Top Rankings
New Bedford School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Massachusetts for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 5 public middle schools serving 2,991 students in New Bedford School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in Massachusetts.
Public Middle Schools in New Bedford School District have an average math proficiency score of 18% (versus the Massachusetts public middle school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 23% (versus the 42% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Massachusetts public middle school average of 53% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (MA)
# Schools
24 Schools
522 Schools
# Students
12,505 Students
300,339 Students
# Teachers
1,061 Teachers
26,170 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
New Bedford School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 391 school districts in Massachusetts (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 80% has increased from 59% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#359 out of 395 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
22%
42%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
23%
44%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
21%
44%
Graduation Rate
80%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.67
0.69
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
7%
% Hispanic
46%
28%
% Black
15%
13%
% White
32%
47%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $21,552 in this school district is less than the state median of $23,855. The school district revenue/student has grown by 13% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $21,948 is less than the state median of $24,613. The school district spending/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$270 MM
$21,850 MM
Spending
$275 MM
$22,544 MM
Revenue / Student
$21,552
$23,855
Spending / Student
$21,948
$24,613
Best New Bedford School District Public Middle Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Whaling City Junior/senior High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
455 County Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
Gr: 7-12 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #22.
Roosevelt Middle School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
119 Frederick Street
New Bedford, MA 02744
(508) 997-4511
New Bedford, MA 02744
(508) 997-4511
Gr: 6-8 | 759 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #33.
Keith Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
225 Hathaway Blvd
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
Gr: 6-8 | 949 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #44.
Normandin Middle School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
81 Felton St
New Bedford, MA 02745
(508) 985-4300
New Bedford, MA 02745
(508) 985-4300
Gr: 6-8 | 990 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #55.
Trinity Day Academy
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
181 Hillman Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
Gr: 6-12 | 93 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
