Below Average
#1561 of 1,793 schools in MA
The Career Academy
High School · Lowell · Lowell, MA
A Lowell high school where students score 21 points below what's typical for similar communities.
125 Smith Street, Lowell, MA 01851
- Math 0% vs MA 50% (2024)
- Reading 9% vs MA 58% (2024)
- 24.5% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Students at The Career Academy score 4% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
2024 MCAS proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. MA average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 10 points since 2021, to 5% in 2024, across a 9-year record (2016–2024).
Show all 9 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 13% (multi-year average, 2016-2024) · reading/ELA 16% (multi-year average, 2016-2024)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 22 test records from MA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
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.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where The Career Academy sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Boston map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 87Very Walkable
- Transit 60Good Transit
- Bike 41Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High2,207/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Lowell), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$87,962
Median home value
$432,100
Median rent
$1,686/mo
College educated
32%
Homeownership
44.7%
Poverty rate
16.6%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 01851; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter SchoolCharter · enrollment unverified | 3.8 | 9–12 | 1.0 mi | 106 | Compare → |
| Lowell HighEnrollment path unverified | 4.5 | 9–12 | 1.1 mi | 3,402 | Compare → |
| Collegiate Charter School of LowellCharter · enrollment unverified | 2.8 | K–12 | 1.8 mi | 1,211 | Compare → |
| Leblanc Therapeutic Day SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 6.8 | 9–12 | 1.9 mi | 36 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Charter · enrollment unverified: Potential charter option; enrollment requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Lowell
- Schools in district
- 27
- Rank in district
- #24 of 26
- District spending per student
- $22,440NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 18.6%Census SAIPE · 2024
The Career Academy is listed in Lowell; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About The Career Academy
The Career Academy is a public high school in Lowell, MA, part of Lowell, serving approximately 92 students in grades 9th-12th with a 10.2:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,561 of 1,793 schools in MA. State assessment records show 13% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024) and 16% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- 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%
- Area population (ZIP 01851)
- 32,308
- Area average commute
- 28 min
- Area median age
- 35.6
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 MCAS · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 MCAS · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- State assessments · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 01851; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2016-2024; directory SY 2023–24
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