The top reported proficiency rate is 41% in Science. The lowest is 31% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Roberta G. Doering School
Roberta G. Doering School serves only fifth and sixth graders in Agawam, Massachusetts, a suburban community across the Connecticut River from Springfield. The school is a regular public intermediate school in the Agawam district, and its grade span means it functions as a transition between elementary school and the upper grades. The town describes itself as having a rural atmosphere with affordable homes, a low tax rate, and safe neighborhoods, and it includes the Feeding Hills subsection. Housing values in the area are well below the statewide median, consistent with the town's modest suburban character. Owner-occupied housing is common, and Six Flags New England is a notable commercial landmark.
Doering's student body is predominantly white, with a smaller Hispanic population and very small shares of Asian, Black, and multiracial students. The school enrolls a substantial number of students, more than some elementary schools but fewer than a typical high school, given its narrow two-grade structure. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, receive special education services, or are English learners was not available in the state-reported data, which leaves a gap for families trying to understand the school's socioeconomic and support profile.
On the most recent state assessments, Doering's overall proficiency across tested subjects placed it above the midpoint among districts in Hampden County. That broad measure, which averages proficiency rates in math, English language arts, and science, positions the school in the upper half of the county's twenty-five districts. However, the individual subject scores paint a more mixed picture. In math, about one in three students scored at the proficient level or above. In English language arts, the rate was similar, also around one in three. In science, proficiency was higher, with roughly two in five students reaching that bar. These results suggest that while the school is not struggling relative to its county peers, the majority of its students are not meeting the state's proficiency benchmarks in math and reading, a pattern a parent may want to explore further with the school.
Looking at multi-year trends, Doering's math and English scores have declined from earlier levels. In the years before the pandemic, between roughly half and three-fifths of students were proficient in math and around half were proficient in English. After the pandemic, those rates fell and have not recovered. The most recent years show math holding steady at about one in three and English at about the same level. The downward shift is visible and sustained, though the school has not seen further sharp drops in the last two years.
Because Doering does not serve high school grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and the school does not offer Advanced Placement, career pathways, or dual-credit courses. The district, Agawam, has a publicly reported plan for a major high school construction or renovation project that was expected to begin in late 2024. That project is likely to increase local property taxes, which is worth noting for any family considering a move to the area.
The school building is housed on Main Street in Agawam, in a setting that is car-dependent and suburban rather than walkable. Commute times for residents are typical of a bedroom community. The town has a bike path, a state park, and access to the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail. Population growth has been very slow, and the housing market remains more affordable than much of Massachusetts.
For a family trying to get a feel for Doering, the picture is of a typical intermediate school in a lower-cost suburban district. The school's academic performance is in the middle of the county pack, but the raw proficiency rates are modest and have not rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. The lack of data on student poverty and special education makes it harder to assess the school's context or the level of support students may need. The district's coming high school investment signals a long-term commitment to facilities, though it comes with a tax cost. Families who value a small grade band may find the two-year intermediate structure appealing, while those looking for high school-level course access or robust data on student subgroups will need to look further.
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