The top reported proficiency rate is 5% in English language arts. The lowest is 0% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Charlton Street
Charlton Street is a regular public elementary school in Southbridge, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It does not offer high school grades, so there is no graduation rate, and its grade band means that only a subset of tested grade levels participates in state science assessments. The school is part of the Southbridge district, which has been under state receivership — a fact that shapes the governance context.
State testing results from the most recent school year show that the share of students reaching proficiency in math and English language arts is very small, and in science no students scored at the proficient level, though science testing at this school involves only certain grades. Compared with other districts across Worcester County, the school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects places it in the bottom quartile. Looking back over the past several years, performance has trended downward. In English language arts, proficiency was around a quarter of students in earlier years, then dropped to a smaller fraction by the most recent year. Math followed a similar trajectory, starting at roughly a third and declining to a tiny percentage. A parent considering this school may want to look into the specific supports and instruction being provided, given the consistent decline and very low current results.
Enrollment at Charlton Street is moderate for an elementary school. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a notable share of white students, and smaller numbers of students who identify as Black, Asian, or of two or more races. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals and on students with disabilities or English learner status were not available in this dataset, so families would need to ask the school directly about those dimensions of student need and support.
Southbridge itself is a small city with a mix of residential neighborhoods, a historic downtown, and a legacy as a manufacturing hub. The town’s economy continues to recover from the closure of the American Optical Company, which was once the dominant employer. The population has grown modestly over time, and the community includes a significant Hispanic and Puerto Rican population. Housing in the area is valued below the statewide average, and the market shows a moderate number of listings. The downtown core is walkable, with a town common, library, and some arts and recreation amenities, while outlying areas are more car-dependent. The district recently opened a new middle and high school building and converted one elementary school into a dual-language program, signaling investment in facilities and a different instructional option at another campus.
For a family evaluating Charlton Street, the academic picture is the most pressing consideration. Proficiency rates are far below typical levels in the county, and the downward trend raises questions about what interventions are in place. The district’s state receivership means that operational decisions are made by an appointed receiver rather than a locally elected board, which may limit direct community influence over school policy. Families who value a neighborhood elementary school in a small, economically challenged community with some historic character will find that here, but they should weigh that against the school’s performance record and the broader district’s governance status. Given the sparse data on student support programs, a direct visit and conversation with school staff would be a practical next step.
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