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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best New Bedford Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 27 public schools serving 16,206 students in New Bedford, MA (there are 9 private schools, serving 1,231 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in New Bedford, MA are educated in public schools (compared to the MA state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in New Bedford, MA are William H Taylor, Gr New Bedford Vocational Technical and Elizabeth Carter Brooks. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
New Bedford, MA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 25% (versus the Massachusetts public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 28% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in New Bedford have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Massachusetts public schools.
Minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Massachusetts public school average of 49% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in New Bedford, MA (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
William H Taylor
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
71 Portland Street
New Bedford, MA 02744
(508) 997-4511
Gr: PK-5 | 267 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #22.
Gr New Bedford Vocational Technical
Vocational School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1121 Ashley Blvd
New Bedford, MA 02745
(508) 998-3321
Gr: 9-12 | 2,151 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #33.
Elizabeth Carter Brooks
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
212 Nemasket Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
Gr: K-5 | 261 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #44.
Casimir Pulaski
(Math: 48% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1097 Braley Rd
New Bedford, MA 02745
(508) 997-4511
Gr: PK-5 | 551 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #55.
James B Congdon
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
50 Hemlock Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
Gr: K-5 | 299 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #66.
Whaling City Junior/senior High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
455 County Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
Gr: 7-12 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #77.
Betsey B Winslow
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
561 Allen Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
Gr: K-5 | 227 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #88.
Thomas R Rodman
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
497 Mill Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
Gr: K-5 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #99.
Elwyn G Campbell
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
145 Essex Street
New Bedford, MA 02745
(508) 997-4511
Gr: PK-5 | 267 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1010.
Alma Del Mar Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
515 Belleville Ave
New Bedford, MA 02746
(774) 206-6827
Gr: K-8 | 1,042 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #1111.
Ellen R Hathaway
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
256 Court Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
Gr: K-5 | 201 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1212.
Charles S Ashley
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
122 Rochambeau Street
New Bedford, MA 02745
(508) 997-4511
Gr: K-5 | 272 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Jireh Swift
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2203 Acushnet Avenue
New Bedford, MA 02745
(508) 997-4511
Gr: PK-5 | 204 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
John Avery Parker
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
705 County Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
Gr: PK-5 | 289 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #1515.
Global Learning Charter Public School
Charter School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
101 Nye St.
New Bedford, MA 02746
(508) 991-4105
Gr: 5-12 | 508 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #1616.
Abraham Lincoln
(Math: 29% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
445 Ashley Blvd
New Bedford, MA 02745
(508) 997-4511
Gr: K-5 | 687 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #1717.
John B Devalles
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
120 Katherine Street
New Bedford, MA 02744
(508) 997-4511
Gr: K-5 | 292 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #1818.
Roosevelt Middle School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
119 Frederick Street
New Bedford, MA 02744
(508) 997-4511
Gr: 6-8 | 759 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #1919.
Keith Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
225 Hathaway Blvd
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
Gr: 6-8 | 949 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #2020.
Sgt Wm H Carney Academy
(Math: 12% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
247 Elm Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
Gr: PK-5 | 618 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #2121.
Normandin Middle School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
81 Felton St
New Bedford, MA 02745
(508) 985-4300
Gr: 6-8 | 990 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #2222.
Alfred J Gomes
(Math: 22% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
286 S Second Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
Gr: PK-5 | 623 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #2323.
Carlos Pacheco
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
261 Mt Pleasant Stre
New Bedford, MA 02746
(508) 997-4511
Gr: K-5 | 242 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #2424.
New Bedford High School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
230 Hathaway Blvd
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
Gr: 9-12 | 2,878 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #2525.
Trinity Day Academy
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
181 Hillman Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 997-4511
Gr: 6-12 | 93 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #2626.
Hayden/mcfadden
(Math: 16% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
361 Cedar Grove
New Bedford, MA 02746
(508) 997-4511
Gr: PK-5 | 748 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #2727.
Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
47 Emery Street
New Bedford, MA 02744
(508) 997-4511
Gr: PK-5 | 388 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 76%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in New Bedford, MA?
The top-ranked public schools in New Bedford, MA include William H Taylor, Gr New Bedford Vocational Technical and Elizabeth Carter Brooks.
How many public schools are located in New Bedford?
27 public schools are located in New Bedford.
What percentage of students in New Bedford go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in New Bedford are educated in public schools (compared to the MA state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in New Bedford?
New Bedford public schools minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Massachusetts public schools average of 49% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in New Bedford are often viewed compared to one another?

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