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Below Average

#1485 of 1,791 schools in MA

John Avery Parker

Elementary School · New Bedford

705 County Street, New Bedford, MA 02740

Enrollment

264

Student-Teacher

12:1

Score

4.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In New Bedford

#15 of 27

public schools

Massachusetts elementary schools

#812 of 1,022

In district

#14 of 24

New Bedford

About John Avery Parker

John Avery Parker is an elementary school located in New Bedford, Massachusetts, in Bristol County. With a student population of 264 and a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child. Teachers work diligently with small class sizes to support students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.

Academically, John Avery Parker has room for improvement, ranking in the lower quartile among Massachusetts schools at #1537 out of 1796. The MySchoolScout Rating is 3.5/10 and the academic score is 2.8/10, reflecting a focus on student development rather than just test scores. Performance data shows that 26% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 20% in Math, and 18% in Science.

Located in a mid-size suburb, the school is part of an area known for its community spirit and strong sense of place. The neighborhood around John Avery Parker provides a supportive environment where families can engage with each other and participate in local activities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.5Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change-2.98 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.7Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Math vs. State Avg-20.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.6 pts
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)17%
vs. Expected+7.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
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 Ratio12:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,918

John Avery Parker — Students at John Avery Parker score 24% 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 20.1%
School
State
43.0%
ELA Proficiency 26.2%
School
State
45.6%

Based on 60 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
18%
ELA
25.3%
2019
Math
37.8%
ELA
47.5%
2021*
Math
16.8%
ELA
28.8%
2022
Math
20.3%
ELA
25%
2023
Math
26%
ELA
24.3%
2024
Math
8.3%
ELA
16%
2025
Math
8.7%
ELA
9%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How John Avery Parker Compares

See how John Avery Parker performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
17th percentile in MA
Academic
5.7/10
5.7/10
Growth
3.5/10
Below average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Location

705 County Street, New Bedford, MA 02740

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering John Avery Parker may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Elizabeth Carter Brooks (rated 7.5/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ellen R Hathaway (rated 5.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HOLY FAMILY HOLY NAME SCHOOL (rated 5.7/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in New Bedford, see our New Bedford schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
HOLY FAMILY HOLY NAME SCHOOL New Bedford 0.4 mi 5.7
Trinity Day Academy New Bedford 0.5 mi 6.1
Sgt Wm H Carney Academy New Bedford 0.6 mi 3.7
Whaling City Junior/Senior High School New Bedford 0.7 mi 7.0
Hayden/McFadden New Bedford 0.7 mi 4.9
NATIVITY PREPARATORY SCHOOL NEW BEDFORD New Bedford 0.8 mi 7.0
New Bedford High New Bedford 0.7 mi 5.1
Ellen R Hathaway New Bedford 0.9 mi 5.9
Carlos Pacheco New Bedford 1.0 mi 3.8
Global Learning Charter Public School New Bedford 1.1 mi 3.6
ST JAMES - ST JOHN SCHOOL New Bedford 1.1 mi 5.0
Keith Middle School New Bedford 0.9 mi 7.1
Thomas R Rodman New Bedford 1.0 mi 3.9
Alfred J Gomes New Bedford 1.4 mi 4.0
Elizabeth Carter Brooks New Bedford 1.1 mi 7.5
Betsey B Winslow New Bedford 1.5 mi 4.6
James B Congdon New Bedford 1.6 mi 4.3
Alma del Mar Charter School New Bedford 1.5 mi 4.2
Abraham Lincoln New Bedford 1.7 mi 4.6
John B Devalles New Bedford 1.8 mi 4.2

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 John Avery Parker 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
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL New Bedford, MA 4.8
Clarksburg Elementary Clarksburg, MA 4.8
Elizabeth S Brown Swansea, MA 4.8
John P Oldham Norwood, MA 4.8
LAWRENCE CATHOLIC ACADEMY Lawrence, MA 4.8
Memorial Winchendon, MA 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about John Avery Parker

What grades does John Avery Parker serve?

John Avery Parker serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend John Avery Parker?

John Avery Parker has an enrollment of approximately 264 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at John Avery Parker?

The student-teacher ratio at John Avery Parker is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does John Avery Parker rank in MA?

John Avery Parker is ranked #1485 out of 1,791 schools in MA.

What is John Avery Parker's MySchoolScout rating?

John Avery Parker has a composite rating of 4.8 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 John Avery Parker?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, John Avery Parker has 20.1% math proficiency and 26.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is John Avery Parker a charter school?

No, John Avery Parker is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is John Avery Parker a Title I school?

No, John Avery Parker 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
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
264
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
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
#14 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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