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School district comparison · MCAS 2026 · other data 2024-25

Andover vs Methuen Schools

How the two districts, about 7 miles apart, compare on test scores, high school results, classrooms, spending and housing.

The short answer

  • Overall: Andover ranks higher, #28 to Methuen's #216 of 328 Massachusetts districts.
  • MCAS 2026: Andover students score higher: ELA 62% vs 29%, Math 69% vs 25% met expectations. Statewide: 41% and 41%.
  • SAT: Andover averages 122 points higher (1220 vs 1098).
  • Spending: Andover spends $4,032 more per student ($24,441 vs $20,409).
  • Homes: Homes cost more in Andover: single-family homes average $1.07M vs $580K. The average tax bill is $13,176 in Andover and $6,037 in Methuen.

MCAS results, 2026

Share of students meeting or exceeding expectations, all tested grades combined. Both districts test grades 3–10; "State" is the statewide figure for the same grades.

English Language ArtsAndover ahead
Andover
62%
Methuen
29%
State
41%
MathAndover ahead
Andover
69%
Methuen
25%
State
41%
ELA by year
YearAndoverMethuenState
202662%29%41%
202566%30%43%
202466%29%42%
202367%34%44%
202266%33%44%
202167%40%49%
Math by year
YearAndoverMethuenState
202669%25%41%
202569%27%41%
202468%27%42%
202366%28%42%
202265%27%40%
202160%25%36%

No test in 2020. Statewide 10th-grade results dropped after 2024, when passing the MCAS stopped being a graduation requirement.

High school results

Average SATAndover ahead
Andover
1220
Methuen
1098
MA avg
1113
AP exams scored 3+Andover ahead
Andover
82.3%
Methuen
67.7%
MA avg
69.1%
Four-year graduation rateAndover ahead
Andover
96.9%
Methuen
87.8%
MA avg
92.4%

Averages of each district's ranked high schools. "MA avg" is the average of all districts with high school data.

Classrooms, teachers & spending

Average class sizeAbout the same
Andover
18
Methuen
17.7
MA avg
17.3
Attendance rateAndover ahead
Andover
95.1%
Methuen
92.3%
MA avg
93.7%
Chronically absentmissed 10%+ of daysLower in Andover
Andover
8.6%
Methuen
23.9%
MA avg
16.9%
Teachers who stayedfrom last yearAndover ahead
Andover
90.2%
Methuen
88%
MA avg
84.7%
Spending per studentHigher in Andover
Andover
$24,441
Methuen
$20,409
MA median
$21,765
Average teacher salaryHigher in Andover
Andover
$107,624
Methuen
$86,154
MA median
$91,393

Spending is total per-pupil expenditure from all sources in FY2024. Class size is the average across all classes in the district.

Students

AndoverMethuen
Students in classes5,4906,603
English learners3.2%20.4%
Students with disabilities17.4%19.5%
White62.4%31.4%
Asian18.6%3.3%
Hispanic/Latino10.4%55.5%
Black/African American3.2%7.4%
Multi-race5.3%2.3%

Homes & taxes

Average single-family home valueHigher in Andover
Andover
$1.07M
Methuen
$580K
MA median
$588K
Average property tax billHigher in Andover
Andover
$13,176
Methuen
$6,037
MA median
$6,814
Andover
Essex County · North Shore & Merrimack Valley
Avg single-family home value$1.07MMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$13,176MA median $6,814
Tax rate$12.30 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$100,826MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school85.3%
Town bond ratingAAA
Free cash reserves11.5% of budget
Methuen
Essex County · North Shore & Merrimack Valley
Avg single-family home value$580KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$6,037MA median $6,814
Tax rate$10.40 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$37,068MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school89%
Town bond ratingAA-
Free cash reserves9.5% of budget

What could you afford in either town?

FY2026 averages for single-family homes from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue; for a district with several towns, the comparison uses the average of its towns. Assessed values usually run below recent sale prices.

The schools