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Very Good

#608 of 1,793 schools in MA

Top 34% in state

Van Sickle Academy

Middle School · Springfield

1170 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104

Enrollment

252

Student-Teacher

10.1:1

Score

7.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Massachusetts schools

#608 of 1,793

In Springfield

#13 of 67

public schools

In district

#14 of 61

Springfield

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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Van Sickle Academy

7.1/10

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

The Springfield Renaissance School an Expeditionary Learning

5.9/10

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

Rise Academy at Van Sickle

5.2/10

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

About Van Sickle Academy

Van Sickle Academy is a public middle school in Springfield, MA, part of Springfield. Van Sickle Academy serves approximately 252 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 10.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Van Sickle Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #608 of 1,793 schools in MA.

Structured state assessment records for Van Sickle Academy show 11% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2025) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts above district
  • This school 7.1 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.1
  • MA avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

45% of students at Van Sickle 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 Progress9.6Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data11
Annual Change+0.63 pts/yr
Data Period2015–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.9Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.5% (2025 MCAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.5% (2025 MCAS)
Math vs. State Avg-29.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.4 pts
Overall Proficiency19% (2025 MCAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)4% (model expectation from 2025 MCAS)
vs. Expected+15.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,900
Chronic Absenteeism44.8%

Van Sickle Academy — Students at Van Sickle Academy score 18% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 4%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 11.1% (multi-year average, 2015-2025)
School
State
42.1% (multi-year state average, 2018-2025)
ELA Proficiency 18.9% (multi-year average, 2015-2025)
School
State
45.5% (multi-year state average, 2018-2025)

Based on 84 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2015
Math
22%
ELA
45%
2016
Math
8%
ELA
14%
2017
Math
11%
ELA
16%
2018
Math
11.4%
ELA
16.6%
2019
Math
9%
ELA
17.4%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
14%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
14.2%
2022
Math
9%
ELA
17%
2023
Math
13.8%
ELA
24%
2024
Math
12%
ELA
18.3%
2025
Math
12.5%
ELA
24.5%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How Van Sickle Academy Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
66th percentile in MA
Academic
5.9/10
Average
Growth
9.6/10
Excellent
Environment
4.6/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
44.8%

Location

1170 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Van Sickle Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Rise Academy at Van Sickle (rated 5.2/10), a more accessible option. Additionally, Dupont Middle (rated 5.2/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Chicopee), a more accessible option. For more schools in Springfield, see our Springfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
The Springfield Renaissance School an Expeditionary Learning Springfield 0.0 mi 5.9
Rise Academy at Van Sickle Springfield 0.0 mi 5.2
Liberty Springfield 0.4 mi 6.8
Mary O Pottenger Springfield 0.5 mi 5.5
ACADEMY HILL SCHOOL Springfield 0.7 mi 7.1
Samuel Bowles Springfield 0.9 mi 5.9
VALLEY WEST SCHOOL Chicopee 0.9 mi 6.8
GRACE ACADEMY Springfield 1.0 mi 5.1
Glenwood Springfield 0.9 mi 6.0
Edward P. Boland School Springfield 1.1 mi 8.5
Alfred G. Zanetti Montessori Magnet School Springfield 1.1 mi 8.6
Chicopee High Chicopee 1.2 mi 4.7
Springfield Public Day Elementary School Springfield 1.2 mi 6.3
Margaret C Ells Springfield 1.1 mi 5.8
Rebecca M Johnson Springfield 1.5 mi 4.1
Springfield International Academy at Johnson Springfield 1.5 mi 6.2
Phoenix Academy Public Charter High School Springfield Springfield 1.5 mi 4.2
Dupont Middle Chicopee 1.3 mi 5.2
Early Childhood Education Center Springfield 1.5 mi 5.8
RFK ACADEMY SCHOOL Springfield 1.6 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 01104 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$47,530

Median Home Value

$210,800

Median Rent

$1,004/mo

Population

21,745

College Educated

12.8%

Homeownership

46.1%

Avg Commute

18.1 min

Poverty Rate

21.8%

Median Age

34.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Williams Middle Longmeadow, MA 7.0
Chocksett Middle School Sterling, MA 7.2
Marblehead Community Charter Public School Marblehead, MA 7.2
Annie Sullivan Middle School Franklin, MA 6.9
Jabish Middle School Belchertown, MA 6.9
Pentucket Regional Middle West Newbury, MA 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Van Sickle Academy

What grades does Van Sickle Academy serve?

Van Sickle Academy serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Van Sickle Academy?

Van Sickle Academy has an enrollment of approximately 252 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Van Sickle Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Van Sickle Academy is 10.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Van Sickle Academy rank in MA?

Van Sickle Academy ranks #608 of 1,793 schools in MA.

What is Van Sickle Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Van Sickle Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 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 Van Sickle Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Van Sickle Academy has 11% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2025) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2025).

Is Van Sickle Academy a charter school?

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

Is Van Sickle Academy a Title I school?

No, Van Sickle Academy is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
69 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
54 Good Transit
Bike Score
56 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
252
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Hampden County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
44.8%

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