Hadley, MA - District Data

Original Research by School Decision on Hadley

Hadley is a small, single-district system in Hampshire County, serving children from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade in two schools: Hadley Elementary and Hopkins Academy. With a total enrollment around five hundred students, the district is one of the smaller public systems in its county. The community itself sits in western Massachusetts, adjacent to the much larger college town of Amherst, and the district’s housing market reflects that regional pressure: home values are roughly in line with national norms but below the Massachusetts state benchmark, and the median home price in Hadley proper is notably lower than in neighboring Amherst. Renters face a tight market, with rental costs taking a substantial share of median household income. The district’s location in the Pioneer Valley puts families within reach of the employment and cultural anchors of Amherst, Northampton, and the University of Massachusetts.

Academically, Hadley turns in a mixed picture on state assessments. Overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades lands above the midpoint among Hampshire County’s districts, a solid but not top-tier position. In English language arts, about half of students in grades three through eight scored proficient or higher on the NextGen MCAS, a rate that is broadly in line with the district’s overall profile. Math proficiency for the same grades was lower, with under half of students meeting the bar. This spread between ELA and math is a pattern a parent may want to explore further with the school to understand where supports are concentrated. Science proficiency in grades five and eight was somewhat stronger, with over half of tested students reaching proficiency, and eighth-grade social studies results were similar. Because the district is small, these percentages represent modest numbers of students, and year-to-year swings can be large. The state data carries a flag noting a change in the cut scores for social studies, which means results from prior years are not directly comparable.

The district’s chronic absenteeism rate sits in the top quartile among Hampshire County’s districts, meaning it is relatively low, a positive sign for consistent attendance. A graduation rate was not available in the data, so it is not possible to assess that measure for Hopkins Academy. Per-pupil spending is in the middle range, upper half, of the county’s districts, suggesting resources are near the median for the area.

Student demographics show a predominantly white population, with about three-quarters of students identifying as white. The next largest groups are Hispanic and Asian students, each making up a modest share, followed by small numbers of Black, multiracial, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaska Native students. Data on free or reduced-price meal eligibility, special education identification, and English learner status were not reported, which limits a full picture of the district’s economic and support needs. A parent interested in those supports would need to ask the district directly.

The district’s academic performance and demographic profile place Hadley in a specific niche: a small-town system with a manageable enrollment, decent but uneven test results, and a relatively affordable housing market compared to the immediate college towns. Families who value the intimacy of a single-district community with a single elementary school and a single secondary school may find the scale appealing. Those seeking a wider array of course offerings, more socioeconomic diversity, or top-tier test scores may find the district’s range limited. The state testing data shows a district that is performing in the middle to upper-middle band of its county, with room for improvement particularly in math.

A search for recent district-level changes or initiatives turned up little of lasting impact to report. The district’s website and public materials did not surface major bond overrides, new program launches, or leadership transitions that would be important for a parent to know. That does not mean the district is static; it means the available public record does not highlight a recent shift. A family considering Hadley would want to visit the schools, talk to current parents, and ask directly about how the district addresses the math proficiency gap and what support services are available for students who need them.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

503

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 11%

Black 4%

White 76%

Asian 5%

Two+ 3%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 1%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

20%

61%

Gr 4

73%

Gr 5

27%

41%

Gr 6

41%

77%

Gr 7

—

55%

Gr 8

36%

62%

Gr 38

27%

63%

Math

Gr 3

10%

64%

Gr 4

25%

64%

Gr 5

29%

53%

Gr 6

29%

73%

Gr 7

—

45%

Gr 8

14%

45%

Gr 38

21%

58%

Science

Gr 5

33%

71%

Gr 8

36%

69%

Gr 38

34%

70%

Social studies

Gr 8

36%

66%

Schools in this District

2 schools are officially reported under this district.

Hopkins Academy

Hadley Elementary

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

1 grade reported

46%

Grades 3-8

English Language Arts

1 grade reported

51%

Grades 3-8

Science

1 grade reported

56%

Grades 3-8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

56%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$516,722

Year-over-year change-0.6%

Range across 2 ZIP codes$517K to $535K

vs. state typical0.78x

vs. national typical1.40x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (2 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
01035	Hadley	$517K	-0.6%	100.0%
01002	Amherst	$535K	+0.3%	0.0%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$2,565/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (1 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
01002	Amherst	$2,565	+5.1%	0.0%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$2,607/mo

Home price / national median income6.2x

Annual rent / national median income36.8%

Est. mortgage exceeds rent by$42/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$661,755 (+1.5% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.