Top Rankings
New Bedford School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Massachusetts for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 3 public high schools serving 3,171 students in New Bedford School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in Massachusetts.
Public High Schools in New Bedford School District have an average math proficiency score of 16% (versus the Massachusetts public high school average of 45%), and reading proficiency score of 18% (versus the 52% statewide average).
Public High School in New Bedford School District have a Graduation Rate of 80%, which is less than the Massachusetts average of 90%.
The school with highest graduation rate is New Bedford High School, with 81% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Massachusetts or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 71% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Massachusetts public high school average of 50% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (MA)
# Schools
24 Schools
419 Schools
# Students
12,505 Students
328,530 Students
# Teachers
1,061 Teachers
27,877 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
New Bedford School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 391 school districts in Massachusetts (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 80% has increased from 59% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#359 out of 395 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
22%
42%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
23%
44%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
21%
44%
Graduation Rate
80%
89.2%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)37.6%
22.8%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.67
0.67
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
1%
7%
Showing 2012–2023. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓
% Hispanic
46%
26%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
15%
12%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% White
32%
50%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
4%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $22,977 in this school district is less than the state median of $25,203. The school district revenue/student has grown by 12% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $27,125 is less than the state median of $27,530. The school district spending/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$287 MM
$23,079 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending
$339 MM
$25,209 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$22,977
$25,203
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$27,125
$27,530
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best New Bedford School District Public High Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Whaling City Junior/senior High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
455 County Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
Gr: 7-12 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #22.
New Bedford High School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
230 Hathaway Blvd
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
Gr: 9-12 | 2,878 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #33.
Trinity Day Academy
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
181 Hillman Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
Gr: 6-12 | 93 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
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