Doherty Memorial High

Summary:

Doherty Memorial High is a public high school in Worcester, Massachusetts, serving 1,344 students in grades 9-12. The school has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Massachusetts high schools, maintaining a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Doherty Memorial High's academic performance, as measured by MCAS Next Generation assessments, is generally below the state and Worcester district averages. In 2023-2024, the school's proficiency rates ranged from 34.56% in 10th grade Math to 49.24% in 10th grade English Language Arts, compared to the state averages of 48.47% and 56.86%, respectively. The school's four-year graduation rate has declined from 93.1% in 2021-2022 to 89.1% in 2022-2023, and its dropout rate has increased from 4.2% in 2019-2020 to 7.9% in 2022-2023.

In contrast, Shrewsbury High School, located just 4.5 miles from Doherty Memorial High, is a high-performing school that consistently ranks in the top 15% of Massachusetts high schools and significantly outperforms Doherty Memorial High and the Worcester district on academic measures. Additionally, the Ma Academy for Math and Science School, a specialized public high school located just 1.16 miles from Doherty Memorial High, has consistently ranked as one of the top high schools in Massachusetts, with a 100% graduation rate and exceptional academic performance.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 299 Highland Street
       Worcester, MA  01602


(508) 799-3270

District: Worcester

SchoolDigger Rank:
240th of 348 Massachusetts High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $16,478 Help


Feeder schools for Doherty Memorial High:

Elementary:    Elm Park Community
    Flagg Street
    May Street
    Midland Street
    More...
Middle:    Forest Grove Middle

Student/teacher ratio:  15.4 Help
Number of students:  1,344

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
37.5%
White:
35.8%
African American:
15.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  58.4% Help


 See top rated Massachusetts high schools

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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Doherty Memorial High ranks worse than 69% of high schools in Massachusetts. It also ranks 2nd among 7 ranked high schools in the Worcester School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 34.91. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Doherty Memorial High who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
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The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Doherty Memorial High is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (37.5%), White (35.8%), African American (15.8%). (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Doherty Memorial High is 15.4, which is the 3rd best among 7 high schools in the Worcester School District. (See more...)
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Compare Doherty Memorial High employs 86.9 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Doherty Memorial High is $16,478. 5 high schools in the Worcester School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Doherty Memorial High:

SchoolDigger ranks Doherty Memorial High 240th of 348 Massachusetts public high schools. (See Doherty Memorial High in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Homeless students:
Female students:
Male students:
Asian students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Worcester:

SchoolDigger ranks Worcester 308th of 351 Massachusetts school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Doherty Memorial High

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Doherty Memorial High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 41.20 190th 304 37.5%
2004 19.10 244th 307 20.5%
2005 26.79 236th 311 24.1%
2006 21.85 258th 314 17.8%
2007 30.78 237th 316 25.0%
2008 23.58 272nd 319 14.7%
2009 22.54 275th 322 14.6%
2010 26.73 278th 335 17.0%
2011 36.48 259th 340 23.8%
2012 29.43 275th 340 19.1%
2013 33.22 276th 344 19.8%
2014 37.04 262nd 347 24.5%
2015 32.34 277th 354 21.8%
2016 32.70 275th 351 21.7%
2017 37.95 262nd 348 24.7%
2018 31.52 270th 345 21.7%
2019 35.75 255th 351 27.4%
2021 23.59 229th 285 19.6%
2022 22.76 272nd 342 20.5%
2023 25.99 266th 347 23.3%
2024 34.91 240th 348 31.0%
See the entire list of Massachusetts High School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Doherty Memorial High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 45.81 35th 55 36.4%
2019 14.15 54th 58 6.9%
2022 18.22 63rd 78 19.2%
2023 17.41 69th 82 15.9%
2024 9.92 79th 87 9.2%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Doherty Memorial High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 39.16 45th 77 41.6%
2019 28.24 62nd 82 24.4%
2021 31.98 42nd 46 8.7%
2022 39.41 43rd 77 44.2%
2023 45.23 37th 84 56.0%
2024 36.37 48th 86 44.2%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Doherty Memorial High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 25.54 284th 344 17.4%
2019 31.28 267th 348 23.3%
2021 15.03 243rd 268 9.3%
2022 23.16 270th 339 20.4%
2023 22.22 243rd 301 19.3%
2024 35.97 170th 289 41.2%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Doherty Memorial High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 20.80 284th 330 13.9%
2019 25.49 268th 330 18.8%
2021 15.03 223rd 253 11.9%
2022 20.20 277th 332 16.6%
2023 22.84 266th 338 21.3%
2024 32.70 236th 338 30.2%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Homeless students at Doherty Memorial High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 81.66 4th 23 82.6%
2021 45.07 4th 11 63.6%
2022 44.83 7th 17 58.8%
2023 51.30 5th 23 78.3%
2024 58.47 10th 28 64.3%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for Homeless Students!

