The top reported proficiency rate is 18% in English language arts. The lowest is 11% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Stem Middle Academy
STEM Middle Academy serves sixth through eighth graders in Springfield, Massachusetts, as a regular public school within the Springfield district. The school’s name signals a focus on science, technology, engineering, and math, though the available data does not describe specific STEM programming or course access. For families considering this school, the academic results and peer environment are the clearest features to weigh.
On the 2024-25 NextGen MCAS assessments, the proportion of students scoring proficient or above was well below the midpoint among Hampden County districts, placing the school in the bottom quartile for overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades. In math, just over a tenth of students reached proficiency. In English language arts, the share was about one in six. In science, roughly one in nine students met the bar, and in eighth-grade social studies, about one in eight. Participation was complete, so these results reflect nearly every enrolled student. The trend data show that proficiency rates have been on a downward path over the past several years, with ELA declining from roughly a third of students proficient in 2016-17 to the current low levels, and math following a similar slide. A parent looking at these numbers will see a school where a small minority of students are meeting state standards, and where the trajectory has not been improving.
The student body is predominantly Hispanic, making up the large majority of enrollment. White students account for about a tenth, Black students a slightly smaller share, and Asian and multiracial students each a small share. Data on economic disadvantage, special education, and English learner status were not available. For a family concerned about peer demographics or the support structures in place for diverse learners, this gap in information is worth raising directly with the school.
Springfield is the largest city in western Massachusetts, a dense urban center with a mix of Victorian-era housing, a downtown revitalized by a major casino and transit investments, and cultural anchors like the Basketball Hall of Fame and the Springfield Armory. The city has seen economic recovery after mid-century decline and a devastating tornado. Housing values in the area are moderate relative to the state benchmark, and the market is competitive. The district itself did not show recent publicly reported changes or initiatives that would alter a family’s assessment of this middle school.
As a middle school, STEM Middle Academy does not have a graduation rate, and no information was provided about after-school programs, athletics, arts, or advanced coursework. The school’s regular public school status with no charter or magnet designation means it draws from its neighborhood attendance zone, though specific boundary details are not in the data. The school size is modest for a middle school, with a total enrollment that spreads across three grades.
For a parent or resident, this school presents a straightforward profile: it serves a largely Hispanic student population in an urban district, and its state test results are low compared to other schools in the county, with a multiyear decline that may warrant a conversation with administrators about academic support and improvement efforts. Families who prioritize a STEM-themed environment may find the school’s name appealing but should verify what that focus actually looks like in practice, since the test results do not show strong math or science outcomes. The missing information on programs, discipline, staffing, and special populations means a thorough visit and inquiry with the school is essential before making a decision.
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