2023 Best Schools in Hampshire County

• Easthampton, MA•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.3 out of 5  142 reviews

Parent: Our son went to Williston last year for a repeat junior year. Though his public-private high school in Vermont offered ample opportunities, the Covid experience had impacted his academic sequence and experience. He'd also come to realize Vermont's competition levels and potential for exposure didn't align with his aspirations for next-level play. Williston came well-recommended by a college friend whose son had been their for a few years, especially for its community. Even more than meeting our expectations for the sports, we were thrilled to see the community and academic experience energize him to new levels. He thrived with connections to students from around New England, the country, globe, and local community! We are thrilled with his academic interest and relationships. He is extremely excited to return for senior year, and I encourage any family seeking a prep experience to look at the school!... Read 142 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 450

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Granby, MA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.45 out of 5  64 reviews

Senior: I am currently a senior at MacDuffie, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the past four years I have spent there. The academics are excellent, as there is a wide variety of classes supplemented by a substantial offering of honors and AP courses. The teachers are absolutely excellent as well. They truly care about what they are teaching, and they will do whatever they can to help their students succeed. As for extracurriculars, there are many ways to get involved with sports, the arts, and more outside of school, whether it is on a team, in a club, or in a CAP (co-curricular activities program). The arts facilities leave a little to be desired, but it is amazing what the arts teachers can do with what they have! Overall, these past four years have been amazing, and while I definitely feel as if MacDuffie has more than adequately prepared me for college and beyond, I will still miss MacDuffie. Go Mustangs!... Read 64 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 202

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Westhampton, MA•

• Public School•

• PK, K-6

• grade A

• Students 104

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Hadley, MA•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.52 out of 5  25 reviews

Junior: The Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School as an amazing school for those who want advanced education, and small, more intimate classes. PVCICS teaches all grades from K-12 with a range of immersion of the Chinese Mandarin Language. The highschool (9-12), takes honours classes in 9th and 10th grade, and the 11th and 12th graders are all enrolled in the IB Programme which teaches college level classes, along with college credit that can take of 1-2 years off your college degree. The class sizes are also very small and intimate, as the grade sizes range from 10-50 students total. It is very challenging though, so only you should only enroll if you are up for a long and hard (but very advanced) high school experience.... Read 25 reviews

• grade A

• Students 560

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Northampton Public Schools, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  155 reviews

Senior: My experience at Northampton High School has been a good one for sure. We have excellent teachers, especially in the history, science, and music departments. Everyone is very welcoming and accepting. It's about everything you want in a high school and has a wide spectrum of class offerings from AP to regular. Smith College is also close by and you can take some college classes there. My only complaint would probably be the grading policy which was implemented last year (2021) called standards-based grading. It makes it pretty easy to get really good grades without trying too-too hard.... Read 155 reviews

• grade A

• Students 861

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Pelham, MA•

• Public School•

• K-6

• grade A

• Students 107

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Hadley, MA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  17 reviews

Works Here: As a contractor working with the school to set up a state of the art indoor air quality protocol to protect their staff and students, I have been amazed at their caring and unselfish approach to the upgrades on campus. Their investment in the health and wellbeing of everyone on campus is a model for all to follow and I am sure they approach all aspects of operating this fine institution in the same manner! Jim Patterson Future Air Filters... Read 17 reviews

• grade A

• Students 243

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Northampton Public Schools, MA•

• K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 234

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Belchertown Public Schools, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  196 reviews

Senior: Throughout my time at Belchertown High School, I participated in the lacrosse team as a JV player positioned as attack. I participated in the Humanities club my freshman year, but slowly fell out of it to focus on my academics. I built relationships with my teachers and enjoyed conversations with them. I liked that Belchertown High School felt inclusive during the prep rallies and enjoyed the memories spent there. As a senior, I look back on my time at the high school and feel that I was apart of a community.... Read 196 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 694

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Amherst-Pelham Regional School District, MA•

• 7-8

• grade B+

• Students 413

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Hadley Public Schools, MA•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  31 reviews

Senior: Hopkins Academy is academically quite advanced. The classes develop the student's logical and analyzing skills, but academics also focus on developing a student's personal philosophy and beliefs, sharing and learning about others while in the process of discovering yourself and your values. The teachers are professionals who know how to challenge students and strike compelling, thought-provoking discussions. What really makes Hopkins Academy stand out is its community. Coming from a small town, the school and its community are always helping and supporting each other. I've learned to help others in my school and my community so you can learn to grow as a person through the experience. The school wants to involve students through sports, arts and music, a variety of clubs, volunteer work, and even internships. I personally joined our Equestrian team and Key Club, who's aim is for each student to have 50 hours of volunteer work by the end of each year.... Read 31 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 258

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• South Hadley, MA•

• Public School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  77 reviews

Senior: Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School is a fantastic community with very friendly students and teachers. I have been at Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School from 7th grade to 12th grade and looking back enrolling here might be the best decision I have ever made. I feel so lucky to be a part of such a caring and open-minded community, and being able to experiment with so many different forms of art (even as a student who will not be pursuing the arts), has been an invaluble experience for me.... Read 77 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 391

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Northampton Public Schools, MA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

• grade B+

• Students 328

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Easthampton, MA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• grade B+

• Students 218

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• South Hadley Public Schools, MA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  82 reviews

Senior: The teachers and staff are committed to each student's success. Accommodations are made for struggling students and their anti-bullying policy is effective. The friendships I have made here are the types that will last a lifetime. The education I have gotten at South Hadley High School has provided me with a solid foundation to not only get accepted to college, but successfully complete my 4-year degree. The one thing I would like to see my high school implement is a way for students to evaluate teachers and give them feedback on their teaching methods - what works and what does not work. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship. Sam Haviland... Read 82 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 571

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Northampton Public Schools, MA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.5 out of 5  4 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 623

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Hatfield Public Schools, MA•

• PK, K-6

• grade B

• Students 216

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Hatfield Public Schools, MA•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  29 reviews

Senior: My time at smith academy was pretty good! The small class sizes can be limiting, but all the teachers are really great. They care a lot about students and their success. Administration is pretty good about hearing student concerns.... Read 29 reviews

• grade B

• Students 181

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Northampton Public Schools, MA•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Leeds Elementary is an awesome school. The teachers are nurturing and really have helped my children grow into good human beings. The robotics program and general dedication to STEM is top notch. There is an outdoor garden, community commitment (students help clean the bike path etc.) and lots of innovative teaching. I am so grateful we ended up at this school.... Read 2 reviews

• grade B

• Students 293

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Amherst Public Schools, MA•

• K-6

• grade B

• Students 306

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Westhampton, MA•

• Public School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  85 reviews

Senior: I loved the community feel. It’s a smaller school but the relationships you build are so close knit and everyone is so kind. The only hard thing is many of the teachers promote self teaching and lots of homework is given but I feel it has prepared me tremendously for college. I had such a great experience here!... Read 85 reviews

• grade B

• Students 683

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Easthampton Public Schools, MA•

• PK, K-4

• grade B

• Students 204

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Amherst Public Schools, MA•

• K-6

• grade B

• Students 368

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Hadley Public Schools, MA•

• PK, K-6

• grade B

• Students 248

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• South Hadley Public Schools, MA•

• 2-4

• grade B

• Students 418

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1