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5.3 avg / 10

New Bedford School District

School District · New Bedford, Massachusetts

Students: 12,488
Teachers (FTE): 1,034

Avg Rating

5.3

out of 10

Schools

24

18 elem, 3 mid, 3 high

Per-Pupil Spending

$23,022

Student-Teacher Ratio

12.1:1

How this district compares

Massachusetts rank

#190 of 236

districts by avg. composite

Vs. state average

-1.0

below Massachusetts avg

Per-pupil spending

$23,022

+$1,651 vs Massachusetts median

District size

12,488 students

Much larger than Massachusetts median

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 5.3/10, New Bedford demonstrates solid academic performance.

The highest-rated school in the district is Elizabeth Carter Brooks, which has a composite score of 7.5/10.

In standardized testing, New Bedford students show an average math proficiency of 27.9% and ELA proficiency of 30.2%.

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

Math Proficiency 27.9%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 30.2%
School
State
N/A

Average proficiency across all schools in New Bedford with test data.

District Details

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 5.3/10. 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?

Elizabeth Carter Brooks is the highest-rated school in New Bedford with a composite score of 7.5/10.

What are the test scores in New Bedford?

Across schools in New Bedford with test data, the average math proficiency is 27.9% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 30.2%. 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 5.3/10 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 are based on a comprehensive methodology that weighs Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.

District Averages

Overall Rating
5.3/10
Math Proficiency
27.9%
ELA Proficiency
30.2%

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 methodology

Other School Districts in MA

Compare New Bedford with neighboring districts in the state.

See all districts in MA →

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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