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Very Good

#33 of 389 private schools in MA

Top 8% of private schools

Our Sisters' School

Middle School

145 BROWNELL AVE, New Bedford, MA 27401

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 27 schools in New Bedford. Learn more

Enrollment

67

Student-Teacher

5.8:1

Score

7.9

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In New Bedford

#1 of 6

public schools

Massachusetts middle schools

#2 of 11

About Our Sisters' School

OUR SISTERS' SCHOOL is a middle school located in New Bedford, Massachusetts, serving students from fifth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 67 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 5.8:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each student grow academically and socially. OUR SISTERS' SCHOOL has 12 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment.

While the MySchoolScout Rating is currently at 3.9 out of 10 and the academic score is 3.4 out of 10, these rankings reflect areas where the school can focus on student development with room for improvement. OUR SISTERS' SCHOOL is situated in a mid-size suburb, providing a community atmosphere that encourages engagement between students, teachers, and families. The setting around the school offers a warm and inviting neighborhood that supports the educational journey of its middle schoolers.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 67 students, Our Sisters' School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 5.8:1, Our Sisters' School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Our Sisters' School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$31,269
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$44,661
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.43x — Strong
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
2%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$24.9M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 67 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Our Sisters' School compares to 25 public schools serving similar grades in New Bedford, MA

Student-Teacher Ratio
5.8:1
This School
vs
11.6:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
67
This School
vs
446
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.9
This School
vs
5.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

Hispanic 25.4% vs 0%
White 13.4% vs 0%
Black 10.4% vs 0%
Asian 4.5% vs 0%
Our Sisters' School New Bedford Public Avg

Nearby Middle Schools

School Rating
Our Sisters' School (this school) 7.9
Betsey B Winslow 4.6
Thomas R Rodman 3.9
Ellen R Hathaway 5.9
Elizabeth Carter Brooks 7.5
Trinity Day Academy 6.1
James B Congdon 4.3
Sgt Wm H Carney Academy 3.7
Whaling City Junior/Senior High School 7.0
Keith Middle School 7.1
John B Devalles 4.2
John Avery Parker 4.8
Alfred J Gomes 4.0
Carlos Pacheco 3.8
Hayden/McFadden 4.9
Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School 3.7
Roosevelt Middle School 6.6
Global Learning Charter Public School 3.6
Alma del Mar Charter School 4.2
Abraham Lincoln 4.6
William H Taylor 6.9

Showing 20 of 25 schools. View all schools in New Bedford

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 7.9 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 5.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 9.2 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,536.4
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A+ 9.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 69%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 67
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in MA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Two or More 46.3%
Hispanic 25.4%
White 13.4%
Black 10.4%
Asian 4.5%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

145 BROWNELL AVE, New Bedford, MA 27401

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Our Sisters' School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Dartmouth Middle (rated 7.4/10, 0.5 miles away, in nearby North Dartmouth), with a comparable rating. Another option is Keith Middle School (rated 7.1/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, NATIVITY PREPARATORY SCHOOL NEW BEDFORD (rated 7.0/10, 1.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in New Bedford, see our New Bedford schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
James M. Quinn School Dartmouth 0.3 mi 7.2
Betsey B Winslow New Bedford 0.5 mi 4.6
Thomas R Rodman New Bedford 0.6 mi 3.9
Dartmouth Middle North Dartmouth 0.5 mi 7.4
Ellen R Hathaway New Bedford 0.8 mi 5.9
Elizabeth Carter Brooks New Bedford 1.1 mi 7.5
BISHOP STANG HIGH SCHOOL North Dartmouth 0.9 mi 4.2
New Bedford High New Bedford 1.2 mi 5.1
Keith Middle School New Bedford 1.3 mi 7.1
Trinity Day Academy New Bedford 1.2 mi 6.1
Sgt Wm H Carney Academy New Bedford 1.2 mi 3.7
James B Congdon New Bedford 1.2 mi 4.3
Whaling City Junior/Senior High School New Bedford 1.3 mi 7.0
HOLY FAMILY HOLY NAME SCHOOL New Bedford 1.3 mi 5.7
ST JAMES - ST JOHN SCHOOL New Bedford 1.3 mi 5.0
NAZARENE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY New Bedford 1.7 mi 6.3
Joseph Demello South Dartmouth 1.7 mi 7.2
John B Devalles New Bedford 1.5 mi 4.2
John Avery Parker New Bedford 1.6 mi 4.8
NATIVITY PREPARATORY SCHOOL NEW BEDFORD New Bedford 1.4 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$44,524

Median Home Value

$138,300

Median Rent

$883/mo

Population

21,788

College Educated

31.8%

Homeownership

35.5%

Avg Commute

22.4 min

Poverty Rate

29.2%

Median Age

30.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Our Sisters' School has a median household income of $44,524. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $138,300, with a median rent of $883/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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
NATIVITY PREPARATORY SCHOOL Jamaica Plain, MA 7.3
Springfield Public Day Middle School Springfield, MA 7.3
NATIVITY SCHOOL OF WORCESTER Worcester, MA 7.2
NATIVITY PREPARATORY SCHOOL NEW BEDFORD New Bedford, MA 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Our Sisters' School

What grades does Our Sisters' School serve?

Our Sisters' School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Our Sisters' School?

Our Sisters' School has an enrollment of approximately 67 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Our Sisters' School?

The student-teacher ratio at Our Sisters' School is 5.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Our Sisters' School rank in MA?

Our Sisters' School is ranked #33 out of 389 private schools in MA.

What is Our Sisters' School's MySchoolScout rating?

Our Sisters' School has a composite rating of 7.9 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.

Is Our Sisters' School a private school?

Yes, Our Sisters' School is a private all-girls school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Our Sisters' School a religious school?

No, Our Sisters' School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
39 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,719/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
67
Gender Split
0% M / 100% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Type
private
Coed Status
all-girls
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
9.2 hours
Days Per Year
167 days
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
BRISTOL
Data Year
2022–2023

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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