New Bedford School District
School District · New Bedford, Massachusetts
Avg Rating
5.0
out of 10
Schools
24
18 elem, 3 mid, 3 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,022
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Avg Rating
5.0
out of 10
Schools
24
18 elem, 3 mid, 3 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,022
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Evaluating New Bedford?
A district shares budget, policy, and attendance zones across its schools — use this page to judge New Bedford as a whole, then compare how its individual schools differ.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Elwyn G Campbell
New Bedford · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Elizabeth Carter Brooks
New Bedford · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Normandin Middle School
New Bedford · Middle. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
How this district compares
Massachusetts rank
#206 of 236
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
-1.2
below Massachusetts avg
Per-pupil spending
$23,022
+$1,651 vs Massachusetts median
District size
12,488 students
Much larger than Massachusetts median
The short answer
New Bedford ranks #206 of 236 Massachusetts districts by overall school rating. New Bedford's schools with real test data average 5.0/10 across 24 schools. Its top-rated schools are Elwyn G Campbell (7.2/10), Elizabeth Carter Brooks (6.9/10), and Normandin Middle School (6.8/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Top-Rated Schools in New Bedford
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (24 of 24). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elwyn G Campbell | 7.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Elizabeth Carter Brooks | 6.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Normandin Middle School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Keith Middle School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 5 | William H Taylor | 6.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Jireh Swift | 6.1 / 10 |
| 7 | Roosevelt Middle School | 6.0 / 10 |
| 8 | Trinity Day Academy | 5.7 / 10 |
| 9 | New Bedford High | 5.5 / 10 |
| 10 | Casimir Pulaski | 5.2 / 10 |
See all 24 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About New Bedford
New Bedford is a New Bedford, Massachusetts school district serving 24 schools. The district educates 12,488 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1. The district invests $23,022 per student annually.
With an average rating of 5.0/10, New Bedford demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is Elwyn G Campbell, which has a composite score of 7.2/10.
In standardized testing, New Bedford students show an average math proficiency of 30.7% and ELA proficiency of 33.0%.
The district includes 18 elementary schools , 3 middle schools , and 3 high schools.
District Map
Schools in New Bedford, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in New Bedford with test data.
Schools in New Bedford
24 schools Elementary Schools 18
District Details
- State
- Massachusetts
- City
- New Bedford
- Total Enrollment
- 12,488
- Teachers (FTE)
- 1,034
- Child Poverty Rate
- 0.3%
- Data Year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in New Bedford?
New Bedford has 24 schools in total — 18 elementary, 3 middle, and 3 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for New Bedford?
The average composite rating for New Bedford is 5.0/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the per-pupil spending in New Bedford?
New Bedford spends $23,022 per student per year.
What is the student-teacher ratio in New Bedford?
The average student-teacher ratio in New Bedford is 12.1:1.
What is the top-rated school in New Bedford?
Elwyn G Campbell is the highest-rated school in New Bedford with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What are the test scores in New Bedford?
Across schools in New Bedford with test data, the average math proficiency is 30.7% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 33.0%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does New Bedford compare to other districts in Massachusetts?
New Bedford has an average school rating of 5.0/10 across 24 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in Massachusetts by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 5.0/10
- Math Proficiency
- 30.7%
- ELA Proficiency
- 33.0%
Resources
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateOther School Districts in MA
Compare New Bedford with neighboring districts in the state.
- Boston (109)
- Springfield (66)
- Worcester (45)
- Lowell (27)
- Lynn (27)
- Lawrence (26)
- Brockton (24)
- Newton (22)
- Quincy (19)
- Fall River (18)
- Cambridge (17)
- Haverhill (16)
- Chicopee (15)
- Framingham (14)
- Pittsfield (14)
- Brookline (13)
- Leominster (13)
- Plymouth (13)
- Taunton (13)
- Wachusett (13)
- Attleboro (12)
- Westfield (12)
- Arlington (11)
- Chelsea (11)
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.
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