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

Dudley-Charlton Reg vs Leicester Schools

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

The short answer

  • Overall: Leicester ranks higher, #183 to Dudley-Charlton Reg's #206 of 328 Massachusetts districts.
  • MCAS 2026: Dudley-Charlton Reg students score higher: ELA 32% vs 28%, Math 32% vs 26% met expectations. Statewide: 40% and 41%.
  • SAT: Close: Dudley-Charlton Reg averages 1088 and Leicester 1090.
  • Spending: Leicester spends $2,892 more per student ($20,465 vs $17,572).
  • Homes: Similar: single-family homes average $469K in Dudley-Charlton Reg and $453K in Leicester. The average tax bill is $4,936 in Dudley-Charlton Reg and $5,026 in Leicester.
  • Class size: Smaller in Leicester: 16.2 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 ArtsDudley-Charlton Reg ahead
Dudley-Charlton Reg
32%
Leicester
28%
State
40%
MathDudley-Charlton Reg ahead
Dudley-Charlton Reg
32%
Leicester
26%
State
41%
ELA by year
YearDudley-Charlton RegLeicesterState
202632%28%40%
202537%30%43%
202436%30%42%
202342%34%44%
202245%36%43%
202152%40%48%
Math by year
YearDudley-Charlton RegLeicesterState
202632%26%41%
202532%26%41%
202434%30%42%
202340%33%42%
202238%33%40%
202134%27%35%

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

High school results

Average SATAbout the same
Dudley-Charlton Reg
1088
Leicester
1090
MA avg
1113
AP exams scored 3+Leicester ahead
Dudley-Charlton Reg
77.1%
Leicester
78.4%
MA avg
69.1%
Four-year graduation rateAbout the same
Dudley-Charlton Reg
90.7%
Leicester
91.1%
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
Dudley-Charlton Reg
18.9
Leicester
16.2
MA avg
17.3
Attendance rateAbout the same
Dudley-Charlton Reg
94.4%
Leicester
93.8%
MA avg
93.7%
Chronically absentmissed 10%+ of daysLower in Dudley-Charlton Reg
Dudley-Charlton Reg
13.2%
Leicester
16.7%
MA avg
16.9%
Teachers who stayedfrom last yearDudley-Charlton Reg ahead
Dudley-Charlton Reg
91%
Leicester
84.8%
MA avg
84.7%
Spending per studentHigher in Leicester
Dudley-Charlton Reg
$17,572
Leicester
$20,465
MA median
$21,765
Average teacher salaryHigher in Dudley-Charlton Reg
Dudley-Charlton Reg
$86,012
Leicester
$76,840
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

Dudley-Charlton RegLeicester
Students in classes3,4961,310
English learners3.1%7.4%
Students with disabilities20.5%20%
White77%65.2%
Asian0.9%3.4%
Hispanic/Latino14.5%19.1%
Black/African American3.6%7.6%
Multi-race3.9%4.2%

Homes & taxes

Average single-family home valueHigher in Dudley-Charlton Reg
Dudley-Charlton Reg
$469K
Leicester
$453K
MA median
$588K
Average property tax billHigher in Leicester
Dudley-Charlton Reg
$4,936
Leicester
$5,026
MA median
$6,814
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
Leicester
Worcester County · Central Massachusetts
Avg single-family home value$453KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$5,026MA median $6,814
Tax rate$11.10 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$39,641MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school93.5%
Town bond ratingAA+
Free cash reserves4.3% 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

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+
Leicester
High schools · rank of 335
Leicester HighSAT 1090#140 B-
Elementary schools · rank of 895
Leicester Elementary#613 C+