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B−
Schools in Fairhaven · Fairhaven School District

Fairhaven’s public schools outscore 54% of Massachusetts districts

On the state math tests, 50% of Fairhaven’s students scored proficient, above the Massachusetts average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving Fairhaven, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Massachusetts, not nationally.

#144of 283 Massachusetts townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Massachusetts state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
44%
▲ 0 pts vs MA 44%
2021–22
Math proficiency
50%
▲ 9 pts vs MA 41%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 1–5 pts vs MA 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$19.1K
▼ 28% vs MA $26.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.0
MA 11.9
Schools in town
5
1,727 students on the public path
In brief

Fairhaven’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 258 Massachusetts towns with household incomes within a quarter of Fairhaven’s, its schools beat 70%, higher than their 54% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 44% and math 50% in spring 2022, against 44% and 41% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $19,103 per student, against $26,530 across Massachusetts (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Hastings Middle, then Fairhaven High. Enrollment is down 10% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

St. Joseph School (private) is in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Fairhaven’s grade

B Test scoresC Graduation

B−: better than 54% of Massachusetts school districts, #144 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Massachusetts average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Massachusetts school districts we grade (394)Better than 54%
Lower resultsHigher results
Massachusetts towns with similar household incomes (258)Better than 70%
Towns in Bristol County (15)Better than 47%
C+B+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 969 test results and a graduating class of 172 could put Fairhaven anywhere from C+ to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Fairhaven’s students in the tested grades sat them (967 in math, 971 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Fairhaven, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–52 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressB+
6–8Hastings MiddleFairhaven School DistrictC+
9–12Fairhaven HighFairhaven School DistrictB+

Fairhaven’s public schools are run by Fairhaven School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Fairhaven School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 1,727 students, down 10% since 2020–21 · 12.0 per teacher (MA 11.9)
$19,103MA $26,530 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Close to the state in reading

Reading44%
State average 43.7% · 971 students tested
Math50%
State average 40.7% · 967 students tested

Fairhaven vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Massachusetts towns that share Fairhaven’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
FairhavenB−Fairhaven
New BedfordDNew Bedford
MattapoisettB+Mattapoisett PK–6 · Old Rochester 7–12
AcushnetBAcushnet PK–8 · Fairhaven/New Bedford School Districts in Acushnet

Every school in Fairhaven

5 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Massachusetts’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Fairhavenby address
Leroy Wood
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B+
428 students14:1Rate it →
East Fairhaven
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B+
316 students11:1Rate it →
Hastings Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
C+
415 students12:1Rate it →
Fairhaven High
High · Grades 9–12
B+
568 students11:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. Joseph School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
151 students10:1Rate it →

Questions about Fairhaven’s schools

Are Fairhaven’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of Massachusetts: the public schools Fairhaven children attend outscore 54% of Massachusetts’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #144 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 70%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Fairhaven in?

Fairhaven School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,727 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

Where do Fairhaven kids go to high school?

Fairhaven High, with 568 students; its own test results earn a B+.

What is Fairhaven’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in Fairhaven School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts.

How much does Fairhaven spend per student?

$19,103 in Fairhaven School District (FY2024), against $26,530 across Massachusetts. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Fairhaven?

Yes: St. Joseph School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 151 students).

Parents talk

What Fairhaven families are saying about school.

Town Square →
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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Fairhaven → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Massachusetts. Stars are from neighbors.