Test expectations: How many Holyoke Public Schools District students failed to meet the Science MCAS expectations in 2023-24 school year?

Patrick Tutwiler Massachusetts Secretary of Education | https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/bcnews/nation-world-society/education/lynch-school-graduate-named-mass-education-secretary.html

By Springfield City Wire

Oct 21, 2025

Of the 961 students who took part in the Science portion of the MCAS, 91.1% scored below proficiency in the 2023-24 school year, according to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

In comparison, 8.9% met the subject benchmarks and none exceeded them.

The number of Holyoke Public Schools District students who failed their Science assessments fell by 1.1% from the previous school year.

Holyoke Public Schools District roughly covers schools within Hampden County and has a main office in Holyoke.

In the 2023-24 school year, 199,813 students took the Science test in Massachusetts with 55.6% failing the exam, 2.8% less than the year before.

Massachusetts spends more money on K-12 education per pupil than most other states, ranking fifth in the nation, according to a 2025 report. The state allocates over $24,000 per pupil, totaling $22.5 billion annually.

Holyoke Public Schools' Students Proficiency in Science Over 5 Years

Holyoke Public Schools District Students who Didn’t Meet Academic Standards in Science During 2023-24 School Year

School Name	Students who did not meet standards (%)
E. N. White Elementary School	91.1%
H. B. Lawrence School	96.8%
Holyoke High School	86.8%
Holyoke STEM Academy	96.4%
Joseph Metcalf School	98.5%
Kelly Elementary School	94.8%
Lt. Clayre Sullivan Elementary School	91%
Lt. Elmer J. McMahon Elementary School	82.1%
Maurice A. Donahue Elementary School	90.5%
Morgan Full Service Community School	92.9%