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Needs Improvement

#1675 of 1,793 schools in MA

Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School

Elementary School · New Bedford

47 Emery Street, New Bedford, MA 02744

Enrollment

383

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

3.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Massachusetts schools

#1,675 of 1,793

In New Bedford

#24 of 27

public schools

In district

#21 of 24

New Bedford

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Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School

3.7/10

Elementary School in New Bedford · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Roosevelt Middle School

6.0/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

John B Devalles

3.7/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School

Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School is a public elementary school in New Bedford, MA, part of New Bedford. Irwin M.

Jacobs Elementary School serves approximately 383 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,675 of 1,793 schools in MA.

Structured state assessment records for Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School show 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.8
  • MA avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

31% of students at Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.3Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data17
Annual Change-3.06 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.7% (2025 MCAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency9.7% (2025 MCAS)
Math vs. State Avg-34.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-32.9 pts
Overall Proficiency9% (2025 MCAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)17% (model expectation from 2025 MCAS)
vs. Expected-7.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,022
Chronic Absenteeism30.8%

Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School — Students at Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 17.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
43.0% (multi-year state average, 2018-2025)
ELA Proficiency 25.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
45.6% (multi-year state average, 2018-2025)

Based on 82 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2011
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2012
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
22%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
22.8%
ELA
36.3%
2019
Math
20%
ELA
31.8%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
7.9%
ELA
24.3%
2022
Math
4.4%
ELA
14.8%
2023
Math
8%
ELA
13.3%
2024
Math
8%
ELA
12.7%
2025
Math
7.7%
ELA
9.7%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.3/10.

How Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School Compares

See how Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
7th percentile in MA
Academic
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.6/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.8%

Location

47 Emery Street, New Bedford, MA 02744

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Joseph Demello (rated 7.9/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby South Dartmouth), which scores notably higher. Another option is William H Taylor (rated 6.8/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Andrew B. Cushman School (rated 6.3/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Dartmouth), which scores notably higher. For more schools in New Bedford, see our New Bedford schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Roosevelt Middle School New Bedford 0.2 mi 6.0
John B Devalles New Bedford 0.8 mi 3.7
William H Taylor New Bedford 1.0 mi 6.8
Alfred J Gomes New Bedford 1.1 mi 5.1
James B Congdon New Bedford 1.1 mi 4.4
ST JAMES - ST JOHN SCHOOL New Bedford 1.4 mi 5.1
Joseph Demello South Dartmouth 1.3 mi 7.9
NATIVITY PREPARATORY SCHOOL NEW BEDFORD New Bedford 1.6 mi 7.0
Whaling City Junior/Senior High School New Bedford 1.8 mi 4.6
Andrew B. Cushman School Dartmouth 1.6 mi 6.3
Sgt Wm H Carney Academy New Bedford 2.0 mi 3.1
HOLY FAMILY HOLY NAME SCHOOL New Bedford 2.1 mi 5.8
Betsey B Winslow New Bedford 1.8 mi 4.4
Ellen R Hathaway New Bedford 2.0 mi 4.8
Fairhaven High Fairhaven 2.3 mi 5.6
Trinity Day Academy New Bedford 2.2 mi 5.7
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Fairhaven 2.3 mi 4.8
John Avery Parker New Bedford 2.5 mi 4.4
Hastings Middle Fairhaven 2.6 mi 5.7
Thomas R Rodman New Bedford 2.5 mi 3.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02744 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,841

Median Home Value

$344,800

Median Rent

$1,133/mo

Population

12,549

College Educated

13.4%

Homeownership

34.1%

Avg Commute

26.8 min

Poverty Rate

15.5%

Median Age

34.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Balch Norwood, MA 3.7
Brophy Framingham, MA 3.7
Harmony Grove Elementary Framingham, MA 3.7
John B Devalles New Bedford, MA 3.7
Margaret L Donovan Randolph, MA 3.7
Mosier South Hadley, MA 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School

What grades does Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School serve?

Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School?

Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 383 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School rank in MA?

Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School ranks #1,675 of 1,793 schools in MA.

What is Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School has 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School a charter school?

No, Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
81 Very Walkable
Transit Score
35 Some Transit
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
383
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Bristol County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.8%

District

New Bedford
District Enrollment
12,488
Schools in District
24
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,022
District Rank
#21 of 24

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