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

Central Berkshire vs Pittsfield Schools

How the two districts, about 10 miles apart, compare on test scores, high school results, classrooms, spending and housing.

Central Berkshire
#130 of 328 districts
B
Serves Becket, Cummington, Dalton, Hinsdale, Peru, Washington and Windsor
1 high school · 3 elementary schools
Full district profile →
vs
Pittsfield
#191 of 328 districts
C+
Serves Pittsfield
2 high schools · 8 elementary schools
Full district profile →

The short answer

  • Overall: Central Berkshire ranks higher, #130 to Pittsfield's #191 of 328 Massachusetts districts.
  • MCAS 2026: Central Berkshire students score higher: ELA 45% vs 26%, Math 44% vs 21% met expectations. Statewide: 41% and 41%.
  • SAT: Central Berkshire averages 56 points higher (1110 vs 1054).
  • Spending: Pittsfield spends $2,828 more per student ($22,661 vs $19,833).
  • Homes: Homes cost more in Central Berkshire: single-family homes average $355K vs $315K. The average tax bill is $4,481 in Central Berkshire and $5,518 in Pittsfield.

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 ArtsCentral Berkshire ahead
Central Berkshire
45%
Pittsfield
26%
State
41%
MathCentral Berkshire ahead
Central Berkshire
44%
Pittsfield
21%
State
41%
ELA by year
YearCentral BerkshirePittsfieldState
202645%26%41%
202547%30%43%
202443%28%42%
202345%31%45%
202247%30%44%
202147%34%49%
Math by year
YearCentral BerkshirePittsfieldState
202644%21%41%
202544%24%41%
202442%23%42%
202339%24%42%
202239%23%41%
202132%19%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 SATCentral Berkshire ahead
Central Berkshire
1110
Pittsfield
1054
MA avg
1113
AP exams scored 3+Central Berkshire ahead
Central Berkshire
63.5%
Pittsfield
54.8%
MA avg
69.1%
Four-year graduation rateCentral Berkshire ahead
Central Berkshire
93.2%
Pittsfield
82.6%
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 Central Berkshire
Central Berkshire
16.7
Pittsfield
14.8
MA avg
17.3
Attendance rateCentral Berkshire ahead
Central Berkshire
94.1%
Pittsfield
88.9%
MA avg
93.7%
Chronically absentmissed 10%+ of daysLower in Central Berkshire
Central Berkshire
16.7%
Pittsfield
38.6%
MA avg
16.9%
Teachers who stayedfrom last yearCentral Berkshire ahead
Central Berkshire
91.9%
Pittsfield
82%
MA avg
84.7%
Spending per studentHigher in Pittsfield
Central Berkshire
$19,833
Pittsfield
$22,661
MA median
$21,765
Average teacher salaryHigher in Central Berkshire
Central Berkshire
$86,371
Pittsfield
$74,111
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

Central BerkshirePittsfield
Students in classes1,5394,866
English learners1%11.6%
Students with disabilities20.3%24.2%
White86.1%50.7%
Asian0.7%1.4%
Hispanic/Latino7.4%23.1%
Black/African American0.8%13.3%
Multi-race4.9%11.1%

Homes & taxes

Average single-family home valueHigher in Central Berkshire
Central Berkshire
$355K
Pittsfield
$315K
MA median
$588K
Average property tax billHigher in Pittsfield
Central Berkshire
$4,481
Pittsfield
$5,518
MA median
$6,814
Becket
Berkshire County · Western Massachusetts
Avg single-family home value$384KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$3,670MA median $6,814
Tax rate$9.60 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$37,726MA median $47,872
Free cash reserves7.9% of budget
Cummington
Hampshire County · Western Massachusetts
Avg single-family home value$366KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$4,575MA median $6,814
Tax rate$12.50 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$79,502MA median $47,872
Dalton
Berkshire County · Western Massachusetts
Avg single-family home value$356KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$6,011MA median $6,814
Tax rate$16.90 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$38,962MA median $47,872
Hinsdale
Berkshire County · Western Massachusetts
Avg single-family home value$412KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$4,375MA median $6,814
Tax rate$10.60 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$43,699MA median $47,872
Free cash reserves7.9% of budget
Peru
Berkshire County · Western Massachusetts
Avg single-family home value$291KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$4,689MA median $6,814
Tax rate$16.10 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$26,519MA median $47,872
Washington
Berkshire County · Western Massachusetts
Avg single-family home value$377KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$5,204MA median $6,814
Tax rate$13.80 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$35,508MA median $47,872
Free cash reserves22.6% of budget
Windsor
Berkshire County · Western Massachusetts
Avg single-family home value$302KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$2,846MA median $6,814
Tax rate$9.40 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$38,398MA median $47,872
Free cash reserves4.9% of budget
Pittsfield
Berkshire County · Western Massachusetts
Avg single-family home value$315KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$5,518MA median $6,814
Tax rate$17.50 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$32,527MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school95.3%
Town bond ratingA+
Free cash reserves4.1% 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

Central Berkshire
High schools · rank of 335
Wahconah Regional HighSAT 1110#187 C+
Elementary schools · rank of 895
Becket Washington School#275 BCraneville#338 BKittredge#405 B-