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Lowell School District

GreatSchools Rating: 2 out of 10. GreatSchools Ratings are based on test results. 10 is best.
This district's rating is based on its schools' test results; 10 is best. Learn more >

Learn About This District's:

155 Merrimack Street
Lowell, MA 01852
Middlesex County
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PH: (978) 937-7614
FAX: (978) 446-7436

  • Grades PK-12
  • 13,321 students
  • 22 schools

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 MCAS Results

Scale: % at or above proficient

Grade 3

English Language Arts
 33% (2009)
 32% (2008)
 34% (2007)
 35% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 57% in 2009.

Math
 34% (2009)
 34% (2008)
 31% (2007)
 26% (2006)
The state average for Math was 60% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 4

English Language Arts
 28% (2009)
 22% (2008)
 32% (2007)
 22% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 53% in 2009.

Math
 29% (2009)
 27% (2008)
 25% (2007)
 18% (2006)
The state average for Math was 48% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 5

Science
 19% (2009)
 17% (2008)
 19% (2007)
 24% (2006)
The state average for Science was 49% in 2009.

English Language Arts
 38% (2009)
 34% (2008)
 33% (2007)
 27% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 63% in 2009.

Math
 35% (2009)
 32% (2008)
 27% (2007)
 16% (2006)
The state average for Math was 54% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 6

English Language Arts
 46% (2009)
 45% (2008)
 44% (2007)
 37% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 66% in 2009.

Math
 46% (2009)
 36% (2008)
 33% (2007)
 19% (2006)
The state average for Math was 57% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 7

English Language Arts
 44% (2009)
 47% (2008)
 44% (2007)
The state average for English Language Arts was 70% in 2009.

Math
 30% (2009)
 30% (2008)
 24% (2007)
The state average for Math was 49% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 8

Science
 20% (2009)
 16% (2008)
 18% (2007)
 11% (2006)
The state average for Science was 39% in 2009.

English Language Arts
 63% (2009)
 56% (2008)
 54% (2007)
 49% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 78% in 2009.

Math
 31% (2009)
 29% (2008)
 29% (2007)
 19% (2006)
The state average for Math was 48% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 10

English Language Arts
 67% (2009)
 55% (2008)
 51% (2007)
 51% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 81% in 2009.

Math
 63% (2009)
 52% (2008)
 56% (2007)
 50% (2006)
The state average for Math was 75% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

About the tests

  • In 2008-2009 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5 and 8 in science.
  • The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement.
  • The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts.
  • The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

Testing in Massachusetts: An Overview

See Massachusetts' state standards

Compare all elementary, middle, or high schools in this district

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 MCAS Results by Subgroup

Scale: % at or above proficient

Grade 3
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students33%
Female36%
Male31%
African American26%
Asian30%
Hispanic19%
White46%
Economically disadvantaged25%
Not economically disadvantaged52%
Students with disabilities9%
Limited English proficient21%

MathThis District
All Students34%
Female32%
Male34%
African American20%
Asian36%
Hispanic17%
White43%
Economically disadvantaged26%
Not economically disadvantaged51%
Students with disabilities12%
Limited English proficient25%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 4
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students28%
Female35%
Male20%
African American24%
Asian31%
Hispanic17%
White34%
Economically disadvantaged23%
Not economically disadvantaged41%
Students with disabilities4%
Limited English proficient21%

MathThis District
All Students29%
Female32%
Male25%
African American20%
Asian34%
Hispanic16%
White35%
Economically disadvantaged22%
Not economically disadvantaged43%
Students with disabilities6%
Limited English proficient21%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 5
ScienceThis District
All Students19%
Female16%
Male22%
African American10%
Asian20%
Hispanic7%
White28%
Economically disadvantaged14%
Not economically disadvantaged33%
Students with disabilities5%
Limited English proficient10%

English Language ArtsThis District
All Students38%
Female41%
Male36%
African American33%
Asian40%
Hispanic22%
White47%
Economically disadvantaged32%
Not economically disadvantaged54%
Students with disabilities9%
Limited English proficient26%

MathThis District
All Students35%
Female36%
Male33%
African American20%
Asian41%
Hispanic17%
White44%
Economically disadvantaged30%
Not economically disadvantaged48%
Students with disabilities9%
Limited English proficient27%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 6
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students46%
Female53%
Male39%
African American45%
Asian49%
Hispanic33%
White52%
Economically disadvantaged39%
Not economically disadvantaged65%
Students with disabilities9%
Limited English proficient27%

MathThis District
All Students46%
Female45%
Male48%
African American32%
Asian57%
Hispanic32%
White51%
Economically disadvantaged39%
Not economically disadvantaged63%
Students with disabilities10%
Limited English proficient37%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 7
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students44%
Female50%
Male37%
African American50%
Asian51%
Hispanic29%
White48%
Economically disadvantaged35%
Not economically disadvantaged64%
Students with disabilities6%
Limited English proficient17%

