Brightwood

Summary:

Brightwood is an elementary school in Springfield, MA that serves grades PK-5 with a student population of 471. The school has consistently low academic performance, ranking among the lowest-performing elementary schools in Massachusetts.

Brightwood's proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Mathematics are well below the state and district averages. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, only 11.06% of Brightwood students were proficient or better in ELA, compared to 19.1% in the Springfield district and 39.17% statewide. Similarly, only 7.18% of Brightwood students were proficient or better in Mathematics, compared to 16.34% in the district and 40.91% statewide. The school's performance is particularly concerning for certain student subgroups, such as English Language Learners and students from low socioeconomic backgrounds.

While Brightwood's performance is consistently poor, some nearby schools within the Springfield district, such as Glenwood and Edward P. Boland, demonstrate significantly higher academic achievement, with proficiency rates closer to the state averages. This suggests that factors beyond just district-level policies and resources may be contributing to the stark differences in student outcomes at Brightwood.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 255 Plainfield Street
       Springfield, MA  01107


(413) 787-7238

District: Springfield

SchoolDigger Rank:
890th of 916 Massachusetts Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $18,469 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  15.1 Help
Number of students:  480

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
87.7%
African American:
7.5%
White:
3.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  91.6% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Brightwood ranks worse than 97.2% of elementary schools in Massachusetts. It also ranks 30th among 32 ranked elementary schools in the Springfield School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 6.72. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (87.7%), African American (7.5%), White (3.8%). (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Brightwood is 15.1, which is the highest among 35 elementary schools in the Springfield School District! (See more...)
Help
Compare Brightwood employs 31.7 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Brightwood is $18,469. 27 elementary schools in the Springfield School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Brightwood:

SchoolDigger ranks Brightwood 890th of 916 Massachusetts public elementary schools. (See Brightwood in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:


Springfield:

SchoolDigger ranks Springfield 328th of 351 Massachusetts school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Brightwood.

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Rank History for Brightwood

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Brightwood

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 2.50 875th 884 1.0%
2004 1.65 880th 882 0.2%
2005 2.37 884th 887 0.3%
2006 6.27 874th 911 4.1%
2007 5.30 874th 911 4.1%
2008 3.45 893rd 908 1.7%
2009 1.65 902nd 909 0.8%
2010 1.22 916th 920 0.4%
2011 2.21 916th 924 0.9%
2012 1.68 922nd 930 0.9%
2013 4.04 904th 928 2.6%
2014 4.85 898th 926 3.0%
2015 7.09 885th 914 3.2%
2016 9.43 869th 932 6.8%
2017 8.48 896th 938 4.5%
2018 9.99 871st 934 6.7%
2019 5.68 914th 942 3.0%
2021 6.12 916th 936 2.1%
2022 8.80 880th 932 5.6%
2023 6.96 895th 928 3.6%
2024 6.72 890th 916 2.8%
See the entire list of Massachusetts Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Brightwood

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 34.34 157th 244 35.7%
2019 20.13 240th 258 7.0%
2021 49.86 72nd 240 70.0%
2022 40.08 141st 267 47.2%
2023 32.31 202nd 264 23.5%
2024 25.43 256th 282 9.2%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Brightwood

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 24.69 753rd 886 15.0%
2019 15.43 848th 896 5.4%
2021 11.42 867th 894 3.0%
2022 16.20 839th 905 7.3%
2023 21.70 615th 703 12.5%
2024 18.80 659th 731 9.8%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Brightwood

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 26.70 573rd 685 16.4%
2019 17.89 645th 700 7.9%
2021 14.73 668th 705 5.2%
2022 18.82 697th 772 9.7%
2023 16.72 701st 757 7.4%
2024 15.85 716th 760 5.8%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Brightwood

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 16.39 790th 893 11.5%
2019 10.24 855th 902 5.2%
2021 4.37 896th 898 0.2%
2022 9.60 858th 901 4.8%
2023 6.81 868th 887 2.1%
2024 9.13 846th 886 4.5%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Brightwood

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 19.90 595th 656 9.3%
2019 16.43 634th 665 4.7%
2021 27.74 470th 632 25.6%
2022 22.30 576th 672 14.3%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Brightwood

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 6.93 872nd 898 2.9%
2019 4.99 892nd 907 1.7%
2021 11.93 825th 904 8.7%
2022 11.54 839th 908 7.6%
2023 9.81 849th 896 5.2%
2024 6.30 876th 891 1.7%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Tested In Person students at Brightwood

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 6.34 908th 925 1.8%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Elementary Schools for Tested In Person Students!

