- Center Elementary School — 0.9 mi · Grades K–4 · 480 students
- South Row — 1.4 mi · Grades K–4 · 464 students
- Community Education Center — 1.6 mi · Grades PK–PK · 158 students
- Byam School — 1.9 mi · Grades K–4 · 510 students
- McCarthy Middle School — 2.0 mi · Grades 7–8 · 808 students
- Chelmsford High — 2.4 mi · Grades 9–12 · 1,402 students
- Col Moses Parker School — 2.4 mi · Grades 5–6 · 778 students
- Charles D Harrington — 2.5 mi · Grades K–4 · 468 students
| Metric | Chelmsford School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 5,114 | 3,544 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 8 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $20,029/yr | $17,619/yr | ↑ 14% above avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 8/10 — Good | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chelmsford School District (this district) | 8/10 | 71st | 5,114 |
| Lowell School District | 2/10 | 19th | 14,228 |
| Billerica School District | 6/10 | 52nd | 4,882 |
| Carlisle School District | 10/10 | 99th | 606 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 287 rated districts in MA → 71st percentile → 8/10.
Source: Massachusetts DESE MCAS, grades 3–8 Meeting/Exceeding Expectations, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Chelmsford School District
Chelmsford School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 01824 in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. Serving students from Pre-K – 12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 01824. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 8/10 Rating
Chelmsford School District has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 8/10, placing it in the above average tier. 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.
Chelmsford School District earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Massachusetts. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 01824
Children in zip code 01824 are assigned to Chelmsford School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 01824, 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 Chelmsford School District at (978)251-5100 or visit www.chelmsford.k12.ma.us. Typical enrollment documents include proof of residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. 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 Chelmsford
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because Chelmsford School District serves zip code 01824, homes in and around zip code 01824 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. 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 Chelmsford 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 01824.
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 and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Chelmsford School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 01824 data.