Very Good
#607 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 34% in state
Whaling City Junior/senior High School
High School · New Bedford
455 County Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
Enrollment
179
Student-Teacher
9.9:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
179
Student-Teacher
9.9:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In New Bedford
#3 of 27
public schools
Massachusetts high schools
#131 of 366
In district
#3 of 24
New Bedford
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Whaling City Junior/senior High School
Whaling City Junior/Senior High School is a regular public school located in the heart of New Bedford, Massachusetts. Serving students from sixth through twelfth grade, this comprehensive high school offers a unique blend of middle and high school education with an enrollment of 179 students. The student-teacher ratio stands at 9.9:1, providing a relatively personalized learning environment.
While Whaling City Junior/Senior High School’s MySchoolScout rating is modest at 4.4 out of 10, the academic performance, as measured by proficiency in English Language Arts and Math, shows room for improvement with only 5% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 13% proficient or above in Math. The school ranks #1216 out of 1796 schools statewide, indicating there’s potential for academic growth and development. Settled within a mid-size suburb, Whaling City Junior/Senior High School is part of the vibrant community of New Bedford, where students can benefit from the rich cultural and historical offerings of this coastal city.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 179 students, Whaling City Junior/senior High 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 9.9:1, Whaling City Junior/senior High 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.
Score Breakdown
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Whaling City Junior/senior High School — Students at Whaling City Junior/senior High School score 18% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 16 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.8/10.
How Whaling City Junior/senior High School Compares
See how Whaling City Junior/senior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 25% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 5% (2019) to 10% (2021).
Location
455 County Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Whaling City Junior/senior High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Fairhaven High (rated 6.3/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Fairhaven), with a comparable rating. Another option is Trinity Day Academy (rated 6.1/10, 0.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, New Bedford High (rated 5.1/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in New Bedford, see our New Bedford schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sgt Wm H Carney Academy New Bedford | 0.1 mi | 3.7 |
| HOLY FAMILY HOLY NAME SCHOOL New Bedford | 0.2 mi | 5.7 |
| NATIVITY PREPARATORY SCHOOL NEW BEDFORD New Bedford | 0.3 mi | 7.0 |
| ST JAMES - ST JOHN SCHOOL New Bedford | 0.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Trinity Day Academy New Bedford | 0.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Ellen R Hathaway New Bedford | 0.5 mi | 5.9 |
| John Avery Parker New Bedford | 0.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Alfred J Gomes New Bedford | 0.8 mi | 4.0 |
| James B Congdon New Bedford | 0.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Betsey B Winslow New Bedford | 0.9 mi | 4.6 |
| John B Devalles New Bedford | 1.1 mi | 4.2 |
| New Bedford High New Bedford | 1.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Thomas R Rodman New Bedford | 0.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Hayden/McFadden New Bedford | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Keith Middle School New Bedford | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Elizabeth Carter Brooks New Bedford | 1.3 mi | 7.5 |
| OUR SISTERS' SCHOOL New Bedford | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Carlos Pacheco New Bedford | 1.6 mi | 3.8 |
| Global Learning Charter Public School New Bedford | 1.8 mi | 3.6 |
| Fairhaven High Fairhaven | 1.5 mi | 6.3 |
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 Whaling City Junior/senior High School 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 |
|---|---|
| BOSTON TRINITY ACADEMY Boston, MA | 7.0 |
| CityLab Innovation High School Revere, MA | 7.0 |
| MT ALVERNIA HIGH SCHOOL Newton, MA | 7.1 |
| Phoenix Academy Public Charter High School Springfield Springfield, MA | 7.1 |
| Four Rivers Charter Public School Greenfield, MA | 7.2 |
| Hopkins Academy Hadley, MA | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Whaling City Junior/senior High School
What grades does Whaling City Junior/senior High School serve?
Whaling City Junior/senior High School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Whaling City Junior/senior High School?
Whaling City Junior/senior High School has an enrollment of approximately 179 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Whaling City Junior/senior High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Whaling City Junior/senior High School is 9.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Whaling City Junior/senior High School rank in MA?
Whaling City Junior/senior High School is ranked #607 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Whaling City Junior/senior High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Whaling City Junior/senior High School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Whaling City Junior/senior High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Whaling City Junior/senior High School has 13.3% math proficiency and 4.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Whaling City Junior/senior High School a charter school?
No, Whaling City Junior/senior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Whaling City Junior/senior High School a Title I school?
No, Whaling City Junior/senior High School is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 179
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Bristol County
- Phone
- (508) 997-4511
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
New Bedford- District Enrollment
- 12,488
- Schools in District
- 24
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,022
- District Rank
- #3 of 24
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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