The top reported proficiency rate is 51% in Science. The lowest is 40% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on George H. Englesby Elementary School
George H. Englesby Elementary School is one of four K-5 public schools in Dracut, a primarily residential suburban town in the Merrimack Valley. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, it is a regular public school and part of the Dracut district, which also includes one middle school and one high school. Englesby operates as a neighborhood school on a separate campus, consistent with Dracut’s dispersed school layout where elementary campuses sit in residential areas rather than a downtown core.
On the Massachusetts Next-Generation MCAS assessments for the most recent school year, Englesby’s overall proficiency rate across the tested subjects and grades placed it below the midpoint among districts in Middlesex County. In English language arts, a little over a third of students scored proficient or above; in math, proficiency was slightly higher, around two-fifths. Science, which is tested only at grade five, showed a somewhat higher share of students reaching proficiency, at about half. The school’s participation rates were high, exceeding ninety-nine percent in each subject.
Trend data show a clear pattern in English language arts: the proficiency rate has declined over time. Roughly a decade ago, it stood near three-fifths; in recent years it has dropped to around two-fifths. Math proficiency has been more stable but low, fluctuating in the upper thirties to mid-forties over the same period. A parent considering Englesby may want to look into these trends further with the school to understand what instructional supports are in place and how the school addresses literacy growth.
In the district’s most recent state accountability report, Englesby was classified as not requiring assistance or intervention, meaning it is in good standing. That is not the case for the district’s only middle school, Richardson Middle School, which was flagged as requiring assistance or intervention in 2025. That designation carries implications for resource allocation and school improvement efforts at the middle school level, something to keep in mind for families who will eventually transition from Englesby.
Enrollment at Englesby is sizable for an elementary school. The student body is majority white, with a substantial Hispanic population, a noticeable Asian share, and smaller Black and multiracial groups. Free or reduced-price lunch data, as well as counts of students with disabilities and English learners, were not reported in the available data, so the economic and special-education profile of the school is not detailed here.
The school is located in Dracut, a car-dependent town of about that size for its region. Housing values and rents in the area are moderate for suburban Massachusetts. The town’s character is residential, with nine designated business districts tied to historic neighborhoods but no dense, walkable commercial core. Public transit is minimal, limited to a single bus line connecting to the Lowell commuter rail station. Former mill buildings have been adaptively reused, and the town uses the Community Preservation Act to preserve open space and historic resources.
No information was available about special programs, course access, staffing ratios, or discipline at Englesby. That means a parent reading about the school will want to ask directly about class sizes, enrichment offerings, and support services.
Englesby is a straightforward neighborhood elementary school in a suburban district. Its academic performance is below the middle of the pack among schools in Middlesex County, and the downward trend in English language arts is worth noting. Families who value a traditional elementary experience in a residential setting, and who are prepared to engage with the school around its academic direction, may find it a reasonable fit. Those seeking higher test performance or a school with strong upward momentum may want to compare Englesby with other elementary options in the area.
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