Worcester County Schools & Education

Worcester County, Massachusetts

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

75/100

Higher = better

Rating

High Performing

Graduation Rate

90.9%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

90.9%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 88.1%

Per-Pupil Spending

$11,452

National avg $13,239

State avg $13,582

School Score

75/100

Higher = better

State avg 72/100

Student-Teacher Ratio

N/A

National avg 15.8 : 1

Free Lunch (Median)

N/A

National median 48.2%

State School Rank

#7

of 14 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Worcester County

School Verdict

Worcester County is a high-performing district with a school score of 75/100 and a graduation rate of 90.9%, reflecting strong academic outcomes.

Funding Context

Worcester County spends $11,452 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Worcester County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 4% above the Massachusetts average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 2.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 16% lower than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Worcester County, Massachusetts

Expansive Education Across Central Massachusetts

Worcester County features 252 public schools across 52 districts, educating a total of 120,874 students. The network is broad, consisting of 133 elementary, 44 middle, and 58 high schools, plus 17 schools with unique grade structures. It is one of the most geographically diverse counties, offering everything from urban centers to rural campuses.

Strong Graduation Success on a Lean Budget

The county achieves a 90.9% graduation rate, surpassing both the state average of 88.1% and the national average of 87%. This success is reached with a per-pupil expenditure of $11,452, which is more than $2,000 below the state average. The composite school score stands at 63.6, reflecting solid performance across its many districts.

Worcester and Wachusett Lead the Region

The Worcester district is the largest, with 46 schools serving 24,318 students, followed by Wachusett with 6,739 students. Leominster also represents a significant hub with 6,000 students across 12 schools. While traditional districts prevail, the Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School serves over 1,400 students as a major alternative.

A Diverse Mix of Suburban and Rural Schools

The county offers a unique locale mix with 134 suburban schools, 64 rural campuses, and 49 city schools. The average school size is 487 students, but institutions like Wachusett Regional High can reach nearly 2,000 students. This variety allows families to choose between large regional high schools and small-town learning environments.

Find Your Perfect Fit in Central Massachusetts

Worcester County offers an ideal balance of high graduation rates and diverse school settings, from quiet rural towns to vibrant cities. Whether you seek the resources of the Worcester Technical High or a smaller suburban school, this region has it all. Search for homes today to find an affordable community that doesn't compromise on school quality.

School Overview

Total Schools

252

in Worcester County

Total Enrollment

120,874

students

School Districts

52

districts

Charter Schools

4

2% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary133
Middle44
High58
Other17

52 School Districts in Worcester County

Worcester

46 schools
24,318 students

Wachusett

13 schools
6,739 students

Leominster

12 schools
6,000 students

Shrewsbury

9 schools
5,892 students

Fitchburg

8 schools
5,167 students

Milford

6 schools
4,483 students

Westborough

6 schools
3,830 students

Dudley-Charlton Reg

7 schools
3,429 students

Grafton

6 schools
3,080 students

Auburn

5 schools
2,558 students

252 Public Schools in Worcester County

Wachusett Regional High

Wachusett

9–12High1,930 students
Shrewsbury High School

Shrewsbury

9–12High1,823 students
South High Community

Worcester

9–12High1,666 students
Worcester Technical High

Worcester

9–12Vocational1,469 students
Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School

Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public (District)

KG–12Charter1,422 students
Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical

Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical

9–12Vocational1,409 students
North High

Worcester

9–12High1,377 students
Doherty Memorial High

Worcester

9–12High1,344 students
Milford High

Milford

9–12High1,324 students
Fitchburg High

Fitchburg

9–12High1,246 students
Blackstone Valley

Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical

9–12Vocational1,230 students
Algonquin Regional High

Northboro-Southboro

9–12High1,213 students
Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School

Southern Worcester County Regional Vocational District

9–12Vocational1,185 students
Burncoat Senior High

Worcester

9–12High1,179 students
Westborough High

Westborough

9–12High1,178 students
Leominster High School

Leominster

9–12High1,034 students
Stacy Middle

Milford

6–8Middle1,030 students
Gardner Elementary School

Gardner

PK–4Primary986 students
Northbridge Elementary School

Northbridge

PK–5Primary953 students
Sherwood Middle School

Shrewsbury

5–6Middle948 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$11,452

State avg $13,582

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Worcester County rate?
Worcester County has a school score of 75/100, which is considered high performing. This score is calculated from graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and educational attainment data from NCES and the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the graduation rate in Worcester County?
The high school graduation rate in Worcester County is 90.9%, which is above the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does Worcester County spend per student?
Worcester County spends $11,452 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. This includes instructional costs, support services, and capital expenditures allocated across the student population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Worcester County, Massachusetts — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Worcester County, Massachusetts?

Worcester County features 252 public schools across 52 districts, educating a total of 120,874 students. The network is broad, consisting of 133 elementary, 44 middle, and 58 high schools, plus 17 schools with unique grade structures. It is one of the most geographically diverse counties, offering everything from urban centers to rural campuses.

How do schools in Worcester County perform academically?

The county achieves a 90.9% graduation rate, surpassing both the state average of 88.1% and the national average of 87%. This success is reached with a per-pupil expenditure of $11,452, which is more than $2,000 below the state average. The composite school score stands at 63.6, reflecting solid performance across its many districts.

What are the major school districts in Worcester County, Massachusetts?

The Worcester district is the largest, with 46 schools serving 24,318 students, followed by Wachusett with 6,739 students. Leominster also represents a significant hub with 6,000 students across 12 schools. While traditional districts prevail, the Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School serves over 1,400 students as a major alternative.

What is the school experience like in Worcester County?

The county offers a unique locale mix with 134 suburban schools, 64 rural campuses, and 49 city schools. The average school size is 487 students, but institutions like Wachusett Regional High can reach nearly 2,000 students. This variety allows families to choose between large regional high schools and small-town learning environments.

How can I find homes near good schools in Worcester County, Massachusetts?

Worcester County offers an ideal balance of high graduation rates and diverse school settings, from quiet rural towns to vibrant cities. Whether you seek the resources of the Worcester Technical High or a smaller suburban school, this region has it all. Search for homes today to find an affordable community that doesn't compromise on school quality.

Counties with Similar School Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.

Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.