Youth And Education
Economically Disadvantaged Students
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Created with Highcharts 6.1.3Chart context menuEconomically Disadvantaged StudentsWorcester CountyMassachusetts20142015201620172018201920202021202220230%10%20%30%40%50%

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education

What does this measure?

The share of elementary and secondary students who are economically disadvantaged. Economic disadvantage is based on a student's participation in social safety net programs.

Why is this important?

This measure not only shows the proportion of students and families with low incomes in an area, it is also an indication of the potential challenges facing schools as they work to educate children who have fewer resources.

How is our county performing?

In 2023, 43% of students in Worcester County were economically disadvantaged, similar to the statewide rate of 42%. Worcester County's rate has increased from 36% in 2013, rising at a similar rate to the state.

Economically disadvantaged students made up more than 25% of the student bodies in nearly all (46) of the 50 districts and charter schools in Worcester County with data in 2023; 14 districts had rates of 50% or more.

The Southbridge School District had the highest share of economically disadvantaged students at 84%, followed by Seven Hills Charter Public at 79% and Fitchburg School District at 74%. The Massachusetts Academy for Math and Sciences had the lowest share at 2% followed by the Southborough and Harvard School Districts, with 8% each.

Notes about the data

Data is from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Students are considered economically disadvantaged if they participate in one or more of the following state-administered programs: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); Transitional Assistance for Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC); Department of Children and Families' (DCF) foster care program; and MassHealth (Medicaid). It is important to note that a lower share of students is identified as economically disadvantaged under this measure than was identified under the previously used free or reduced-price lunch measure. National data is not available for this measure.

Economically Disadvantaged Students

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education




Number of Economically Disadvantaged Students

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education












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