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 5 public middle schools serving 2,991 students in New Bedford School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in Massachusetts.
Public Middle Schools in New Bedford School District have an average math proficiency score of 18% (versus the Massachusetts public middle school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 23% (versus the 42% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Massachusetts public middle school average of 53% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (MA)
# Schools
24 Schools
522 Schools
# Students
12,505 Students
300,339 Students
# Teachers
1,061 Teachers
26,170 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%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
22%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
23%
44%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
21%
44%
Graduation Rate
80%
89.2%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)37.6%
22.8%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.67
0.69
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
7%
% Hispanic
46%
28%
% Black
15%
13%
% White
32%
47%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $22,977 in this school district is less than the state median of $25,197. 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 $27,523. The school district spending/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$287 MM
$23,079 MM
Spending
$339 MM
$25,209 MM
Revenue / Student
$22,977
$25,197
Spending / Student
$27,125
$27,523
Best New Bedford School District Public Middle 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.
Roosevelt Middle School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
119 Frederick Street
New Bedford, MA 02744
(508) 997-4511
New Bedford, MA 02744
(508) 997-4511
Gr: 6-8 | 759 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #33.
Keith Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
225 Hathaway Blvd
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
Gr: 6-8 | 949 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #44.
Normandin Middle School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
81 Felton St
New Bedford, MA 02745
(508) 985-4300
New Bedford, MA 02745
(508) 985-4300
Gr: 6-8 | 990 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #55.
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%
Recent Articles
School Leadership Matters: Evaluating a Principal
Learn how to evaluate a public school principal before enrolling by examining leadership stability, teacher support, communication, school culture, instructional priorities, discipline, family engagement, and measurable improvement efforts.
Comparing Before- and After-School Programs
Learn how to compare before- and after-school programs when choosing a public school, including hours, costs, staffing, safety, activities, enrollment rules, transportation, meals, and daily convenience for families.
Choosing a Public School During Budget Uncertainty
Learn which questions parents should ask when choosing a public school during budget uncertainty, including staffing, programs, class sizes, transportation, reserves, enrollment trends, and planned reductions ahead.
