4
SAINT PATRICK SCHOOL AND EDUCATION CENTER Lowell 0.8 mi 6.2
HELLENIC AMERICAN ACADEMY Lowell 0.8 mi 6.5
Charlotte M Murkland Elementary Lowell 0.9 mi 6.5
Rogers STEM Academy Lowell 0.7 mi 5.3
Bartlett Community Partnership Lowell 0.8 mi 6.8
Lowell Community Charter Public School Lowell 0.7 mi 4.9
Cardinal O'Connell Early Learning Center Lowell 0.9 mi 6.2
James S Daley Middle School Lowell 1.0 mi 7.1
Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School Lowell 1.0 mi 4.5
Lowell High Lowell 1.1 mi 4.7
Dr Gertrude Bailey Lowell 1.1 mi 6.9
John J Shaughnessy Lowell 1.1 mi 4.1
B.F. Butler Middle School Lowell 1.1 mi 6.3
Joseph McAvinnue Lowell 1.4 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 01851 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$87,962

Median Home Value

$432,100

Median Rent

$1,686/mo

Population

32,308

College Educated

32%

Homeownership

44.7%

Avg Commute

28 min

Poverty Rate

16.6%

Median Age

35.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding The Career Academy has a median household income of $87,962. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $432,100, with a median rent of $1,686/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.6%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
CARDINAL CUSHING CENTERS Hanover, MA 6.9
Springfield International Academy at Sci-Tech Springfield, MA 6.9
WHITE OAK SCHOOL Westfield, MA 6.9
CityLab Innovation High School Revere, MA 7.0
BUXTON SCHOOL Williamstown, MA 6.8
Phoenix Academy Public Charter High School Lawrence Lawrence, MA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about The Career Academy

What grades does The Career Academy serve?

The Career Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend The Career Academy?

The Career Academy has an enrollment of approximately 92 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at The Career Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at The Career Academy is 10.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does The Career Academy rank in MA?

The Career Academy is ranked #639 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is The Career Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

The Career Academy has a composite rating of 6.9 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 The Career Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, The Career Academy has 9.7% math proficiency and 12.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is The Career Academy a charter school?

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

Is The Career Academy a Title I school?

No, The Career Academy is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
87 Very Walkable
Transit Score
60 Good Transit
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,207/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lowell). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
92
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Middlesex County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Lowell
District Enrollment
14,273
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,440
District Rank
#5 of 26

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 methodology

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