Rotch, William J., Gothic Cottage · Photo: User:Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0New Bedford’s public schools score below 90% of Massachusetts districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 21% of New Bedford’s students scored proficient, below the Massachusetts average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving New Bedford, 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 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.
New Bedford’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 52 Massachusetts towns with household incomes within a quarter of New Bedford’s, its schools beat 29%, higher than their 10% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 23% of tested students were proficient in reading and 21% in math, against 44% and 41% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $25,307 per student, against $26,530 across Massachusetts (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
18 elementary schools, then five middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Global Learning Charter Public School, Alma del Mar Charter School, St. James - St. John School (private), Nazarene Christian Academy (private), All Saints Catholic School (private), Our Sisters' School (private) and Nativity Preparatory School New Bedford (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 New Bedford’s grade
D: better than 10% of Massachusetts school districts, #267 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 New Bedford, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in New Bedford · depends on your address
New Bedford High
Grades 9–12 · 2,878 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Whaling City Junior/Senior High School
Grades 7–12 · 200 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Trinity Day Academy
Grades 6–12 · 93 students · 6:1 students per teacher
10th grade in New Bedford · depends on your address
New Bedford High
Grades 9–12 · 2,878 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Whaling City Junior/Senior High School
Grades 7–12 · 200 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Trinity Day Academy
Grades 6–12 · 93 students · 6:1 students per teacher
New Bedford’s public schools are run by New Bedford 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
New Bedford vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Massachusetts towns that share New Bedford’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| New Bedford | D | New Bedford |
| Fairhaven | B− | Fairhaven |
| Acushnet | B | Acushnet PK–8 · Fairhaven/New Bedford School Districts in Acushnet |
| Dartmouth | B | Dartmouth |
Every school in New Bedford
32 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 New Bedford’s schools
Are New Bedford’s schools good?
On Massachusetts’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools New Bedford children attend score below 90% of Massachusetts’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #267 of 283 Massachusetts towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 29%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is New Bedford in?
New Bedford School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 12,505 students in 24 schools (2024–25).
Where do New Bedford kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: New Bedford High, Whaling City Junior/Senior High School and Trinity Day Academy.
What is New Bedford’s graduation rate?
79% of the class of 2023 in New Bedford School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Massachusetts.
How much does New Bedford spend per student?
$25,307 in New Bedford School District (FY2024), against $26,530 across Massachusetts. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in New Bedford?
Yes: St. James - St. John School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 267 students), Nazarene Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 263 students), All Saints Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 185 students), Our Sisters' School (nonsectarian · all-girls, grades 5–8, 69 students) and Nativity Preparatory School New Bedford (nonsectarian · all-boys, grades 5–8, 47 students). New Bedford also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What New Bedford families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near New Bedford → 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.