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

Hamilton-Wenham vs Masconomet Schools

How the two districts, about 7 miles apart, compare on test scores, high school results, classrooms, spending and housing.

Hamilton-Wenham
#47 of 328 districts
A-
Serves Hamilton and Wenham
1 high school · 3 elementary schools
Full district profile →
vs
Masconomet
#71 of 328 districts
B+
Serves Boxford, Middleton and Topsfield
1 high school · 3 elementary schools
Full district profile →

The short answer

  • Overall: Hamilton-Wenham ranks higher, #47 to Masconomet's #71 of 328 Massachusetts districts.
  • MCAS 2026: Hamilton-Wenham students score higher: ELA 64% vs 51%, Math 67% vs 51% met expectations. Statewide: 41% and 41%.
  • SAT: Hamilton-Wenham averages 50 points higher (1221 vs 1171).
  • Spending: Masconomet spends $2,886 more per student ($27,426 vs $24,540).
  • Homes: Similar: single-family homes average $941K in Hamilton-Wenham and $968K in Masconomet. The average tax bill is $14,629 in Hamilton-Wenham and $13,458 in Masconomet.

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 ArtsHamilton-Wenham ahead
Hamilton-Wenham
64%
Masconomet
51%
State
41%
MathHamilton-Wenham ahead
Hamilton-Wenham
67%
Masconomet
51%
State
41%
ELA by year
YearHamilton-WenhamMasconometState
202664%51%41%
202565%57%43%
202464%57%42%
202366%63%44%
202265%62%44%
202175%64%49%
Math by year
YearHamilton-WenhamMasconometState
202667%51%41%
202563%54%41%
202459%56%42%
202359%60%42%
202260%58%41%
202156%51%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 SATHamilton-Wenham ahead
Hamilton-Wenham
1221
Masconomet
1171
MA avg
1113
AP exams scored 3+Masconomet ahead
Hamilton-Wenham
77.5%
Masconomet
81.7%
MA avg
69.1%
Four-year graduation rateAbout the same
Hamilton-Wenham
97.5%
Masconomet
98%
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 Hamilton-Wenham
Hamilton-Wenham
15.9
Masconomet
15.3
MA avg
17.3
Attendance rateHamilton-Wenham ahead
Hamilton-Wenham
95.8%
Masconomet
93.8%
MA avg
93.7%
Chronically absentmissed 10%+ of daysLower in Hamilton-Wenham
Hamilton-Wenham
5.3%
Masconomet
16.1%
MA avg
16.9%
Teachers who stayedfrom last yearMasconomet ahead
Hamilton-Wenham
85.8%
Masconomet
88.5%
MA avg
84.7%
Spending per studentHigher in Masconomet
Hamilton-Wenham
$24,540
Masconomet
$27,426
MA median
$21,765
Average teacher salaryHigher in Masconomet
Hamilton-Wenham
$93,642
Masconomet
$111,192
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

Hamilton-WenhamMasconomet
Students in classes1,6781,482
English learners0.8%0.4%
Students with disabilities17.4%17.6%
White86.3%86.6%
Asian3.3%2.9%
Hispanic/Latino6.3%5.7%
Black/African American0.8%0.7%
Multi-race3.2%3.8%

Homes & taxes

Average single-family home valueHigher in Masconomet
Hamilton-Wenham
$941K
Masconomet
$968K
MA median
$588K
Average property tax billHigher in Hamilton-Wenham
Hamilton-Wenham
$14,629
Masconomet
$13,458
MA median
$6,814
Hamilton
Essex County · North Shore & Merrimack Valley
Avg single-family home value$871KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$13,093MA median $6,814
Tax rate$15.00 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$98,753MA median $47,872
Town bond ratingAAA
Free cash reserves8.7% of budget
Wenham
Essex County · North Shore & Merrimack Valley
Avg single-family home value$1.01MMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$16,164MA median $6,814
Tax rate$16.00 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$115,093MA median $47,872
Town bond ratingAAA
Free cash reserves6.6% of budget
Boxford
Essex County · North Shore & Merrimack Valley
Avg single-family home value$1.01MMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$13,673MA median $6,814
Tax rate$13.50 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$135,676MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school87.5%
Town bond ratingAAA
Free cash reserves7.5% of budget
Middleton
Essex County · North Shore & Merrimack Valley
Avg single-family home value$971KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$12,219MA median $6,814
Tax rate$12.60 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$78,161MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school89.9%
Town bond ratingAA+
Free cash reserves18.9% of budget
Topsfield
Essex County · North Shore & Merrimack Valley
Avg single-family home value$925KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$14,483MA median $6,814
Tax rate$15.70 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$99,247MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school86.3%
Town bond ratingAAA
Free cash reserves9.9% 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

Hamilton-Wenham
High schools · rank of 335
Hamilton-Wenham Regional HighSAT 1221#44 A-
Elementary schools · rank of 895
Bessie Buker Elementary#58 ACutler School#243 BWinthrop School#244 B