C−
Ralph C. Mahar School District
Public school districtGrades 7–12Regional · 4 towns
Serves Orange, Petersham, New Salem and Wendell.
Students
509
Schools
1
Spent per student
$30,875
MA $26,530
Students per teacher
9:1
Debt
$0.4M
fiscal 2024
What stands out about Ralph C. Mahar School District
- School Grade C−: better than 19% of Massachusetts districts
- Math proficiency 12 pts below the state
- Reading / language arts 14 pts below the state
- Graduation rate (4-year) 7 pts below the state
- Spends 16% more per student than the MA average
- 9 students per teacher
- Enrollment down 17.8% since 2020
- Debt of $0.4M, about $688 per student
Where would my kid go?
The school path for Devens.
PK–53 elementary schoolsAyer-Shirley School District
6–82 middle schoolsAyer-Shirley School District
9–122 high schoolsAyer-Shirley School District
Test scores vs. MA
2020–21Math proficiency24%
State average 36%
Reading / language arts35%
State average 48.5%
Graduation rate (4-year)82%
State average 88.8%
Where the money goes
fiscal 2024$30,875 per student · 16% above MA
Spending
Classroom instruction 54%Support & administration 46%
Paid for by
Local (mostly property tax) 45%State 50%Federal 5%
U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances.
Enrollment over time
619’20
557’21
523’22
504’23
509’24
Down 17.8% since 2020.
Students
White 81%Hispanic 11%Two or more races 4%Black 3%Asian <1%American Indian/Alaska Native <1%
Schools in the district
1 public school.
Towns served
Nearby districts
Compare spending and schools next door.
District facts: U.S. Department of Education (NCES directory and district boundaries) and the U.S. Census Bureau school finance survey. Test scores and graduation: EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Neighbor ratings are opinions.