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Very Good

#363 of 1,793 schools in MA

Top 20% in state

Joseph Demello

Elementary School · Dartmouth

654 Dartmouth Street, South Dartmouth, MA 02748

Enrollment

331

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

7.9

Grades

1st – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Massachusetts schools

#363 of 1,793

In district

#2 of 6

Dartmouth

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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Joseph Demello

7.9/10

Elementary School in South Dartmouth · grades 1st – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Andrew B. Cushman School

6.3/10

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

John B Devalles

3.7/10

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

About Joseph Demello

Joseph Demello is a public elementary school in South Dartmouth, MA, part of Dartmouth. Joseph Demello serves approximately 331 students, and covers grades 1st-5th, and has a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Joseph Demello has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #363 of 1,793 schools in MA.

Structured state assessment records for Joseph Demello show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts above district
  • This school 7.9 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.3
  • MA avg 6.3

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data17
Annual Change-0.43 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.8Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55.3% (2025 MCAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency50.3% (2025 MCAS)
Math vs. State Avg+13.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.7 pts
Overall Proficiency53% (2025 MCAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2025 MCAS)
vs. Expected+3.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
Resources & Environment6.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,799
Chronic Absenteeism12.7%

Joseph Demello — Students at Joseph Demello score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 53.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
43.0% (multi-year state average, 2018-2025)
ELA Proficiency 58.6% (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

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
59%
ELA
65%
2010
Math
68%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
71%
2012
Math
74%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
76%
ELA
73%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
83%
2015
Math
76%
ELA
81%
2016
Math
58%
ELA
56%
2017
Math
48%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
47.3%
ELA
61.5%
2019
Math
49%
ELA
64.3%
2020*
Math
44%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
43.3%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
46%
ELA
44.8%
2023
Math
52.7%
ELA
53.7%
2024
Math
53%
ELA
49%
2025
Math
55.3%
ELA
50.3%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Joseph Demello Compares

See how Joseph Demello performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
80th percentile in MA
Academic
7.8/10
Very Good
Growth
8.6/10
Excellent
Environment
6.5/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.7%

Location

654 Dartmouth Street, South Dartmouth, MA 02748

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Joseph Demello may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. James M. Quinn School (rated 7.4/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Dartmouth), with a comparable rating. Another option is William H Taylor (rated 6.8/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby New Bedford), a more accessible option. Additionally, Andrew B. Cushman School (rated 6.3/10, 0.5 miles away, in nearby Dartmouth), a more accessible option. For more schools in South Dartmouth, see our South Dartmouth schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Andrew B. Cushman School Dartmouth 0.5 mi 6.3
John B Devalles New Bedford 1.1 mi 3.7
James B Congdon New Bedford 1.2 mi 4.4
Betsey B Winslow New Bedford 1.4 mi 4.4
Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School New Bedford 1.3 mi 3.7
ST JAMES - ST JOHN SCHOOL New Bedford 1.7 mi 5.1
OUR SISTERS' SCHOOL New Bedford 1.7 mi 7.9
Alfred J Gomes New Bedford 1.7 mi 5.1
Ellen R Hathaway New Bedford 1.9 mi 4.8
Roosevelt Middle School New Bedford 1.5 mi 6.0
James M. Quinn School Dartmouth 1.9 mi 7.4
Whaling City Junior/Senior High School New Bedford 2.1 mi 4.6
NATIVITY PREPARATORY SCHOOL NEW BEDFORD New Bedford 2.0 mi 7.0
Sgt Wm H Carney Academy New Bedford 2.2 mi 3.1
Thomas R Rodman New Bedford 2.2 mi 3.2
Dartmouth Middle North Dartmouth 2.0 mi 8.0
HOLY FAMILY HOLY NAME SCHOOL New Bedford 2.3 mi 5.8
Trinity Day Academy New Bedford 2.3 mi 5.7
William H Taylor New Bedford 1.8 mi 6.8
New Bedford High New Bedford 2.7 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02748 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$105,455

Median Home Value

$482,500

Median Rent

$1,362/mo

Population

11,501

College Educated

45.2%

Homeownership

74.7%

Avg Commute

25.1 min

Poverty Rate

6.9%

Median Age

48.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Conservatory Lab Charter School Dorchester, MA 7.9
Edward G. Molin Elementary School Newburyport, MA 7.9
Elmwood Street Millbury, MA 7.9
Flagg Street Worcester, MA 7.9
Helen R Donaghue School Merrimac, MA 7.9
L F Dewing Tewksbury, MA 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Joseph Demello

What grades does Joseph Demello serve?

Joseph Demello serves students in grades 1st through 5th.

How many students attend Joseph Demello?

Joseph Demello has an enrollment of approximately 331 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Joseph Demello?

The student-teacher ratio at Joseph Demello is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Joseph Demello rank in MA?

Joseph Demello ranks #363 of 1,793 schools in MA.

What is Joseph Demello's MySchoolScout rating?

Joseph Demello has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 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 Joseph Demello?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Joseph Demello has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Joseph Demello a charter school?

No, Joseph Demello is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Joseph Demello a Title I school?

No, Joseph Demello is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
72 Very Walkable
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
1st – 5th
Enrollment
331
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Bristol County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.7%

District

Dartmouth
District Enrollment
3,351
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,799
District Rank
#2 of 6

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