February 6, 2025·8 min read

Biggest MA SAT Score Gains 2016-2024

Which schools have made the biggest leaps in SAT performance? We analyzed 8 years of data from 2016-17 to 2024-25 to identify the Massachusetts high schools with the most impressive gains. The results challenge conventional wisdom: vocational schools and urban districts lead the pack.

+178
Top Gain
8
Years Analyzed
254
Schools Qualified
+127
Avg Top 10 Gain
Methodology: Schools must have at least 50 SAT test-takers in both 2016-17 and 2024-25 to qualify for this ranking. This threshold ensures statistical reliability and excludes schools where small sample sizes could skew results. Of the 322 schools with data in both years, 254 met this criteria. Data sourced from Massachusetts DESE.
1

Overall SAT Score Gains

Combined Reading/Writing + Math improvement

The Story: Vocational-technical schools dominate this list, with 4 of the top 10 spots. Joseph P. Keefe Technical leads with a remarkable 178-point improvement (18.8% growth). Worcester Public Schools shows up three times, suggesting a district-wide commitment to improvement.
#1
Joseph P Keefe Technical High School →
South Middlesex Regional Vocational TechnicalVocational
Total SAT+178 pts
2016-17
947
2024-25
1125
+178 points
Growth: +18.8%
SAT Takers: 78 → 64(-18%)
#2
Total SAT+174 pts
2016-17
952
2024-25
1126
+174 points
Growth: +18.3%
SAT Takers: 328 → 137(-58%)
#3
Minuteman Regional High →
Minuteman Regional Vocational TechnicalVocational
Total SAT+131 pts
2016-17
1044
2024-25
1175
+131 points
Growth: +12.5%
SAT Takers: 97 → 125(+29%)
#4
Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical →
Southeastern Regional Vocational TechnicalVocational
Total SAT+131 pts
2016-17
937
2024-25
1068
+131 points
Growth: +14%
SAT Takers: 237 → 131(-45%)
#5
Somerville High →
SomervilleUrban
Total SAT+130 pts
2016-17
1045
2024-25
1175
+130 points
Growth: +12.4%
SAT Takers: 252 → 231(-8%)
#6
Total SAT+126 pts
2016-17
953
2024-25
1079
+126 points
Growth: +13.2%
SAT Takers: 252 → 76(-70%)
#7
Randolph High →
RandolphSuburban
Total SAT+116 pts
2016-17
980
2024-25
1096
+116 points
Growth: +11.8%
SAT Takers: 170 → 55(-68%)
#8
Maynard High →
MaynardSuburban
Total SAT+99 pts
2016-17
1088
2024-25
1187
+99 points
Growth: +9.1%
SAT Takers: 98 → 75(-23%)
#9
Total SAT+93 pts
2016-17
1098
2024-25
1191
+93 points
Growth: +8.5%
SAT Takers: 153 → 66(-57%)
#10
Total SAT+91 pts
2016-17
1008
2024-25
1099
+91 points
Growth: +9%
SAT Takers: 506 → 132(-74%)
2

Math Score Gains

SAT Math section improvement (200-800 scale)

The Story: Worcester South High Community leads with a 75-point Math improvement. The vocational-technical school pattern continues here, with hands-on, applied learning environments proving effective for math instruction. Urban schools show they can compete with suburban counterparts when given the right resources and focus.
#1
Math+75 pts
2016-17
481
2024-25
556
+75 points
Growth: +15.6%
SAT Takers: 328 → 137(-58%)
#2
Joseph P Keefe Technical High School →
South Middlesex Regional Vocational TechnicalVocational
Math+69 pts
2016-17
473
2024-25
542
+69 points
Growth: +14.6%
SAT Takers: 78 → 64(-18%)
#3
Minuteman Regional High →
Minuteman Regional Vocational TechnicalVocational
Math+56 pts
2016-17
511
2024-25
567
+56 points
Growth: +11%
SAT Takers: 97 → 125(+29%)
#4
Somerville High →
SomervilleUrban
Math+51 pts
2016-17
523
2024-25
574
+51 points
Growth: +9.8%
SAT Takers: 252 → 231(-8%)
#5
Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical →
Southeastern Regional Vocational TechnicalVocational
Math+48 pts
2016-17
467
2024-25
515
+48 points
Growth: +10.3%
SAT Takers: 237 → 131(-45%)
#6
Randolph High →
RandolphSuburban
Math+46 pts
2016-17
499
2024-25
545
+46 points
Growth: +9.2%
SAT Takers: 170 → 55(-68%)
#7
Math+44 pts
2016-17
540
2024-25
584
+44 points
Growth: +8.1%
SAT Takers: 153 → 66(-57%)
#8
Maynard High →
MaynardSuburban
Math+43 pts
2016-17
531
2024-25
574
+43 points
Growth: +8.1%
SAT Takers: 98 → 75(-23%)
#9
Chelsea High →
ChelseaUrban
Math+42 pts
2016-17
476
2024-25
518
+42 points
Growth: +8.8%
SAT Takers: 205 → 96(-53%)
#10
Wellesley Sr High →
WellesleySuburban
Math+41 pts
2016-17
611
2024-25
652
+41 points
Growth: +6.7%
SAT Takers: 391 → 354(-9%)
3

