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

Auburn vs Sutton Schools

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

The short answer

  • Overall: Neck and neck: Auburn ranks #140 and Sutton #134 of 328 Massachusetts districts.
  • MCAS 2026: Similar results: in Auburn, 41% met expectations in ELA and 43% in Math; in Sutton, 41% and 45%. Statewide: 41% and 41%.
  • SAT: Sutton averages 40 points higher (1145 vs 1105).
  • Spending: Sutton spends $1,899 more per student ($19,681 vs $17,782).
  • Homes: Homes cost more in Sutton: single-family homes average $627K vs $443K. The average tax bill is $6,307 in Auburn and $7,247 in Sutton.

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 ArtsSame
Auburn
41%
Sutton
41%
State
41%
MathSutton ahead
Auburn
43%
Sutton
45%
State
41%
ELA by year
YearAuburnSuttonState
202641%41%41%
202545%45%43%
202448%41%42%
202350%47%44%
202248%47%43%
202154%58%49%
Math by year
YearAuburnSuttonState
202643%45%41%
202541%45%41%
202447%47%42%
202349%47%42%
202247%44%40%
202144%36%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 SATSutton ahead
Auburn
1105
Sutton
1145
MA avg
1113
AP exams scored 3+Sutton ahead
Auburn
65%
Sutton
76.7%
MA avg
69.1%
Four-year graduation rateSutton ahead
Auburn
92.6%
Sutton
98.9%
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 Sutton
Auburn
17
Sutton
18.5
MA avg
17.3
Attendance rateAbout the same
Auburn
94.5%
Sutton
94.7%
MA avg
93.7%
Chronically absentmissed 10%+ of daysLower in Sutton
Auburn
12.6%
Sutton
11.6%
MA avg
16.9%
Teachers who stayedfrom last yearAbout the same
Auburn
89.1%
Sutton
88.5%
MA avg
84.7%
Spending per studentHigher in Sutton
Auburn
$17,782
Sutton
$19,681
MA median
$21,765
Average teacher salaryHigher in Sutton
Auburn
$86,267
Sutton
$91,128
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

AuburnSutton
Students in classes2,5081,306
English learners4.3%2.6%
Students with disabilities15.5%17.6%
White73.4%84.2%
Asian5.1%3%
Hispanic/Latino13.8%6.6%
Black/African American5.1%2.2%
Multi-race2.2%4%

Homes & taxes

Average single-family home valueHigher in Sutton
Auburn
$443K
Sutton
$627K
MA median
$588K
Average property tax billHigher in Sutton
Auburn
$6,307
Sutton
$7,247
MA median
$6,814
Auburn
Worcester County · Central Massachusetts
Avg single-family home value$443KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$6,307MA median $6,814
Tax rate$14.20 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$43,486MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school95.2%
Town bond ratingAA+
Free cash reserves14.9% of budget
Sutton
Worcester County · Central Massachusetts
Avg single-family home value$627KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$7,247MA median $6,814
Tax rate$11.60 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$67,159MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school90.2%
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

Auburn
High schools · rank of 335
Auburn Senior HighSAT 1105#149 B-
Elementary schools · rank of 895
Swanson Road Intermediate School#387 B-
Sutton
High schools · rank of 335
Sutton High SchoolSAT 1145#93 B
Elementary schools · rank of 895
Sutton Elementary#516 C+