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

Framingham vs Natick Schools

How the two districts, about 5 miles apart, compare on test scores, high school results, classrooms, spending and housing.

The short answer

  • Overall: Natick ranks higher, #43 to Framingham's #262 of 328 Massachusetts districts.
  • MCAS 2026: Natick students score higher: ELA 61% vs 26%, Math 68% vs 23% met expectations. Statewide: 41% and 41%.
  • SAT: Natick averages 42 points higher (1201 vs 1159).
  • Spending: Framingham spends $3,624 more per student ($25,397 vs $21,772).
  • Homes: Homes cost more in Natick: single-family homes average $938K vs $681K. The average tax bill is $8,061 in Framingham and $11,413 in Natick.
  • Class size: Smaller in Framingham: 14.3 students on average vs 18.1.

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 ArtsNatick ahead
Framingham
26%
Natick
61%
State
41%
MathNatick ahead
Framingham
23%
Natick
68%
State
41%
ELA by year
YearFraminghamNatickState
202626%61%41%
202527%64%42%
202425%63%41%
202330%67%44%
202231%64%43%
202137%67%48%
Math by year
YearFraminghamNatickState
202623%68%41%
202523%65%41%
202423%64%42%
202326%67%42%
202227%65%40%
202126%56%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 SATNatick ahead
Framingham
1159
Natick
1201
MA avg
1113
AP exams scored 3+Natick ahead
Framingham
83.1%
Natick
93%
MA avg
69.1%
Four-year graduation rateNatick ahead
Framingham
78.5%
Natick
97%
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 Natick
Framingham
14.3
Natick
18.1
MA avg
17.3
Attendance rateNatick ahead
Framingham
91.2%
Natick
95.7%
MA avg
93.7%
Chronically absentmissed 10%+ of daysLower in Natick
Framingham
30.5%
Natick
8.7%
MA avg
16.9%
Teachers who stayedfrom last yearNatick ahead
Framingham
81.8%
Natick
90.7%
MA avg
84.7%
Spending per studentHigher in Framingham
Framingham
$25,397
Natick
$21,772
MA median
$21,765
Average teacher salaryHigher in Framingham
Framingham
$101,833
Natick
$100,680
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

FraminghamNatick
Students in classes9,0145,362
English learners34.6%5.4%
Students with disabilities24.2%19.2%
White31.3%67.6%
Asian4%12.2%
Hispanic/Latino53.5%10.6%
Black/African American6.5%2.8%
Multi-race4.6%6.7%

Homes & taxes

Average single-family home valueHigher in Natick
Framingham
$681K
Natick
$938K
MA median
$588K
Average property tax billHigher in Natick
Framingham
$8,061
Natick
$11,413
MA median
$6,814
Framingham
Middlesex County · Greater Boston — I-95 to I-495
Avg single-family home value$681KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$8,061MA median $6,814
Tax rate$11.80 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$44,377MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school97.1%
Town bond ratingAA
Free cash reserves7.2% of budget
Natick
Middlesex County · Greater Boston — I-95 to I-495
Avg single-family home value$938KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$11,413MA median $6,814
Tax rate$12.20 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$78,806MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school94.7%
Town bond ratingAAA
Free cash reserves7.2% 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