Rank History for Tested Remotely students at Brightwood

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 13.12 381st 399 4.5%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Elementary Schools for Tested Remotely Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Brightwood

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 35.08 261st 379 31.1%
2019 23.12 343rd 398 13.8%
2021 18.19 355th 379 6.3%
2022 32.58 284th 401 29.2%
2023 27.66 337th 420 19.8%
2024 26.63 364th 446 18.4%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Data source: test scores: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Brightwood Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)
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100%

  

Reviews:
by a citizen
Sunday, October 20, 2019

Open Quote I taught here. The majority of the students are very disrespectful and terribly behaved. Their parents are the main reason, being very disrespectful and undereducated. Some are fine, but far too few. The teaching staff is very good, but it is very difficult to work with the majority of the student population. The principal plays favorites, keeps uncertified teacher/friends on staff, and has driven out good teachers because of personal feelings, not on quality of teaching. Sad. The principal should be replaced. Honestly, they couldn't pay me to send my child to this school. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Brightwood

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 83 72 0 344 0 n/a n/a 0 499
1989 85 76 2 340 0 n/a n/a 0 503
1990 69 77 2 341 0 n/a n/a 0 489
1991 66 63 1 344 0 n/a n/a 0 474
1992 65 97 3 295 0 n/a n/a 0 460
1993 54 100 4 301 0 n/a n/a 0 459
1994 59 122 1 304 0 n/a n/a 0 486
1995 53 179 2 293 0 n/a n/a 0 527
1996 53 179 2 293 0 n/a n/a 0 527
1997 63 167 2 321 0 n/a n/a 0 553
1998 59 177 0 298 0 n/a n/a 0 534
1999 41 169 3 237 0 n/a n/a 0 450
2000 39 153 2 281 0 n/a n/a 0 475
2001 28 114 3 330 0 n/a n/a 0 475
2002 25 86 1 293 1 n/a n/a 0 406
2003 25 86 1 293 1 n/a n/a 0 406
2004 20 94 0 279 3 n/a n/a 0 396
2005 13 71 0 270 4 n/a n/a 0 358
2006 4 38 0 349 0 n/a n/a 1 392
2007 7 49 0 346 0 n/a n/a 4 406
2008 13 44 0 361 0 n/a n/a 4 422
2009 14 40 1 358 0 0 6 0 419
2010 14 47 0 353 0 0 2 0 416
2011 12 42 1 347 0 0 1 0 403
2012 8 45 0 345 0 0 1 0 399
2013 2 47 0 304 0 0 1 0 354
2014 4 52 0 300 1 0 1 0 358
2015 6 60 0 303 1 0 1 0 371
2016 5 46 0 273 0 0 1 0 325
2017 4 53 0 266 0 0 0 0 323
2018 7 53 0 256 0 0 1 0 317
2019 12 46 0 277 0 0 2 0 337
2020 11 59 0 284 0 0 3 0 357
2021 10 56 0 273 0 0 2 1 342
2022 14 47 0 361 0 0 1 0 423
2023 22 45 1 401 0 0 2 0 471
2024 18 36 1 421 0 0 4 0 480

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Brightwood

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 499 n/a n/a n/a
1989 503 n/a n/a n/a
1990 489 n/a n/a n/a
1991 474 n/a n/a n/a
1992 460 n/a n/a n/a
1993 459 n/a 0.0 n/a
1994 486 n/a n/a n/a
1995 527 n/a 0.0 n/a
1996 527 n/a 0.0 n/a
1997 553 n/a 0.0 n/a
1998 534 n/a 0.0 n/a
1999 450 n/a 0.0 94.9
2000 475 n/a 0.0 93.1
2001 475 n/a 0.0 90.5
2002 406 n/a n/a 90.6
2003 406 n/a n/a 90.6
2004 396 41.5 9.5 90.7
2005 358 36.0 9.9 83.8
2006 392 34.0 11.5 95.7
2007 406 34.0 11.9 99.5
2008 422 34.1 12.4 97.4
2009 419 29.3 14.3 96.7
2010 416 35.4 11.7 95.7
2011 403 32.1 12.5 96.3
2012 399 32.9 12.1 97.2
2013 354 32.9 10.7 97.7
2014 358 34.5 10.3 99.2
2015 371 33.0 11.2 91.6
2016 325 28.0 11.6 n/a
2017 323 25.8 12.4 n/a
2018 317 23.9 13.2 n/a
2019 337 23.0 14.6 n/a
2020 357 26.0 13.7 n/a
2021 342 29.0 11.7 n/a
2022 423 35.2 12.0 n/a
2023 471 37.0 12.7 n/a
2024 480 31.7 15.1 n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Brightwood

