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

Lunenburg vs North Middlesex Schools

How the two districts, about 6 miles apart, compare on test scores, high school results, classrooms, spending and housing.

The short answer

  • Overall: Lunenburg ranks higher, #120 to North Middlesex's #129 of 328 Massachusetts districts.
  • MCAS 2026: Lunenburg students score higher: ELA 40% vs 37%, Math 47% vs 36% met expectations. Statewide: 41% and 41%.
  • SAT: Lunenburg averages 36 points higher (1133 vs 1097).
  • Spending: North Middlesex spends $2,947 more per student ($20,548 vs $17,601).
  • Homes: Homes cost more in Lunenburg: single-family homes average $517K vs $472K. The average tax bill is $7,444 in Lunenburg and $6,754 in North Middlesex.

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 ArtsLunenburg ahead
Lunenburg
40%
North Middlesex
37%
State
41%
MathLunenburg ahead
Lunenburg
47%
North Middlesex
36%
State
41%
ELA by year
YearLunenburgNorth MiddlesexState
202640%37%41%
202547%42%43%
202443%39%42%
202346%47%44%
202244%48%44%
202154%54%48%
Math by year
YearLunenburgNorth MiddlesexState
202647%36%41%
202547%37%41%
202448%37%42%
202346%37%42%
202242%40%40%
202142%36%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 SATLunenburg ahead
Lunenburg
1133
North Middlesex
1097
MA avg
1113
AP exams scored 3+Lunenburg ahead
Lunenburg
88.3%
North Middlesex
65.8%
MA avg
69.1%
Four-year graduation rateLunenburg ahead
Lunenburg
98.1%
North Middlesex
94.6%
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 North Middlesex
Lunenburg
19.1
North Middlesex
20.7
MA avg
17.3
Attendance rateAbout the same
Lunenburg
94.4%
North Middlesex
93.8%
MA avg
93.7%
Chronically absentmissed 10%+ of daysLower in Lunenburg
Lunenburg
12.6%
North Middlesex
16.1%
MA avg
16.9%
Teachers who stayedfrom last yearNorth Middlesex ahead
Lunenburg
80.2%
North Middlesex
89.3%
MA avg
84.7%
Spending per studentHigher in North Middlesex
Lunenburg
$17,601
North Middlesex
$20,548
MA median
$21,765
Average teacher salaryHigher in Lunenburg
Lunenburg
$98,894
North Middlesex
$83,109
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

LunenburgNorth Middlesex
Students in classes1,5872,917
English learners3.8%3.8%
Students with disabilities17%26.2%
White77.4%79.9%
Asian1.5%2.4%
Hispanic/Latino12.5%10.1%
Black/African American4.2%3.6%
Multi-race3.4%3.7%

Homes & taxes

Average single-family home valueHigher in Lunenburg
Lunenburg
$517K
North Middlesex
$472K
MA median
$588K
Average property tax billHigher in Lunenburg
Lunenburg
$7,444
North Middlesex
$6,754
MA median
$6,814
Lunenburg
Worcester County · Central Massachusetts
Avg single-family home value$517KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$7,444MA median $6,814
Tax rate$14.40 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$47,872MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school92.3%
Town bond ratingAA+
Ashby
Middlesex County · North Shore & Merrimack Valley
Avg single-family home value$395KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$6,225MA median $6,814
Tax rate$15.80 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$40,401MA median $47,872
Free cash reserves6.9% of budget
Pepperell
Middlesex County · North Shore & Merrimack Valley
Avg single-family home value$550KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$7,578MA median $6,814
Tax rate$13.80 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$49,847MA median $47,872
Free cash reserves3.2% of budget
Townsend
Middlesex County · North Shore & Merrimack Valley
Avg single-family home value$470KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$6,459MA median $6,814
Tax rate$13.80 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$42,197MA median $47,872
Free cash reserves2% 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

Lunenburg
High schools · rank of 335
Lunenburg HighSAT 1133#108 B
Elementary schools · rank of 895
Turkey Hill Elementary School#442 B-
North Middlesex
High schools · rank of 335
North Middlesex RegionalSAT 1097#168 B-
Elementary schools · rank of 895
Spaulding Memorial#277 BVarnum Brook#409 B-