Worcester, Massachusetts is a city with a population of 185,186. It is a district with 44 schools with a total enrollment of 23,735 students in PK-12. Located in Central Massachusetts, it is known as the "heart of the Commonwealth" (2). Worcester became officially incorporated as a city February 29, 1848 (2). Within the school district there is a 14.2 to 1 student:teacher ratio (3). There are 74 languages spoken throughout the schools, and a 94% overall attendance rate (3). Additionally, there are 24 sports offered throughout the school year (3).
When compared to the state, the Worcester Public School District has 35% more students whose first language is not english than the average of Massachusetts. Additionally there are 17.3% more English Language Learners than the State average. There are 74.3% students in the Worcester district who are low income, and 43.8% in the State total. There are slightly more students with disabilities in Worcester at 21.1% and 18.9% for the state. Finally, there are 28.5% more students with High Needs when compared to the State.
In the Worcester Public School District there are 16.9% African American students (9.3% State), 6.0% Asian students (7.2% State), 44.7% Hispanic (23.1% State), 0.2% Native American (0.2% State), 27.9% White (55.7% State), 0.0% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (0.1% State), and 4.3% Multi-Race or Non-Hispanic (4.3% State).
The overall graduation rate of the Worcester Public School District is 88%. When comparing sex, Females have a 90.8% graduation rate and Males have a 85.4% rate. Students with disabilities have the lowest 4-year graduation rate of 73.1%, with 17.1% of those not graduated remaining in school and 9.8% dropped out. English Language Learners have a 79.2% rate with 11.6 of those not graduating remaining school and 8.9% dropped out. 90.9% of African American students graduate, 96.3% of Asian students, 83.2% of Hispanic or Latinx students, 90% of White students, and 93% of Multi-race or non-Hispanic or Latinx students.
In the District of Worcester Public Schools overall 9% of 10th grade students exceed expectations on the English Language Arts MCAS (State 19%), 33% Meet Expectations (State 45%), 37% Partially Meet Expectations (State 27%), and 20% are Not Meeting Expectations (State 9%)
In the District of Worcester Public Schools overall 4% of 10th grade students exceed expectations on the Math MCAS (State 11%), 24% Meet Expectations (State 41%), 44% Partially Meet Expectations (State 36%), and 27% are Not Meeting Expectations (State 12%).