- Swift River — Grades PK–6 · 134 students
| Metric | New Salem-Wendell School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 132 | 3,700 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 1 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $20,400/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 2/10 — Poor | — | Below average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Salem-Wendell School District (this district) | 2/10 | 16th | 132 |
| Gill-Montague School District | 1/10 | 8th | 874 |
| Florida School District | 2/10 | 11th | 92 |
| Pioneer Valley School District | 3/10 | 25th | 663 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 287 rated districts in MA → 16th percentile → 2/10.
Source: Massachusetts DESE MCAS, grades 3–8 Meeting/Exceeding Expectations, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About New Salem-Wendell School District
New Salem-Wendell School District serves zip code 01355, covering New Salem-Wendell, Massachusetts with grades Pre-K – 6th. Whether you’re researching a move, evaluating a home purchase, or preparing to enroll a child, the sections below give you a complete picture of this district’s resources, size, and what its rating means for your family.
Funding and Resources
Public school districts in Massachusetts spend approximately $20,400 per student per year on average (state-level estimate; district-level figures vary), well above the national average (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Districts at this funding level typically offer smaller class sizes, broader elective and extracurricular programs, stronger technology infrastructure, and more competitive teacher salaries. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
With 1 schools serving approximately 132 students across grades Pre-K – 6th, New Salem-Wendell School District is a small district. Contact New Salem-Wendell School District to learn about available programs and services.
Understanding the 2/10 Rating
With a rating of 2/10 (poor), New Salem-Wendell School District ranks among Massachusetts’s below-average-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Massachusetts’ MCAS grades 3–8 assessments (2024–25 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Massachusetts is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
New Salem-Wendell School District falls near the middle of Massachusetts on state assessment results, with reading and math proficiency close to the state median. Average-rated districts provide foundational public education, and many families find they deliver solid day-to-day learning — particularly when parents stay engaged. If you're considering this area, look beyond the overall rating: visit schools, talk to current parents, and research the specific school your child would attend. Average districts often have individual schools that significantly outperform the district mean.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 01355
Children in zip code 01355 are assigned to New Salem-Wendell School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 6th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 01355, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact New Salem-Wendell School District at (413)423-3337 or visit www.union28.org. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Massachusetts districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in New Salem-Wendell
For families considering a purchase in the New Salem-Wendell area, district assignment matters financially. Because New Salem-Wendell School District serves zip code 01355, district assignment still factors into home-pricing comparisons between zip code 01355 and neighboring areas. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Massachusetts, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support New Salem-Wendell School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 01355.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with New Salem-Wendell School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 01355 data.