The top reported proficiency rate is 24% in Social studies. The lowest is 19% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Mohawk Trail Regional School
Mohawk Trail Regional School serves students from seventh through twelfth grade and is the secondary campus for the Mohawk Trail Regional School District, which draws from the small rural towns of western Franklin County. The school itself is a regular public school, and its campus sits outside the village center of Shelburne Falls, a compact historic village that straddles the towns of Shelburne and Buckland along the Deerfield River. The village’s downtown functions as a cultural and commercial hub for the surrounding rural area, with galleries, studios, eateries, and attractions like the Bridge of Flowers and the Trolley Museum. The housing market in the area shows a mix of older homes in a walkable historic district and rural properties beyond the village, with a median listing price that is below the state average but on par with much of Franklin County.
The school’s enrollment is small, and the student body is predominantly white, with a small share of Hispanic students and a very small share of Asian, Black, and multiracial students. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, the share of students with an individualized education plan, and the share of English learners were not available in the record we reviewed. A parent may want to follow up with the school directly on these topics, as they can shape the kind of support a student receives.
State testing results for the most recent year show proficiency rates that are below the county median, placing the school in the bottom quartile among Franklin County districts. In math, roughly one in five students scored proficient or above. In English language arts, the rate was similar. In science, about one in five students reached that bar, and in eighth-grade social studies, roughly one in four did. Participation rates on the tests were high, which means these results reflect nearly all enrolled students in the tested grades. Looking at the trend over time, the school’s proficiency rates have been declining from higher levels in the years before the pandemic. In English language arts, proficiency stood near the middle of the range in the years prior to 2020; by the most recent two years, it had fallen. In math, the same pattern holds, with the current rate lower than the pre-pandemic high. These trends are worth a conversation with the school for a parent trying to understand what academic support and improvement efforts are in place.
The school serves only grades seven through twelve, so there are no state testing results for elementary grades because those grades are not tested there. Similarly, no graduation rate was available in the data we reviewed, which may reflect the grade span and the school’s reporting. A parent should ask the school directly for its graduation rate and postsecondary outcomes, as those are important measures for a secondary school.
The district has undergone notable changes recently. In 2022, it closed Sanderson Academy in Ashfield and moved those students to Buckland-Shelburne Elementary, a consolidation driven by declining enrollment and budget pressures. In 2023, voters in member towns approved a capital projects debt exclusion to fund roof replacements and HVAC upgrades at the regional school and the elementary school, which temporarily raised property taxes. A regional school district planning committee formed in 2024 to study long-term options including potential mergers with neighboring districts, as enrollment has declined over the past decade. These shifts mean the district is actively reshaping its footprint, and families should expect ongoing discussion about school configuration and finances.
For a family considering this school, the picture is one of a small, rural secondary school in a community that values its historic character and local arts scene. The academic performance data suggests the school is facing challenges in proficiency that are more pronounced than in many neighboring districts. The district itself is in a period of consolidation and planning, which could mean further changes to the schools a family’s children will attend. A parent may want to visit the school, talk to current families, and ask about academic programming, student support services, and the district’s long-range plans before making a decision.
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