Reading/Writing Gains

SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing improvement (200-800 scale)

The Story: Reading/Writing shows the largest percentage gains overall, with Keefe Technical improving by an astounding 23% (109 points). This suggests that literacy initiatives at these schools have been particularly effective. Worcester schools again feature prominently, with Burncoat Senior High making the top 3.
#1
Joseph P Keefe Technical High School →
South Middlesex Regional Vocational TechnicalVocational
Reading/Writing+109 pts
2016-17
474
2024-25
583
+109 points
Growth: +23%
SAT Takers: 78 → 64(-18%)
#2
Reading/Writing+99 pts
2016-17
471
2024-25
570
+99 points
Growth: +21%
SAT Takers: 328 → 137(-58%)
#3
Reading/Writing+85 pts
2016-17
476
2024-25
561
+85 points
Growth: +17.9%
SAT Takers: 252 → 76(-70%)
#4
Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical →
Southeastern Regional Vocational TechnicalVocational
Reading/Writing+83 pts
2016-17
470
2024-25
553
+83 points
Growth: +17.7%
SAT Takers: 237 → 131(-45%)
#5
Somerville High →
SomervilleUrban
Reading/Writing+79 pts
2016-17
522
2024-25
601
+79 points
Growth: +15.1%
SAT Takers: 252 → 231(-8%)
#6
Minuteman Regional High →
Minuteman Regional Vocational TechnicalVocational
Reading/Writing+75 pts
2016-17
533
2024-25
608
+75 points
Growth: +14.1%
SAT Takers: 97 → 125(+29%)
#7
Randolph High →
RandolphSuburban
Reading/Writing+70 pts
2016-17
481
2024-25
551
+70 points
Growth: +14.6%
SAT Takers: 170 → 55(-68%)
#8
Diman Regional Vocational Technical High →
Greater Fall River Regional Vocational TechnicalVocational
Reading/Writing+62 pts
2016-17
495
2024-25
557
+62 points
Growth: +12.5%
SAT Takers: 174 → 69(-60%)
#9
South Hadley High →
South HadleySuburban
Reading/Writing+62 pts
2016-17
543
2024-25
605
+62 points
Growth: +11.4%
SAT Takers: 112 → 69(-38%)
#10
Medford High →
MedfordSuburban
Reading/Writing+57 pts
2016-17
549
2024-25
606
+57 points
Growth: +10.4%
SAT Takers: 334 → 145(-57%)

Key Takeaways

  • Vocational schools are academic powerhouses: 4 of the top 10 overall gainers are vocational-technical schools, challenging stereotypes about career-focused education
  • Worcester is a model district: The city appears multiple times across all three lists, suggesting effective district-wide initiatives
  • Reading/Writing gains outpace Math: Top schools improved R/W by up to 23% vs. Math's 15.6%, indicating successful literacy programs
  • Urban schools can compete: Schools in Somerville, Randolph, and Worcester prove that urban environments are no barrier to improvement
  • Sustained effort pays off: These gains represent 8 years of consistent work—not overnight success

Interested in statewide trends?

See the Post-COVID SAT Divergence →

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