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

Athol-Royalston vs Erving Schools

How the two districts, about 11 miles apart, compare on test scores, high school results, classrooms, spending and housing.

The short answer

  • Overall: Erving ranks higher, #167 to Athol-Royalston's #302 of 328 Massachusetts districts.
  • MCAS 2026: Erving students score higher: ELA 39% vs 21%, Math 56% vs 20% met expectations.
  • High school: Erving has no high school in our rankings (its students may attend a regional high school), so only Athol-Royalston has SAT and graduation figures (SAT average 964).
  • Spending: Erving spends $10,814 more per student ($29,704 vs $18,890).
  • Homes: Homes cost more in Athol-Royalston: single-family homes average $326K vs $289K. The average tax bill is $3,716 in Athol-Royalston and $2,772 in Erving.
  • Class size: Smaller in Erving: 12.4 students on average vs 17.4.

MCAS results, 2026

Share of students meeting or exceeding expectations, all tested grades combined. The districts serve different grades (Athol-Royalston: grades 3–10; Erving: grades 3–6), so the state figure isn't shown.

English Language ArtsErving ahead
Athol-Royalston
21%
Erving
39%
MathErving ahead
Athol-Royalston
20%
Erving
56%
ELA by year
YearAthol-RoyalstonErving
202621%39%
202521%32%
202423%34%
202326%28%
202225%23%
202133%—
Math by year
YearAthol-RoyalstonErving
202620%56%
202520%23%
202419%24%
202322%26%
202226%25%
202122%—

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

High school results

Average SAT
Athol-Royalston
964
Erving: no data
MA avg
1113
AP exams scored 3+
Athol-Royalston
29.7%
Erving: no data
MA avg
69.1%
Four-year graduation rate
Athol-Royalston
83.8%
Erving: no data
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 sizeHigher in Athol-Royalston
Athol-Royalston
17.4
Erving
12.4
MA avg
17.3
Attendance rateErving ahead
Athol-Royalston
92.1%
Erving
93.7%
MA avg
93.7%
Chronically absentmissed 10%+ of daysLower in Erving
Athol-Royalston
25.7%
Erving
23.5%
MA avg
16.9%
Teachers who stayedfrom last yearErving ahead
Athol-Royalston
79.2%
Erving
85.7%
MA avg
84.7%
Spending per studentHigher in Erving
Athol-Royalston
$18,890
Erving
$29,704
MA median
$21,765
Average teacher salaryHigher in Athol-Royalston
Athol-Royalston
$76,325
Erving
$62,616
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

Athol-RoyalstonErving
Students in classes1,591112
English learners4.3%1.8%
Students with disabilities26.1%27.7%
White74.7%83%
Asian1%0%
Hispanic/Latino17.3%8.5%
Black/African American2.5%0%
Multi-race4.5%8.5%

Homes & taxes

Average single-family home valueHigher in Athol-Royalston
Athol-Royalston
$326K
Erving
$289K
MA median
$588K
Average property tax billHigher in Athol-Royalston
Athol-Royalston
$3,716
Erving
$2,772
MA median
$6,814
Athol
Worcester County · Central Massachusetts
Avg single-family home value$310KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$3,924MA median $6,814
Tax rate$12.70 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$25,569MA median $47,872
Town bond ratingAA-
Free cash reserves5.9% of budget
Royalston
Worcester County · Central Massachusetts
Avg single-family home value$342KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$3,507MA median $6,814
Tax rate$10.30 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$30,010MA median $47,872
Free cash reserves4.1% of budget
Erving
Franklin County · Western Massachusetts
Avg single-family home value$289KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$2,772MA median $6,814
Tax rate$9.60 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$27,928MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school93.9%
Town bond ratingAA
Free cash reserves8.8% 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

Athol-Royalston
High schools · rank of 335
Athol HighSAT 964#307 C-
Elementary schools · rank of 895
Royalston Community School#733 CAthol Community Elementary School#814 C-
Erving
Elementary schools · rank of 895
Erving Elementary#413 B-