Photo: Marcbela (Marc N. Belanger) · Public domainFall River’s public schools score below 92% of Massachusetts districts on tests and graduation
In Fall River, 20% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Massachusetts average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving Fall River, 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.
From Massachusetts state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% 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.
Fall River’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 52 Massachusetts towns with household incomes within a quarter of Fall River’s, its schools beat 17%, higher than their 8% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 23% of tested students were proficient in reading and 20% in math, against 44% and 41% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
75% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $25,560 per student, against $26,530 across Massachusetts (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
11 elementary schools, then six middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 11% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Atlantis Charter School, Argosy Collegiate Charter School, St. Michael School (private), Espirito Santo Parochial School (private), Holy Name School (private), St. Stanislaus School (private), East Gate Christian Academy (private), Antioch School (private), Mastery School of Independent Learning (private) and Fall River Deaconess Home School (private) are 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.
What’s behind Fall River’s grade
D: better than 8% of Massachusetts school districts, #272 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Both inputs trail the Massachusetts average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Fall River, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Fall River · depends on your address
B M C Durfee High
Grades 9–12 · 2,642 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Stone PK-12 School
Grades 2–12 · 56 students · 4:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Fall River · depends on your address
B M C Durfee High
Grades 9–12 · 2,642 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Stone PK-12 School
Grades 2–12 · 56 students · 4:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Fall River · depends on your address
B M C Durfee High
Grades 9–12 · 2,642 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Stone PK-12 School
Grades 2–12 · 56 students · 4:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Fall River · depends on your address
B M C Durfee High
Grades 9–12 · 2,642 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Stone PK-12 School
Grades 2–12 · 56 students · 4:1 students per teacher
Fall River’s public schools are run by Fall River 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.
Well below the state in reading
Fall River vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Massachusetts towns that share Fall River’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Fall River | D | Fall River |
| Westport | C | Westport |
| Freetown | B+ | Freetown-Lakeville |
| Somerset | C+ | Somerset PK–8 · Somerset-Berkley 9–12 |
Tiverton, RI borders Fall River but is graded on its own state’s tests, so it’s left out.
Every school in Fall River
30 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).
Questions about Fall River’s schools
Are Fall River’s schools good?
On Massachusetts’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Fall River children attend score below 92% of Massachusetts’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #272 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 17%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Fall River in?
Fall River School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 11,089 students in 19 schools (2024–25).
Where do Fall River kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: B M C Durfee High and Stone PK-12 School.
What is Fall River’s graduation rate?
75% of the class of 2023 in Fall River School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts.
How much does Fall River spend per student?
$25,560 in Fall River School District (FY2024), against $26,530 across Massachusetts. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Fall River?
Yes: St. Michael School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 276 students), Espirito Santo Parochial School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 249 students), Holy Name School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 156 students), St. Stanislaus School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 148 students), East Gate Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 106 students), Antioch School (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 51 students), Mastery School of Independent Learning (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 43 students) and Fall River Deaconess Home School (special education · all-girls, grades 8–12, 27 students). Fall River also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Fall River families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Fall River → 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.