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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change+1.33 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.6Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Math vs. State Avg-24.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-42 pts
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)17%
vs. Expected+0.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
College Readiness6.8Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.6Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,918

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%).

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 13.3%
School
State
50.6%
ELA Proficiency 4.7%
School
State
56.3%

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.

2018
2019
Math
5%
ELA
1.7%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
12%
2023
Math
33%
ELA
7%
2024
2025
ELA
6%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.0/10
66th percentile in MA
Academic
4.6/10
4.6/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
88 Very Walkable
Transit Score
54 Good Transit
Bike Score
58 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 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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

New Bedford
District Enrollment
12,488
Schools in District
24
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,022
District Rank
#3 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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