New Bedford High School is a public high school in New Bedford, Massachusetts, United States. It is located at 230 Hathaway Boulevard in the West End and was established in 1827. It also serves students from Acushnet, Massachusetts.
Serving 2,893 students in grades 9-12, New Bedford High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Massachusetts for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 12% (which is lower than the Massachusetts state average of 41%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 19% (which is lower than the Massachusetts state average of 44%).
The student:teacher ratio of 14:1 is higher than the Massachusetts state level of 12:1.
Minority enrollment is 70% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Massachusetts state average of 47% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 2,893 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Minority Enrollment: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 79% (Btm 50% in MA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 12% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 19% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 13% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
New Bedford High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Massachusetts for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
School Overview
New Bedford High School's student population of 2,893 students has grown by 33% over five school years.
The teacher population of 202 teachers has grown by 25% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
2,893 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
202 teachers
Year Founded
1827
School Rankings
New Bedford High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,631 schools in Massachusetts (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of New Bedford High School is 0.67, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.65. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1502 out of 1631 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
12%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
19%
44%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
13%
44%
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
12:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
1%
7%
Hispanic
47%
25%
Black
16%
10%
White
30%
53%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
6%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
79%
90%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
74%
35%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (13-14)
5%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MA Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is New Bedford High School's ranking?
New Bedford High School is ranked #1502 out of 1,631 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Massachusetts.
What schools are New Bedford High School often compared to?
New Bedford High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Gr New Bedford Vocational Technical by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
12% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 41% MA state average), while 19% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 44% MA state average).
What is the graduation rate of New Bedford High School?
The graduation rate of New Bedford High School is 79%, which is lower than the Massachusetts state average of 90%.
How many students attend New Bedford High School?
2,893 students attend New Bedford High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
47% of New Bedford High School students are Hispanic, 30% of students are White, 16% of students are Black, 6% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of New Bedford High School?
New Bedford High School has a student ration of 14:1, which is higher than the Massachusetts state average of 12:1.
What grades does New Bedford High School offer ?
New Bedford High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is New Bedford High School part of?
New Bedford High School is part of New Bedford School District.
School Reviews
Review New Bedford High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.
