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

Grafton vs Mendon-Upton Schools

How the two districts, about 8 miles apart, compare on test scores, high school results, classrooms, spending and housing.

The short answer

  • Overall: Grafton ranks higher, #85 to Mendon-Upton's #103 of 328 Massachusetts districts.
  • MCAS 2026: Grafton students score higher: ELA 52% vs 49%, Math 55% vs 51% met expectations. Statewide: 41% and 41%.
  • SAT: Grafton averages 39 points higher (1153 vs 1114).
  • Spending: Mendon-Upton spends $4,164 more per student ($21,376 vs $17,211).
  • Homes: Similar: single-family homes average $664K in Grafton and $666K in Mendon-Upton. The average tax bill is $9,086 in Grafton and $8,770 in Mendon-Upton.
  • Class size: Smaller in Mendon-Upton: 15.9 students on average vs 19.1.

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 ArtsGrafton ahead
Grafton
52%
Mendon-Upton
49%
State
41%
MathGrafton ahead
Grafton
55%
Mendon-Upton
51%
State
41%
ELA by year
YearGraftonMendon-UptonState
202652%49%41%
202554%49%43%
202455%47%42%
202357%48%45%
202254%46%43%
202160%53%49%
Math by year
YearGraftonMendon-UptonState
202655%51%41%
202554%49%41%
202457%49%42%
202355%48%42%
202252%42%40%
202150%35%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 SATGrafton ahead
Grafton
1153
Mendon-Upton
1114
MA avg
1113
AP exams scored 3+Grafton ahead
Grafton
85.1%
Mendon-Upton
80.1%
MA avg
69.1%
Four-year graduation rateAbout the same
Grafton
92.5%
Mendon-Upton
92.4%
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 Grafton
Grafton
19.1
Mendon-Upton
15.9
MA avg
17.3
Attendance rateAbout the same
Grafton
94%
Mendon-Upton
94.9%
MA avg
93.7%
Chronically absentmissed 10%+ of daysLower in Mendon-Upton
Grafton
14.8%
Mendon-Upton
10.7%
MA avg
16.9%
Teachers who stayedfrom last yearGrafton ahead
Grafton
89.9%
Mendon-Upton
88%
MA avg
84.7%
Spending per studentHigher in Mendon-Upton
Grafton
$17,211
Mendon-Upton
$21,376
MA median
$21,765
Average teacher salaryHigher in Mendon-Upton
Grafton
$81,934
Mendon-Upton
$91,256
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

GraftonMendon-Upton
Students in classes3,1612,075
English learners3.4%3.8%
Students with disabilities19.3%15.2%
White67.2%84%
Asian16.1%3.1%
Hispanic/Latino9.6%9.3%
Black/African American3.2%1.5%
Multi-race3.2%1.9%

Homes & taxes

Average single-family home valueHigher in Mendon-Upton
Grafton
$664K
Mendon-Upton
$666K
MA median
$588K
Average property tax billHigher in Grafton
Grafton
$9,086
Mendon-Upton
$8,770
MA median
$6,814
Grafton
Worcester County · Central Massachusetts
Avg single-family home value$664KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$9,086MA median $6,814
Tax rate$13.70 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$66,293MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school92.8%
Town bond ratingAA+
Free cash reserves7.9% of budget
Mendon
Worcester County · Central Massachusetts
Avg single-family home value$662KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$8,781MA median $6,814
Tax rate$13.30 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$73,886MA median $47,872
Town bond ratingAA+
Free cash reserves8.3% of budget
Upton
Worcester County · Central Massachusetts
Avg single-family home value$670KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$8,759MA median $6,814
Tax rate$13.10 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$69,698MA median $47,872
Town bond ratingAA+
Free cash reserves12.6% 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

Mendon-Upton
High schools · rank of 335
Nipmuc Regional HighSAT 1114#90 B
Elementary schools · rank of 895
Memorial School#340 BHenry P Clough#408 B-