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 9 public preschools serving 3,955 students in New Bedford School District. This district's average pre testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public pre schools in Massachusetts.
Public Preschools in New Bedford School District have an average math proficiency score of 26% (versus the Massachusetts public pre school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 24% (versus the 37% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Massachusetts public preschool average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (MA)
# Schools
24 Schools
567 Schools
# Students
12,505 Students
204,892 Students
# Teachers
1,061 Teachers
17,529 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
0.68
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
6%
Showing 2012–2023. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓
% Hispanic
46%
31%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
15%
13%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% White
32%
45%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
5%
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 Preschools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
William H Taylor
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
71 Portland Street
New Bedford, MA 02744
(508) 997-4511
New Bedford, MA 02744
(508) 997-4511
Gr: PK-5 | 267 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #22.
Casimir Pulaski
(Math: 48% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1097 Braley Rd
New Bedford, MA 02745
(508) 997-4511
New Bedford, MA 02745
(508) 997-4511
Gr: PK-5 | 551 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #33.
Elwyn G Campbell
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
145 Essex Street
New Bedford, MA 02745
(508) 997-4511
New Bedford, MA 02745
(508) 997-4511
Gr: PK-5 | 267 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Jireh Swift
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2203 Acushnet Avenue
New Bedford, MA 02745
(508) 997-4511
New Bedford, MA 02745
(508) 997-4511
Gr: PK-5 | 204 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
John Avery Parker
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
705 County Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
Gr: PK-5 | 289 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #66.
Sgt Wm H Carney Academy
(Math: 12% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
247 Elm Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
Gr: PK-5 | 618 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #77.
Alfred J Gomes
(Math: 22% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
286 S Second Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
Gr: PK-5 | 623 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #88.
Hayden/mcfadden
(Math: 16% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
361 Cedar Grove
New Bedford, MA 02746
(508) 997-4511
New Bedford, MA 02746
(508) 997-4511
Gr: PK-5 | 748 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #99.
Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
47 Emery Street
New Bedford, MA 02744
(508) 997-4511
New Bedford, MA 02744
(508) 997-4511
Gr: PK-5 | 388 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
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