Schools in Bolton, Stow and Acton (Boston, Leominster: homes, elementary schools, allergies)

[rsusi]

Can anyone comment on their experiences in the Bolton, Stow or Acton public schools? We are considering a move to one of these areas, and while they all seem to have good reputations and MCAS data, I am curious on what the general feel of the each school is and what people have experienced. I am interested in all grade levels. Thanks in advance!

[rsusi]

OOps- also interested in how these schools handle food allergies, if anyone has personal experience- thanks!

[neil0311]

Bolton, Stow, and Lancaster are part of the Nashoba district and have pretty good schools. My wife grew up in Lancaster and graduated from Nashoba HS. We lived in Leominster until 2007. I'm not sure of the specifics about Acton, but the reputation was always very good.

Nashoba Regional School Distric | Home

[brookline82]

Acton schools are among the best in the state and have been for decades. Acton got its real growth spurt at one time as the bedroom community for Digital Equipment. High tech and biotech people are a significant presence in the community. Its not unusual to see several football players going to Ivy League schools, as an example. Special needs and handicaps get much-better-than-average attention in Acton. Contact the schools. You'll be pleased.

[holden125]

To some extent these rankings are pretty silly, but Boston magazine has good statistics at the high school level from the Acton-Boxboro district. They have long been a football powerhouse as well as an academic powerhouse at A-B.

The Best Public High Schools

Note that the academic performance in these rankings is based on performance compared to spending per pupil. As a higher-spending district, A-B would have to clean other districts' clock to be at the top of academic performance. The law of diminishing returns sets in at a certain point and there are schools spending much less and getting almost even results.

[scoutydog]

Am hearing only nightmare things about the "selection" process for picking which elementary schools to go to in Acton. Although the district is quite good. Stow's schools are outstanding, and Nashoba HS is always in the top 20 in the state. Stow is also building a new elementary school, and while the population is booming because of its local to Boston and easy commute, beautiful homes and golf courses, they're smart in keeping their classes small compared to other local towns like Concord where you hear about overcrowding.