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Below Average

#1536 of 1,793 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

4.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Massachusetts schools

#1,536 of 1,793

In New Bedford

#20 of 27

public schools

In district

#17 of 24

New Bedford

Academic performance

8.1 / 10

Excellent

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James B Congdon

4.4/10

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

John B Devalles

3.7/10

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

St James - St John School

5.1/10

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

About James B Congdon

James B Congdon is a public elementary school in New Bedford, MA, part of New Bedford. James B Congdon serves approximately 301 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 10.8:1 student-teacher ratio. James B Congdon has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,536 of 1,793 schools in MA.

Structured state assessment records for James B Congdon show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.8
  • MA avg 6.3

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data17
Annual Change-6.1 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52.3% (2025 MCAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency33.7% (2025 MCAS)
Math vs. State Avg+10.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.9 pts
Overall Proficiency43% (2025 MCAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)17% (model expectation from 2025 MCAS)
vs. Expected+26.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,022
Chronic Absenteeism22.9%

James B Congdon — Students at James B Congdon score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 54.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
43.0% (multi-year state average, 2018-2025)
ELA Proficiency 46.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
45.5% (multi-year state average, 2018-2025)

Based on 84 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
42%
2011
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
75.3%
ELA
68.8%
2019
Math
83.8%
ELA
80%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
44.8%
ELA
52.8%
2022
Math
49%
ELA
36.8%
2023
Math
38.8%
ELA
29.8%
2024
Math
45.3%
ELA
21.3%
2025
Math
52.3%
ELA
33.7%

* 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: 1.2/10.

How James B Congdon Compares

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

Overall Score
4.4/10
14th percentile in MA
Academic
8.1/10
Excellent
Growth
1.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.1/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.9%

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 7.9/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby South Dartmouth), which scores notably higher. Another option is James M. Quinn School (rated 7.4/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Dartmouth), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Andrew B. Cushman School (rated 6.3/10, 1.7 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 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
John B Devalles New Bedford 0.3 mi 3.7
ST JAMES - ST JOHN SCHOOL New Bedford 0.5 mi 5.1
Alfred J Gomes New Bedford 0.6 mi 5.1
NATIVITY PREPARATORY SCHOOL NEW BEDFORD New Bedford 0.8 mi 7.0
Whaling City Junior/Senior High School New Bedford 0.9 mi 4.6
Betsey B Winslow New Bedford 0.7 mi 4.4
Ellen R Hathaway New Bedford 0.9 mi 4.8
Sgt Wm H Carney Academy New Bedford 1.0 mi 3.1
HOLY FAMILY HOLY NAME SCHOOL New Bedford 1.1 mi 5.8
Trinity Day Academy New Bedford 1.2 mi 5.7
Joseph Demello South Dartmouth 1.2 mi 7.9
Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School New Bedford 1.1 mi 3.7
Thomas R Rodman New Bedford 1.3 mi 3.2
John Avery Parker New Bedford 1.6 mi 4.4
OUR SISTERS' SCHOOL New Bedford 1.2 mi 7.9
Roosevelt Middle School New Bedford 1.3 mi 6.0
Andrew B. Cushman School Dartmouth 1.7 mi 6.3
New Bedford High New Bedford 1.7 mi 5.5
James M. Quinn School Dartmouth 1.5 mi 7.4
Keith Middle School New Bedford 1.9 mi 6.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Betsey B Winslow New Bedford, MA 4.4
Buckland-Shelburne Regional Shelburne Falls, MA 4.4
Gardner Swansea, MA 4.4
Hatfield Elementary Hatfield, MA 4.4
James Clark School Agawam, MA 4.4
John Avery Parker New Bedford, MA 4.4

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 ranks #1,536 of 1,793 schools in MA.

What is James B Congdon's MySchoolScout rating?

James B Congdon has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 James B Congdon?

Based on loaded state assessment records, James B Congdon has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
84 Very Walkable
Transit Score
36 Some Transit
Bike Score
53 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.9%

District

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

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