Rank History for Female students at Doherty Memorial High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 33.28 259th 339 23.6%
2019 31.67 259th 342 24.3%
2021 26.52 221st 281 21.4%
2022 33.73 235th 340 30.9%
2023 20.87 277th 339 18.3%
2024 31.92 239th 342 30.1%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Doherty Memorial High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 14.90 265th 299 11.4%
2019 16.07 267th 299 10.7%
2021 14.56 187th 202 7.4%
2022 17.40 261st 295 11.5%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Doherty Memorial High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 25.44 285th 343 16.9%
2019 35.56 249th 346 28.0%
2021 20.73 226th 281 19.6%
2022 16.09 283rd 339 16.5%
2023 27.61 252nd 343 26.5%
2024 34.14 231st 342 32.5%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Doherty Memorial High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 22.00 80th 91 12.1%
2019 31.18 77th 97 20.6%
2021 22.67 55th 68 19.1%
2022 11.49 81st 93 12.9%
2023 7.85 87th 96 9.4%
2024 16.55 87th 98 11.2%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Doherty Memorial High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.00 100th 134 25.4%
2019 56.93 58th 137 57.7%
2021 39.43 59th 94 37.2%
2022 45.54 68th 133 48.9%
2023 43.90 77th 142 45.8%
2024 54.37 61st 160 61.9%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Doherty Memorial High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 26.53 148th 193 23.3%
2019 22.40 164th 206 20.4%
2021 17.99 129th 149 13.4%
2022 14.99 192nd 217 11.5%
2023 17.72 206th 241 14.5%
2024 28.72 166th 249 33.3%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Doherty Memorial High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 44.01 198th 303 34.7%
2019 51.82 149th 302 50.7%
2021 28.63 203rd 249 18.5%
2022 38.02 190th 300 36.7%
2023 39.58 182nd 301 39.5%
2024 41.13 182nd 302 39.7%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts High Schools for White 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.

Doherty Memorial High 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)
0%

0%

0%

0%

100%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Open Quote One of the worst schools in MA. Tyrannical staff. Students take "weed brownies" in the school's cafeteria and no one does anything about it. Although there are great teachers that would make the school a bit better, they are so obedient to the system that they keep the school the way it is. Fingers can also be pointed at the district as whole, since they do not listen to the complaints they relieve. Doherty's principals most famous slogan is "it has been this way forever, why change it?" The students' slogan is "who cares?" Need I say more? I didn't think so. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Doherty Memorial High

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 995 123 95 128 2 n/a n/a 0 1343
1989 930 98 138 171 3 n/a n/a 0 1340
1990 924 102 146 142 1 n/a n/a 0 1315
1991 881 122 131 133 1 n/a n/a 0 1268
1992 808 106 117 171 1 n/a n/a 0 1203
1993 773 114 109 180 5 n/a n/a 0 1181
1994 795 134 112 189 6 n/a n/a 0 1236
1995 840 143 108 214 6 n/a n/a 0 1311
1996 840 143 108 214 6 n/a n/a 0 1311
1997 862 156 119 219 7 n/a n/a 0 1363
1998 936 165 125 245 3 n/a n/a 0 1474
1999 916 175 133 256 3 n/a n/a 0 1483
2000 1010 164 139 268 2 n/a n/a 0 1583
2001 1002 184 131 268 3 n/a n/a 0 1588
2002 904 204 134 283 10 n/a n/a 0 1535
2003 904 204 134 283 10 n/a n/a 0 1535
2004 846 193 118 320 9 n/a n/a 0 1486
2005 838 213 123 348 13 n/a n/a 0 1535
2006 857 214 112 371 13 n/a n/a 10 1577
2007 817 212 99 416 8 n/a n/a 8 1560
2008 765 215 112 399 8 n/a n/a 12 1511
2009 702 218 125 406 9 0 9 0 1469
2010 662 205 133 368 8 0 22 0 1398
2011 627 180 145 344 9 0 22 0 1327
2012 616 182 136 362 10 0 25 0 1331
2013 583 186 129 393 9 0 33 0 1333
2014 580 189 125 405 8 0 30 0 1337
2015 620 232 130 420 5 0 35 0 1442
2016 635 225 129 450 3 0 44 0 1486
2017 631 250 122 493 4 0 55 0 1555
2018 643 253 117 477 4 0 65 0 1559
2019 608 262 100 490 2 0 66 1 1529
2020 572 251 89 515 3 1 68 0 1499
2021 554 205 91 519 4 0 66 0 1439
2022 490 195 79 501 4 0 62 0 1331
2023 481 212 84 504 3 0 60 0 1344

