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Below Average

#1626 of 1,791 schools in MA

James B Congdon

Elementary School · New Bedford

50 Hemlock Street, New Bedford, MA 02740

Enrollment

301

Student-Teacher

10.8:1

Score

4.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In New Bedford

#18 of 27

public schools

Massachusetts elementary schools

#902 of 1,022

In district

#17 of 24

New Bedford

Academic performance

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About James B Congdon

James B Congdon is a regular public elementary school located in New Bedford, Massachusetts, within Bristol County. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 301 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 10.8:1 with 28 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at James B Congdon is rated as moderate, with 46% proficiency in ELA/Reading, 55% proficiency in Math, and 50% proficiency in Science across all grade levels.

While the school's MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 suggests there is room for improvement in academic performance, it remains committed to providing a supportive educational environment that focuses on student development. James B Congdon is situated in a mid-size suburb, offering a setting that blends community engagement with accessible education opportunities. The school's location provides students and families easy access to local resources and activities within the New Bedford area.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.3Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change-6.05 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Math vs. State Avg+4.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.6 pts
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)17%
vs. Expected+24.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.6Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,918

James B Congdon — Students at James B Congdon score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 53.2%
School
State
43.0%
ELA Proficiency 45.8%
School
State
45.5%

Based on 62 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2018
Math
73%
ELA
60.3%
2019
Math
81%
ELA
80.3%
2021*
Math
44.3%
ELA
50.5%
2022
Math
46%
ELA
36.3%
2023
Math
37.8%
ELA
32%
2024
Math
46%
ELA
25%
2025
Math
46%
ELA
31%

* 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: 1.3/10.

How James B Congdon Compares

See how James B Congdon performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.3/10
9th percentile in MA
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
1.3/10
Below average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Location

50 Hemlock Street, New Bedford, MA 02740

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering James B Congdon may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Joseph Demello (rated 7.2/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby South Dartmouth), which scores notably higher. Another option is James M. Quinn School (rated 7.2/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Dartmouth), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ellen R Hathaway (rated 5.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in New Bedford, see our New Bedford schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
John B Devalles New Bedford 0.3 mi 4.2
ST JAMES - ST JOHN SCHOOL New Bedford 0.5 mi 5.0
Alfred J Gomes New Bedford 0.6 mi 4.0
NATIVITY PREPARATORY SCHOOL NEW BEDFORD New Bedford 0.8 mi 7.0
Whaling City Junior/Senior High School New Bedford 0.9 mi 7.0
Betsey B Winslow New Bedford 0.7 mi 4.6
Ellen R Hathaway New Bedford 0.9 mi 5.9
Sgt Wm H Carney Academy New Bedford 1.0 mi 3.7
HOLY FAMILY HOLY NAME SCHOOL New Bedford 1.1 mi 5.7
Trinity Day Academy New Bedford 1.2 mi 6.1
Joseph Demello South Dartmouth 1.2 mi 7.2
Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School New Bedford 1.1 mi 3.7
Thomas R Rodman New Bedford 1.3 mi 3.9
John Avery Parker New Bedford 1.6 mi 4.8
OUR SISTERS' SCHOOL New Bedford 1.2 mi 7.9
Roosevelt Middle School New Bedford 1.3 mi 6.6
Andrew B. Cushman School Dartmouth 1.7 mi 4.7
New Bedford High New Bedford 1.7 mi 5.1
James M. Quinn School Dartmouth 1.5 mi 7.2
Keith Middle School New Bedford 1.9 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02740 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,563

Median Home Value

$303,400

Median Rent

$1,052/mo

Population

46,336

College Educated

18.1%

Homeownership

37.9%

Avg Commute

24.1 min

Poverty Rate

19.6%

Median Age

37

Community Profile

The community surrounding James B Congdon has a median household income of $54,563. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $303,400, with a median rent of $1,052/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.6%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Burncoat Street Worcester, MA 4.3
Cutler School South Hamilton, MA 4.3
Horace Mann Laboratory Salem, MA 4.3
J F Kennedy Memorial Franklin, MA 4.3
Mark G Hoyle Elementary Swansea, MA 4.3
Memorial Early Childhood Center Middleboro, MA 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about James B Congdon

What grades does James B Congdon serve?

James B Congdon serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend James B Congdon?

James B Congdon has an enrollment of approximately 301 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at James B Congdon?

The student-teacher ratio at James B Congdon is 10.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does James B Congdon rank in MA?

James B Congdon is ranked #1626 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is James B Congdon's MySchoolScout rating?

James B Congdon has a composite rating of 4.3 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.

What are the test scores at James B Congdon?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, James B Congdon has 53.2% math proficiency and 45.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is James B Congdon a charter school?

No, James B Congdon is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is James B Congdon a Title I school?

No, James B Congdon is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (1,719/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New Bedford). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
301
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Bristol County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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