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 499 n/a n/a n/a
1989 503 n/a n/a n/a
1990 489 n/a n/a n/a
1991 474 n/a n/a n/a
1992 460 n/a n/a n/a
1993 459 n/a 0.0 n/a
1994 486 n/a n/a n/a
1995 527 n/a 0.0 n/a
1996 527 n/a 0.0 n/a
1997 553 n/a 0.0 n/a
1998 534 n/a 0.0 n/a
1999 450 n/a 0.0 94.9
2000 475 n/a 0.0 93.1
2001 475 n/a 0.0 90.5
2002 406 n/a n/a 90.6
2003 406 n/a n/a 90.6
2004 396 41.5 9.5 90.7
2005 358 36.0 9.9 83.8
2006 392 34.0 11.5 95.7
2007 406 34.0 11.9 99.5
2008 422 34.1 12.4 97.4
2009 419 29.3 14.3 96.7
2010 416 35.4 11.7 95.7
2011 403 32.1 12.5 96.3
2012 399 32.9 12.1 97.2
2013 354 32.9 10.7 97.7
2014 358 34.5 10.3 99.2
2015 371 33.0 11.2 91.6
2016 325 28.0 11.6 n/a
2017 323 25.8 12.4 n/a
2018 317 23.9 13.2 n/a
2019 337 23.0 14.6 n/a
2020 357 26.0 13.7 n/a
2021 342 29.0 11.7 n/a
2022 423 35.2 12.0 n/a
2023 471 37.0 12.7 n/a
2024 480 31.7 15.1 n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Brightwood

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,183 (7.5%) $14,642 (92.5%) $15,825
2020 $1,501 (9.3%) $14,694 (90.7%) $16,195
2021 $1,942 (10.5%) $16,526 (89.5%) $18,469

Data source: Massachusetts Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Brightwood

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 914th of 942 Elementary schoolsRanks 895th of 928 Elementary schools
 0.6%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Brightwood)3015
 15%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Springfield)4125.6
 15.4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Massachusetts)5643.9
 12.1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Brightwood)48.5
 4.5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Springfield)3020.7
 9.3%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Massachusetts)4941
 8%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Brightwood)2213.2
 8.8%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Springfield)3321
 12%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Massachusetts)5239.7
 12.3%
4th Grade Mathematics (Brightwood)1316.2
 3.2%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Springfield)2822.9
 5.1%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Massachusetts)4945
 4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Brightwood)317.3
 23.8%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Springfield)3727.6
 9.4%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Massachusetts)5243.8
 8.2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Brightwood)188.7
 9.3%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Springfield)3019.8
 10.2%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Massachusetts)4940.9
 8.2%
5th Grade Science (Brightwood)1614.5
 1.5%
   5th Grade Science (Springfield)2923.8
 5.2%
   5th Grade Science (Massachusetts)4841.6
 6.4%
All Grades English Language Arts (Brightwood)2811.7
 16.3%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Springfield)3021.9
 8.1%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Massachusetts)5242.3
 9.7%
All Grades Mathematics (Brightwood)1211.2
 0.8%
   All Grades Mathematics (Springfield)2516.3
 8.8%
   All Grades Mathematics (Massachusetts)4940.6
 8.4%
All Grades Science (Brightwood)1614.5
 1.5%
   All Grades Science (Springfield)2318.1
 4.9%
   All Grades Science (Massachusetts)4741.2
 5.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students337471
 39.8%
African American4645
 2.2%
American Indian00
Asian01
Hispanic277401
 44.8%
Pacific Islander00
White1222
 83.3%
Two or More Races22


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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