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 Doherty Memorial High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1343 n/a n/a n/a
1989 1340 n/a n/a n/a
1990 1315 n/a n/a n/a
1991 1268 n/a n/a n/a
1992 1203 n/a n/a n/a
1993 1181 n/a 0.0 n/a
1994 1236 n/a n/a n/a
1995 1311 n/a 0.0 n/a
1996 1311 n/a 0.0 n/a
1997 1363 n/a 0.0 n/a
1998 1474 n/a 0.0 n/a
1999 1483 n/a 0.0 14.6
2000 1583 n/a 0.0 17.6
2001 1588 n/a 0.0 18
2002 1535 n/a n/a 24
2003 1535 n/a n/a 24
2004 1486 98.4 15.1 30.9
2005 1535 99.0 15.5 34.8
2006 1577 95.0 16.6 36.6
2007 1560 93.0 16.8 39.6
2008 1511 90.4 16.7 41.8
2009 1469 89.6 16.4 47.2
2010 1398 102.4 13.6 52.8
2011 1327 90.3 14.6 48.3
2012 1331 91.6 14.5 56.2
2013 1333 95.0 14.0 59.3
2014 1337 90.5 14.7 58.8
2015 1442 98.0 14.7 58.4
2016 1486 94.0 15.8 n/a
2017 1555 90.6 17.1 n/a
2018 1559 101.3 15.3 n/a
2019 1529 98.0 15.5 n/a
2020 1499 100.1 14.9 n/a
2021 1439 101.6 14.1 n/a
2022 1331 104.7 12.7 n/a
2023 1344 86.9 15.4 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 Doherty Memorial High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1343 n/a n/a n/a
1989 1340 n/a n/a n/a
1990 1315 n/a n/a n/a
1991 1268 n/a n/a n/a
1992 1203 n/a n/a n/a
1993 1181 n/a 0.0 n/a
1994 1236 n/a n/a n/a
1995 1311 n/a 0.0 n/a
1996 1311 n/a 0.0 n/a
1997 1363 n/a 0.0 n/a
1998 1474 n/a 0.0 n/a
1999 1483 n/a 0.0 14.6
2000 1583 n/a 0.0 17.6
2001 1588 n/a 0.0 18
2002 1535 n/a n/a 24
2003 1535 n/a n/a 24
2004 1486 98.4 15.1 30.9
2005 1535 99.0 15.5 34.8
2006 1577 95.0 16.6 36.6
2007 1560 93.0 16.8 39.6
2008 1511 90.4 16.7 41.8
2009 1469 89.6 16.4 47.2
2010 1398 102.4 13.6 52.8
2011 1327 90.3 14.6 48.3
2012 1331 91.6 14.5 56.2
2013 1333 95.0 14.0 59.3
2014 1337 90.5 14.7 58.8
2015 1442 98.0 14.7 58.4
2016 1486 94.0 15.8 n/a
2017 1555 90.6 17.1 n/a
2018 1559 101.3 15.3 n/a
2019 1529 98.0 15.5 n/a
2020 1499 100.1 14.9 n/a
2021 1439 101.6 14.1 n/a
2022 1331 104.7 12.7 n/a
2023 1344 86.9 15.4 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 Doherty Memorial High

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $616 (4.3%) $13,614 (95.7%) $14,230
2020 $699 (4.6%) $14,638 (95.4%) $15,337
2021 $1,161 (7.0%) $15,316 (92.9%) $16,478

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Doherty Memorial High

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 255th of 351 High schoolsRanks 266th of 347 High schools
 4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
10th Grade English Language Arts (Doherty Memorial High)5243.7
 8.3%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Worcester)4236.2
 5.8%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Massachusetts)6158.2
 2.8%
10th Grade Mathematics (Doherty Memorial High)4833
 15%
   10th Grade Mathematics (Worcester)3626.2
 9.8%
   10th Grade Mathematics (Massachusetts)5849.7
 8.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students15291344
 12.1%
African American262212
 19.1%
American Indian23
 50%
Asian10084
 16%
Hispanic490504
 2.9%
Pacific Islander00
White608481
 20.9%
Two or More Races6660
 9.1%


Schools Near Doherty Memorial High









Frequently Asked Questions about Doherty Memorial High

Doherty Memorial High ranks 240th of 348 Massachusetts high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,344 students attended Doherty Memorial High.

Students at Doherty Memorial High are 38% Hispanic, 36% White, 16% African American, 6% Asian, 4% Two or more races.

Doherty Memorial High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Elm Park Community
Elementary : Flagg Street
Elementary : May Street
Elementary : Midland Street
Elementary : Tatnuck
Elementary : West Tatnuck
Middle : Forest Grove Middle


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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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