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

Gloucester vs Rockport Schools

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

The short answer

  • Overall: Rockport ranks higher, #104 to Gloucester's #228 of 328 Massachusetts districts.
  • MCAS 2026: Rockport students score higher: ELA 39% vs 34%, Math 36% vs 31% met expectations. Statewide: 41% and 41%.
  • SAT: Close: Gloucester averages 1150 and Rockport 1145.
  • Spending: Rockport spends $7,112 more per student ($30,152 vs $23,039).
  • Homes: Similar: single-family homes average $1.02M in Gloucester and $1.01M in Rockport. The average tax bill is $9,502 in Gloucester and $8,548 in Rockport.

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 ArtsRockport ahead
Gloucester
34%
Rockport
39%
State
41%
MathRockport ahead
Gloucester
31%
Rockport
36%
State
41%
ELA by year
YearGloucesterRockportState
202634%39%41%
202534%49%43%
202433%49%42%
202339%53%44%
202238%47%44%
202146%51%48%
Math by year
YearGloucesterRockportState
202631%36%41%
202531%44%41%
202431%39%42%
202334%43%42%
202235%39%41%
202133%32%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
Gloucester
1150
Rockport
1145
MA avg
1113
AP exams scored 3+Rockport ahead
Gloucester
68.6%
Rockport
72.5%
MA avg
69.1%
Four-year graduation rateRockport ahead
Gloucester
89.1%
Rockport
95.6%
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 Gloucester
Gloucester
17.5
Rockport
16.1
MA avg
17.3
Attendance rateRockport ahead
Gloucester
91.7%
Rockport
93.8%
MA avg
93.7%
Chronically absentmissed 10%+ of daysLower in Rockport
Gloucester
27.5%
Rockport
16.7%
MA avg
16.9%
Teachers who stayedfrom last yearAbout the same
Gloucester
88.1%
Rockport
87.4%
MA avg
84.7%
Spending per studentHigher in Rockport
Gloucester
$23,039
Rockport
$30,152
MA median
$21,765
Average teacher salaryHigher in Rockport
Gloucester
$86,417
Rockport
$91,446
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

GloucesterRockport
Students in classes2,873640
English learners10.6%1.1%
Students with disabilities26.4%21.7%
White74%89.2%
Asian1.5%1.4%
Hispanic/Latino17.5%4.8%
Black/African American2.4%1.1%
Multi-race4.2%3.2%

Homes & taxes

Average single-family home valueHigher in Gloucester
Gloucester
$1.02M
Rockport
$1.01M
MA median
$588K
Average property tax billHigher in Gloucester
Gloucester
$9,502
Rockport
$8,548
MA median
$6,814
Gloucester
Essex County · North Shore & Merrimack Valley
Avg single-family home value$1.02MMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$9,502MA median $6,814
Tax rate$9.30 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$53,233MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school95.1%
Town bond ratingAA
Free cash reserves2.8% of budget
Rockport
Essex County · North Shore & Merrimack Valley
Avg single-family home value$1.01MMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$8,548MA median $6,814
Tax rate$8.50 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$77,404MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school90%
Town bond ratingAA+
Free cash reserves7% 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

Rockport
High schools · rank of 335
Rockport Middle HighSAT 1145#116 B
Elementary schools · rank of 895
Rockport Elementary#358 B