MathThis District
All Students30%
Female29%
Male31%
African American29%
Asian41%
Hispanic17%
White33%
Economically disadvantaged22%
Not economically disadvantaged50%
Students with disabilities4%
Limited English proficient10%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 8
ScienceThis District
All Students20%
Female17%
Male23%
African American16%
Asian18%
Hispanic10%
White26%
Economically disadvantaged13%
Not economically disadvantaged35%
Students with disabilities2%
Limited English proficient6%

English Language ArtsThis District
All Students63%
Female68%
Male58%
African American71%
Asian64%
Hispanic54%
White66%
Economically disadvantaged56%
Not economically disadvantaged79%
Students with disabilities15%
Limited English proficient37%

MathThis District
All Students31%
Female31%
Male32%
African American24%
Asian35%
Hispanic20%
White37%
Economically disadvantaged24%
Not economically disadvantaged49%
Students with disabilities4%
Limited English proficient14%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 10
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students67%
Female70%
Male63%
African American60%
Asian61%
Hispanic53%
White82%
Economically disadvantaged57%
Not economically disadvantaged78%
Students with disabilities19%
Limited English proficient40%

MathThis District
All Students63%
Female62%
Male62%
African American51%
Asian71%
Hispanic37%
White73%
Economically disadvantaged55%
Not economically disadvantaged71%
Students with disabilities17%
Limited English proficient46%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

About the tests

  • In 2008-2009 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5 and 8 in science.
  • The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement.
  • The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts.
  • The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.
  • The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

Testing in Massachusetts: An Overview

See Massachusetts' state standards

Compare all elementary, middle, or high schools in this district

Back to top >
 MCAS STE Results

Scale: % at or above proficient

Biology
 29% (2009)
 4% (2008)
 8% (2007)
The state average for Biology was 61% in 2009.

Introductory Physics
 43% (2009)
 45% (2008)
 27% (2007)
The state average for Introductory Physics was 57% in 2009.

Chemistry
Data not available for this district (2009)
 6% (2008)
 33% (2007)
The state average for Chemistry was 36% in 2009.

Technology/Engineering
Data not available for this district (2009)
Data not available for this district (2008)
Data not available for this district (2007)
The state average for Technology/Engineering was 53% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

About the tests

  • In 2008-2009 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System Science and Technology/Engineering Tests (MCAS STE) to test students in high school in biology, chemistry, introductory physics and technology/engineering.
  • Beginning with the class of 2010, the MCAS STE will be a high school graduation requirement.
  • The MCAS STE is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts.
  • The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

Testing in Massachusetts: An Overview

See Massachusetts' state standards

Back to top >
 MCAS STE Results by Subgroup

Scale: % at or above proficient


BiologyThis District
All Students29%
Female29%
Male28%
African American10%
Asian29%
Hispanic11%
White50%
Economically disadvantaged17%
Not economically disadvantaged48%
Students with disabilities5%
Limited English proficient6%

Introductory PhysicsThis District
All Students43%
Female33%
Male55%
African American41%
Asian42%
Hispanic33%
White50%
Economically disadvantaged37%
Not economically disadvantaged53%
Students with disabilities21%
Limited English proficient25%

ChemistryThis District
Subgroup results not available

Technology/EngineeringThis District
Subgroup results not available
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

About the tests

  • In 2008-2009 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System Science and Technology/Engineering Tests (MCAS STE) to test students in high school in biology, chemistry, introductory physics and technology/engineering.
  • Beginning with the class of 2010, the MCAS STE will be a high school graduation requirement.
  • The MCAS STE is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts.
  • The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.
  • The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

Testing in Massachusetts: An Overview

See Massachusetts' state standards

Back to top >
 Teachers

 
Student-Teacher Ratio
Information about this data
Source: NCES, 2007-2008
 This DistrictState Average
Students per FTE teacher1314
How Important is Class Size? >
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 Students

 
Student Ethnicity
Information about this data
Source: NCES, 2007-2008
EthnicityThis DistrictState Average
White, not Hispanic41%71%
Asian/Pacific Islander29%5%
Hispanic23%14%
Black, not Hispanic6%8%
American Indian/Alaskan Native<1%<1%
How Important is Cultural Diversity at Your School? >
Student Economic Level
Information about this data
Source: NCES, 2007-2008
 This DistrictState Average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program67%29%
The Achievement Gap: Is Your School Helping All Students? >
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 Spending Per Pupil

 
Spending Per Pupil
Information about this data
 This DistrictState Average
Total per pupil expenditures$14,301$13,413
Breakdown By Expenditure  
Instructional64%64%
Student and staff support15%13%
Administration9%8%
Other expenditures13%16%
Source: NCES, 2006-2007
School Finance: Issues to Consider >
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