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

Douglas vs Dudley-Charlton Reg Schools

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

The short answer

  • Overall: Douglas ranks higher, #186 to Dudley-Charlton Reg's #206 of 328 Massachusetts districts.
  • MCAS 2026: Douglas students score higher: ELA 39% vs 32%, Math 45% vs 32% met expectations. Statewide: 41% and 41%.
  • SAT: Douglas averages 29 points higher (1117 vs 1088).
  • Spending: Douglas spends $2,121 more per student ($19,694 vs $17,572).
  • Homes: Homes cost more in Douglas: single-family homes average $522K vs $469K. The average tax bill is $6,298 in Douglas and $4,936 in Dudley-Charlton Reg.
  • Class size: Smaller in Douglas: 15.4 students on average vs 18.9.

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 ArtsDouglas ahead
Douglas
39%
Dudley-Charlton Reg
32%
State
41%
MathDouglas ahead
Douglas
45%
Dudley-Charlton Reg
32%
State
41%
ELA by year
YearDouglasDudley-Charlton RegState
202639%32%41%
202544%37%42%
202440%36%41%
202343%42%44%
202245%45%44%
202153%52%49%
Math by year
YearDouglasDudley-Charlton RegState
202645%32%41%
202539%32%41%
202440%34%42%
202337%40%42%
202235%38%40%
202129%34%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 SATDouglas ahead
Douglas
1117
Dudley-Charlton Reg
1088
MA avg
1113
AP exams scored 3+Dudley-Charlton Reg ahead
Douglas
69.9%
Dudley-Charlton Reg
77.1%
MA avg
69.1%
Four-year graduation rateDouglas ahead
Douglas
97.7%
Dudley-Charlton Reg
90.7%
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 Dudley-Charlton Reg
Douglas
15.4
Dudley-Charlton Reg
18.9
MA avg
17.3
Attendance rateAbout the same
Douglas
94%
Dudley-Charlton Reg
94.4%
MA avg
93.7%
Chronically absentmissed 10%+ of daysLower in Douglas
Douglas
11.9%
Dudley-Charlton Reg
13.2%
MA avg
16.9%
Teachers who stayedfrom last yearDudley-Charlton Reg ahead
Douglas
88.3%
Dudley-Charlton Reg
91%
MA avg
84.7%
Spending per studentHigher in Douglas
Douglas
$19,694
Dudley-Charlton Reg
$17,572
MA median
$21,765
Average teacher salaryHigher in Dudley-Charlton Reg
Douglas
$80,255
Dudley-Charlton Reg
$86,012
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

DouglasDudley-Charlton Reg
Students in classes1,1053,496
English learners0.6%3.1%
Students with disabilities18.1%20.5%
White85.9%77%
Asian1.1%0.9%
Hispanic/Latino8.7%14.5%
Black/African American1.3%3.6%
Multi-race3%3.9%

Homes & taxes

Average single-family home valueHigher in Douglas
Douglas
$522K
Dudley-Charlton Reg
$469K
MA median
$588K
Average property tax billHigher in Douglas
Douglas
$6,298
Dudley-Charlton Reg
$4,936
MA median
$6,814
Douglas
Worcester County · Central Massachusetts
Avg single-family home value$522KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$6,298MA median $6,814
Tax rate$12.10 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$46,833MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school88.8%
Free cash reserves8.6% of budget
Charlton
Worcester County · Central Massachusetts
Avg single-family home value$489KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$5,345MA median $6,814
Tax rate$10.90 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$46,950MA median $47,872
Town bond ratingAA+
Free cash reserves6.3% of budget
Dudley
Worcester County · Central Massachusetts
Avg single-family home value$450KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$4,526MA median $6,814
Tax rate$10.10 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$36,085MA median $47,872
Town bond ratingAA
Free cash reserves4.4% 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

Douglas
High schools · rank of 335
Douglas High SchoolSAT 1117#197 C+
Elementary schools · rank of 895
Douglas Elementary School#465 B-
Dudley-Charlton Reg
High schools · rank of 335
Shepherd Hill Regional HighSAT 1088#194 C+
Elementary schools · rank of 895
Dudley Elementary#546 C+Heritage School#547 C+