Best Schools in New Bedford, Massachusetts
33 schools · 22 Elementary · 5 Middle · 5 High · 1 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.4/10
- Median household income
- $53,621
- Median home value
- $290,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 19%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 38%
15% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How New Bedford compares
Massachusetts rank
#198 of 238
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.9
below Massachusetts avg (6.3)
Median household income
$54k
47% of Massachusetts median
Schools in this city
33
About Schools in New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford runs 27 ranked public schools across a city where the range between the top and the pack matters. The citywide average sits at 5.1 out of 10 — a middle-tier number that reflects real variation, not uniform performance. Only 2 schools, 7% of the ranked total, score 7 or above. For parents, that concentration means where you land in the attendance zone makes a measurable difference.
Elizabeth Carter Brooks is the clear standout, scoring 7.5 and ranking as the top public school in the city. William H Taylor follows at 7.1 — the only other school to clear the 7-point threshold. Both are elementary schools, which means families with children entering kindergarten or early grades have the strongest case for targeting a high-performing placement. The top-of-market options in New Bedford are front-loaded toward younger grades.
The middle school tier is tighter and lower. Keith Middle School and Normandin Middle School tie at 6.6, making them the best middle school options available — but neither reaches 7. Both still sit above the 5.1 citywide average by more than a full point, which is meaningful in context. Parents moving a child from one of the top elementaries into middle school should compare Keith and Normandin on factors beyond score, since the ratings are identical: program offerings, commute, and campus environment become the differentiators.
The practical takeaway for New Bedford: start the search early and think in tiers. The strongest elementary options, Brooks and Taylor, are where performance peaks. The middle school tier is competitive but capped. With only 7% of schools above the 7-point mark, families who have address flexibility should use it at the elementary stage — that's where the spread is widest and the leverage is highest.
Elementary Schools
22 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 264 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.5 | ||
| 2 | 261 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.9 | ||
| 3 | 278 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.8 | ||
| 4 | 221 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.3 | ||
| 5 | 245 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.9 | ||
| 6 | 560 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.1 | ||
| 7 | 713 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.9 | ||
| 8 | 264 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.8 | ||
| 9 | 672 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.6 | ||
| 10 | 234 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.6 | ||
| 11 | 301 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.3 | ||
| 12 | 1,041 students · Kindergarten–8th | 4.2 | ||
| 13 | 292 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.2 | ||
| 14 | 610 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.0 | ||
| 15 | 205 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.9 | ||
| 16 | 254 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.8 | ||
| 17 | 262 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.7 | ||
| 18 | 383 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.7 | ||
| 19 | 613 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.7 | ||
| Private Schools 3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | HOLY FAMILY HOLY NAME SCHOOL
Private
139 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | ST JAMES - ST JOHN SCHOOL
Private
144 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Private
168 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 872 students · 6th–8th | 7.1 | ||
| 2 | 1,038 students · 6th–8th | 6.6 | ||
| 3 | 788 students · 6th–8th | 6.6 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | OUR SISTERS' SCHOOL
Private
67 students · 5th–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 47 students · 5th–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 179 students · 6th–12th | 7.0 |
| 2 | 86 students · 5th–12th | 6.1 |
| 3 | 2,147 students · 9th–12th | 5.4 |
| 4 | 2,893 students · 9th–12th | 5.1 |
| 5 | 502 students · 5th–12th | 3.6 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NAZARENE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Private
200 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in New Bedford
New Bedford, Massachusetts · 33 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 5 ZIP codes
Median Income
$53,621
Median Home Value
$290,100
Median Rent
$1,054/mo
Population
122,477
College Educated
19%
Homeownership
38%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
22.2%
Community Profile
New Bedford has a median household income of $53,621. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $290,100, with a median rent of $1,054/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- Massachusetts
- Total Schools
- 33
- Elementary
- 22
- Middle
- 5
- High
- 5
- Districts
- 4
- Avg Rating
- 5.4/10
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Massachusetts
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in New Bedford, Massachusetts
How many schools are in New Bedford, Massachusetts?
New Bedford has 33 schools, including 27 public and 6 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in New Bedford, Massachusetts?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in New Bedford is 5.4 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in New Bedford, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked school in New Bedford on MySchoolScout is Our Sisters' School with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in New Bedford, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked elementary school in New Bedford on MySchoolScout is Elizabeth Carter Brooks with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best middle school in New Bedford, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked middle school in New Bedford on MySchoolScout is Our Sisters' School with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best high school in New Bedford, Massachusetts?
The top-ranked high school in New Bedford on MySchoolScout is Whaling City Junior/senior High School with a composite score of 7.0/10.
How many school districts serve New Bedford, Massachusetts?
New Bedford is served by 4 school districts: Global Learning Charter Public (district), Alma Del Mar Charter School (district), New Bedford, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical.
What is the education level in New Bedford, Massachusetts?
According to Census data, 19% of adults in New Bedford have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in New Bedford, Massachusetts?
The median household income in New Bedford is approximately $53,621 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in New Bedford, Massachusetts?
Yes, New Bedford has 6 private schools alongside 27 public schools. The top-rated private school is Our Sisters' School with a score of 7.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in New Bedford, Massachusetts?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in New Bedford is 11.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in New Bedford, Massachusetts?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Mass. Dept. of Elementary & Secondary Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.