Although it has shown small improvements over the years, Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy is currently designated as a Level 3 school by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as of March 2016.

In 2010, no demographic achieved the goals set Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for English Language Arts, as measured by attendance, standardized test scores, and other factors.

In mathematics, only white students made (AYP) (except "Meets or exceeds state requirements"), with all other demographics (save African American) posting a loss of progress.

As a vocational-technical high school, Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy offers instruction in the following vocational shops: Auto Mechanics, Automotive Body, Graphic Art, Commercial Art, Business Information Management, Sheet Metal, Carpentry, Cosmetology, Culinary, Hospitality/Tourism, HVAC, Horticulture, Marketing and Retail, and Radio/Film and TV, Allied health, child care, design and visual, and culinary.

In addition to athletics, Putnam has a moderate number of extracurricular activities which extend the learning process beyond the typical school day.

[5] Putnam is an active participant in the national Future Farmers of America (FFA), an agriculturally-themed organization for students in the Horticulture shop.

[6] The building is designed to be reminiscent of a shopping mall, with many vocational areas maintaining a storefront where their wares may be bought and sold.