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Average

#131 of 389 private schools in MA

Top 33% of private schools

Friends Academy

Elementary School

1088 TUCKER RD, North Dartmouth, MA 02747

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

212

Student-Teacher

4.5:1

Score

6.9

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In North Dartmouth

#2 of 3

public schools

Massachusetts elementary schools

#43 of 200

About Friends Academy

Friends Academy is a public elementary school located in the rural area near North Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, Friends Academy has an enrollment of 212 students and maintains a low student-teacher ratio of 4.5:1 with 48 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. While specific academic test scores are not available, the school’s MySchoolScout rating is 2.4 out of 10 and it ranks at #105 among 389 schools in Massachusetts.

Despite its current ranking, Friends Academy focuses on fostering a nurturing environment for student development and growth. The small class sizes allow teachers to provide personalized attention to each child’s needs, ensuring that every student receives the support they require to succeed academically and socially. With room for improvement in academic performance, Friends Academy continues to strive towards enhancing its curriculum and educational outcomes.

Situated in a rural area near North Dartmouth, Friends Academy is part of a close-knit community where families often know each other well. The school’s setting offers students the chance to explore nature and enjoy a peaceful learning environment away from urban distractions.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 4.5:1, Friends Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Friends Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Located in a rural area, Friends Academy may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2024 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$33,732
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$30,542
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.91x — Tight
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
88%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$18.1M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 212 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Friends Academy compares to the 2 public schools in North Dartmouth, MA

Student-Teacher Ratio
4.5:1
This School
vs
12.5:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
212
This School
vs
602
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.9
This School
vs
7.3
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 86.8% vs 0%
Black 3.3% vs 0%
Hispanic 2.8% vs 0%
Asian 2.4% vs 0%
Friends Academy North Dartmouth Public Avg

All Schools in North Dartmouth

School Rating
Friends Academy (this school) 6.9
Dartmouth Middle 7.4
George H Potter 7.2

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 9.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 4.5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.9 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.2 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,152
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C+ 4.1 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 24%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.0 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 212
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in MA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 86.8%
Two or More 4.7%
Black 3.3%
Hispanic 2.8%
Asian 2.4%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1088 TUCKER RD, North Dartmouth, MA 02747

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Friends Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Elizabeth Carter Brooks (rated 7.5/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby New Bedford), which scores slightly higher. Another option is James M. Quinn School (rated 7.2/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Dartmouth), with a very similar rating. Additionally, George H Potter (rated 7.2/10, 2.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in North Dartmouth, see our North Dartmouth schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
MEETING STREET/THE SCHWARTZ CENTER North Dartmouth 0.7 mi 7.7
KIDDIE KAMPUS North Dartmouth 1.0 mi
Dartmouth Middle North Dartmouth 0.9 mi 7.4
BISHOP STANG HIGH SCHOOL North Dartmouth 1.1 mi 4.2
James M. Quinn School Dartmouth 1.2 mi 7.2
OUR SISTERS' SCHOOL New Bedford 1.5 mi 7.9
Dartmouth High Dartmouth 2.1 mi 7.2
NAZARENE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY New Bedford 2.0 mi 6.3
George H Potter North Dartmouth 2.0 mi 7.2
Elizabeth Carter Brooks New Bedford 2.0 mi 7.5
Thomas R Rodman New Bedford 1.9 mi 3.9
Betsey B Winslow New Bedford 2.0 mi 4.6
Keith Middle School New Bedford 2.3 mi 7.1
New Bedford High New Bedford 2.3 mi 5.1
Ellen R Hathaway New Bedford 2.3 mi 5.9
Joseph Demello South Dartmouth 2.6 mi 7.2
Trinity Day Academy New Bedford 2.6 mi 6.1
Andrew B. Cushman School Dartmouth 2.8 mi 4.7
James B Congdon New Bedford 2.6 mi 4.3
Sgt Wm H Carney Academy New Bedford 2.7 mi 3.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02747 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$97,665

Median Home Value

$460,400

Median Rent

$1,384/mo

Population

21,500

College Educated

33.4%

Homeownership

78.9%

Avg Commute

28.2 min

Poverty Rate

5.2%

Median Age

39.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Friends Academy has a median household income of $97,665. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $460,400, with a median rent of $1,384/month. The local poverty rate of 5.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Ashby Elementary Ashby, MA 6.9
Colegrove Park Elementary North Adams, MA 6.9
Eastham Elementary Eastham, MA 6.9
Haynes Early Education Center Roxbury, MA 6.9
INLY SCHOOL Scituate, MA 6.9
Mittineague West Springfield, MA 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Friends Academy

What grades does Friends Academy serve?

Friends Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Friends Academy?

Friends Academy has an enrollment of approximately 212 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Friends Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Friends Academy is 4.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Friends Academy rank in MA?

Friends Academy is ranked #131 out of 389 private schools in MA.

What is Friends Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Friends Academy has a composite rating of 6.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Friends Academy a private school?

Yes, Friends Academy is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Friends Academy a religious school?

No, Friends Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
11 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
212
Gender Split
53% M / 47% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
4.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
48
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7.2 hours
Days Per Year
160 days
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
BRISTOL
Data Year
2022–2023

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

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