Massachusetts public high school

Northampton High School

Northampton school district

A-

overall grade

Ranks #41 of 335 Massachusetts high schools — top 13%.

Overall rank

#41

of 335 schools

Average SAT

1264+173 vs MA

MA average 1091

Graduation rate

94%

MA average 92%

Plan on college

83%+11 vs MA

MA average 72%

SAT is the average total score of test takers. Graduation is the four-year rate. College is the share of graduates who report plans to attend a 2- or 4-year college.

Northampton is a vibrant city in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts, known for its progressive culture, thriving arts scene, and as home to Smith College. The city has long been a hub for liberal politics, LGBTQ+ culture, and independent businesses, earning it the nickname "Paradise City" among locals. With a distinctive downtown filled with restaurants, cafes, and music venues, Northampton blends college-town energy with historic New England charm along the Connecticut River.

How it compares

What stands out

Strongest area: SAT scores, in the top 8% statewide. The average SAT score is 1264, vs 1091 at the typical MA high school.
Area to watch: Graduation rate ranks in the bottom 49% statewide.
Trend: Math MCAS is up 7 points since 2023 (68% to 75%), while statewide it fell 6 points.
Trend: The average SAT score is up 63 points since 2022 (1201 to 1264).

Where it stands among 335 Massachusetts high schools

Bottom of MATop of MA

Overall

Above averagetop 13% · #41

SAT

Excellenttop 8% · #25

ELA MCAS

Above averagetop 15% · #49

Math MCAS

Above averagetop 11% · #35

AP results

Above averagetop 18% · #56

Graduation

Averagebottom 49% · #171

College plans

Averagetop 42% · #136

The overall rank weighs SAT (30%), MCAS (25%), AP results (20%), and graduates' college plans (25%). Categories rank only the schools with data for them. How we rank

SAT

Average total score1264in 2025 · MA avg 1091

173 points above the MA avg

By section (out of 800)

Reading & writingBetter than average

This school

657

MA avg

556

MathBetter than average

This school

607

MA avg

535

183 students took the SAT.

"MA avg" is the average of the 335 high schools we rank. Only students who choose to take the SAT are counted.

MCAS (10th grade)

Share of 10th graders meeting or exceeding expectations. Statewide results dropped after 2024, when passing the MCAS stopped being a graduation requirement. There was no test in 2020.

English Language Arts69%in 2026 · state 45%

24 points above the state

Math75%in 2026 · state 44%

31 points above the state

Biologyhigh school science, 2026Better than average

This school

72%

State

38%

Detailed scores

Average scaled score, ELA · Math · Science (500+ = meeting expectations)507 · 511 · 511

Achievement percentile vs. MA schools (ELA · Math)79th · 87th

Student growth percentile, ELA · Math (50 = typical growth)49 · 64

AP & advanced courses

AP exams scored 3+86%in 2025 · MA avg 66%

20 points above the MA avg

Score breakdown

Score 5: 27%Score 4: 35%Score 3: 24%Score 2: 10%Score 1: 4%

326 students took 673 AP exams. A 3 or higher can earn college credit.

Completed an advanced coursegrades 11–12Better than average

This school

80.4%

MA avg

71.4%

9th graders passing all coursesBetter than average

This school

98.8%

MA avg

82.6%

After high school

Four-year graduation rate94%in 2024 · MA avg 92%

3 points above the MA avg

Dropped outof the four-year classBetter than average

This school

2.4%

MA avg

4.3%

2.4% of the class were still in school after four years.

Plan to attend college83%in 2025 · state 72%

11 points above the state

Graduates' plans · 219 graduates

4-year private college

41.6%

4-year public college

31.5%

Other / unknown

11.4%

2-year public college

9.1%

Work

3.2%

Students

Who attends

White

70.6%

Hispanic/Latino

13.9%

Multi-Race

8.2%

Black/African American

3.7%

Asian

3.5%

49.1% female · 48.7% male · 2.2% nonbinary

Student needs

High needslow income, English learner, or disabilityLower than average

This school

34.5%

MA avg

50.7%

Low incomeLower than average

This school

22.6%

MA avg

39%

English learnersLower than average

This school

2.2%

MA avg

8.6%

Teachers

Licensed teachersAbout average

This school

98.7%

MA avg

95.9%

Experienced teachersBetter than average

This school

86.4%

MA avg

73.4%

Teaching in their fieldAbout average

This school

82.5%

MA avg

84.6%

Students per teacher

14.7MA avg 11.8

59.7 full-time-equivalent teachers

Attendance & safety

Attendance rateBetter than average

This school

93.5%

MA avg

92.3%

Chronically absentmissed 10%+ of daysBetter than average

This school

15.6%

MA avg

22.3%

11.3 days absent per student (MA avg 13.2) · Suspensions: 2.4% out-of-school, 1.7% in-school (MA high school avg 4% / 2.2%)

About Northampton

Hampshire County · Western Massachusetts

Avg single-family home value$571KMA median $588K

Avg property tax bill$7,801MA median $6,814

Tax rate$13.70 per $1,000MA median $12.40

Income per person$44,052MA median $47,872

Local kids in public school90.2%

Town bond ratingAAA

Free cash reserves4.8% of budget

Northampton district profile · What could you afford here? · All towns A–Z

Town figures are FY2026 averages for single-family homes from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Assessed values usually run below recent sale prices. "MA median" is the median of the state's 351 towns.

Similar schools elsewhere

Schools with similar test results, demographics, and college plans.

Maynard High

Maynard

B+

#55 in MASAT 1187Graduation 94%94% match

Ashland High

Ashland

A-

#30 in MASAT 1218Graduation 94%93% match

Sturgis Charter Public School

Sturgis Charter Public

B+

#57 in MASAT 1174Graduation 98%92% match

Grafton High School

Grafton

B+

#62 in MASAT 1153Graduation 93%92% match