The top reported proficiency rate is 39% in Science. The lowest is 26% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Northwest
Northwest is a regular public elementary school in Leominster, Massachusetts, serving children in first through fifth grade. It is one of several elementary schools in the Leominster district, and its size is about what you would expect for a mid-sized elementary school in a mid-sized city. The student body is notably diverse. A substantial share of students identify as Hispanic, making that the largest single group, followed by white students, with smaller shares of Black, Asian, and multiracial students. Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility data was not available in the public record, and neither were counts of students with individualized education plans or English learner status, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about its support for those populations.
Leominster itself has a mixed character. It was historically a plastics-manufacturing hub, and some of that industry remains, but the city has become more commercial and suburban over recent decades, driven by highway access and shopping center development. It is one of Central Massachusetts’ larger retail destinations and attracts commuters to Worcester and Boston due to relatively lower land costs. The downtown area around Monument Square holds community events like an annual festival, and there are recreational lands including a state forest. In terms of housing, home values in the area are moderate relative to the broader Boston region, though they have been rising. The rental market is active, and the typical monthly rent falls below the estimated mortgage payment for a median-priced home, which may matter to families deciding between renting and buying. The county-wide housing market shows a moderate supply of listings and demand that keeps days on market relatively short, suggesting a competitive but not overheated environment.
Academically, Northwest’s state test results from the Massachusetts Next-Generation MCAS are available for the most recent school year in math, English language arts, and science. In both math and ELA, the share of students scoring proficient or above is below the statewide median. Science scores are somewhat higher, though still moderate. Looking at multi-year trends, ELA proficiency has fluctuated within a narrow range over the past several years, never breaking out of that band. Math proficiency saw a sharper dip a few years ago and has since recovered but remains at a level similar to where it was in earlier years. The school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it below the midpoint when compared with other districts in Worcester County. Because Northwest serves only grades one through five, there is no graduation rate to report, and that metric does not apply.
No data was available on course access, discipline, or staffing, and the district brief turned up no recent major changes such as boundary shifts, program launches, or facility investments that would alter the school’s character in a lasting way. That means a family evaluating Northwest should weigh the academic picture as it stands, without anticipating a near-term overhaul.
This is a school where a parent may want to look into the instructional supports and enrichment offerings directly, since the state testing picture suggests that a majority of students are not reaching the proficient level. The diversity of the student body is a plain characteristic, not something to spin as a strength or weakness, but it does mean children here encounter a range of backgrounds. For a family choosing among Leominster’s elementary options, Northwest’s academic profile is a key point to compare with other schools in the district. The housing market around the school reflects the broader Leominster mix of older homes and newer suburban development, and the commute to Worcester or Boston is a realistic possibility for working parents. The absence of program or staffing data means that the decision may rest on a visit and a conversation with the principal about how the school addresses its academic challenges.
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