Below Average
#1561 of 1,793 schools in MA
The Career Academy
High School · Lowell
125 Smith Street, Lowell, MA 01851
Enrollment
92
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
4.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
92
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
4.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Massachusetts schools
#1,561 of 1,793
In Lowell
#24 of 28
public schools
In district
#24 of 26
Lowell
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Excellent
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The Career Academy
High School in Lowell · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Abraham Lincoln
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Laura Lee Therapeutic Day School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About The Career Academy
The Career Academy is a public high school in Lowell, MA, part of Lowell. The Career Academy serves approximately 92 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 10.2:1 student-teacher ratio. The Career Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,561 of 1,793 schools in MA.
Structured state assessment records for The Career Academy show 13% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024) and 16% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024).
- This school 4.3 · Below Average
- District avg 5.2
- MA avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 92 students, The Career Academy 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.
Test scores at The Career Academy sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
99% of students at The Career 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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The Career Academy — Students at The Career Academy score 4% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Test Scores MA MCAS (2023-24)
Based on 22 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: 9.8/10.
How The Career Academy Compares
See how The Career Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 4.5/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School (rated 3.8/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 6.6 |
| Laura Lee Therapeutic Day School Lowell | 0.5 mi | — |
| Charles W Morey Lowell | 0.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Kathryn P. Stoklosa Middle School Lowell | 0.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Washington Lowell | 0.7 mi | 4.9 |
| 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 | 6.7 |
| Rogers STEM Academy Lowell | 0.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Bartlett Community Partnership Lowell | 0.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Lowell Community Charter Public School Lowell | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Cardinal O'Connell Early Learning Center Lowell | 0.9 mi | 5.5 |
| James S Daley Middle School Lowell | 1.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School Lowell | 1.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Lowell High Lowell | 1.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Dr Gertrude Bailey Lowell | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| John J Shaughnessy Lowell | 1.1 mi | 3.6 |
| B.F. Butler Middle School Lowell | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Joseph McAvinnue Lowell | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Springfield Public Day High School Springfield, MA | 4.3 |
| Full Circle High School Somerville, MA | 4.2 |
| Springfield International Academy at Sci-Tech Springfield, MA | 4.5 |
| TRIVIUM SCHOOL Lancaster, MA | 4.1 |
| Chicopee Academy Chicopee, MA | 4.6 |
| Chelsea Virtual Learning Academy Chelsea, MA | 4.7 |
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 ranks #1,561 of 1,793 schools in MA.
What is The Career Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
The Career Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 The Career Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, The Career Academy has 13% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024) and 16% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 98.9%
- Phone
- (978) 970-3318
- 4-Year Graduation
- 24.5%
Resources & Links
District
Lowell- District Enrollment
- 14,273
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,440
- District Rank
- #24 of 26
How we rate schools
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