Public schools in New Bedford, MA
27 open public schools with an address in New Bedford, operated by 4 education agencies. Compare size, staffing, grade spans, and school type, then confirm assignment with the district.
Public schools
27
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
Reported students
16,206
27 schools reporting · NCES 2024–25
Median student–teacher ratio
11.3:1
Massachusetts median 11.8:1
Charter schools
2
0 virtual
An overview of New Bedford public schools
The federal directory lists 27 public schools in New Bedford, MA: 18 elementary, 3 middle, 4 high, 2 combined or other. The 27 schools that reported 2024–25 membership enrolled 16,206 students, an average of 600 per school. The largest campus is New Bedford High (2,878 students), and the largest elementary school is Alma del Mar Charter School (1,042).
New Bedford operates the most schools here (24), and 2 regular districts have at least one New Bedford campus, plus 2 charter, service, or other agencies. City names come from school mailing addresses, which often differ from district or municipal boundaries.
Across schools that reported staffing, the median student–teacher ratio is 11.3:1, similar to the statewide school median of 11.8:1. A ratio counts classroom-teacher FTE against total enrollment, so specialized programs and part-time staffing can move it; ask schools for actual class sizes by grade.
School choice options include 2 charter schools. Application windows and lotteries usually open months before the school year.
Among 5 high and combined schools with 2021–22 civil-rights data, 3 reported students enrolled in AP courses and 2 of 5 reported computer-science classes. Confirm current course catalogs directly with each school.
School districts and agencies serving New Bedford
New Bedford
Public school district
24 schools in New Bedford
Alma del Mar Charter School (District)
Independent charter agency
1 school in New Bedford
Global Learning Charter Public (District)
Independent charter agency
1 school in New Bedford
Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical
Public school district
1 school in New Bedford
Elementary schools in New Bedford
18| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln New Bedford | KG–05 | 687 | 13.8:1 | |
| Alfred J Gomes New Bedford | PK–05 | 623 | 10.7:1 | |
| Alma del Mar Charter School Alma del Mar Charter School (District) · Charter | KG–08 | 1,042 | 11.1:1 | |
| Betsey B Winslow New Bedford | KG–05 | 227 | 13:1 | |
| Carlos Pacheco New Bedford | KG–05 | 242 | 9.5:1 | |
| Casimir Pulaski New Bedford | PK–05 | 551 | 12:1 | |
| Charles S Ashley New Bedford | KG–05 | 272 | 13.4:1 | |
| Elizabeth Carter Brooks New Bedford | KG–05 | 261 | 12.6:1 | |
| Ellen R Hathaway New Bedford | KG–05 | 201 | 9.6:1 | |
| Elwyn G Campbell New Bedford | PK–05 | 267 | 9.3:1 | |
| Hayden/McFadden New Bedford | KG–05 | 748 | 12.7:1 | |
| Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School New Bedford | PK–05 | 388 | 11.5:1 | |
| James B Congdon New Bedford | KG–05 | 299 | 10.6:1 | |
| Jireh Swift New Bedford | PK–05 | 204 | 10.6:1 | |
| John B Devalles New Bedford | KG–05 | 292 | 11.2:1 | |
| Sgt Wm H Carney Academy New Bedford | KG–05 | 618 | 12.3:1 | |
| Thomas R Rodman New Bedford | KG–05 | 200 | 11:1 | |
| William H Taylor New Bedford | PK–05 | 267 | 12.6:1 |
Middle schools in New Bedford
3| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keith Middle School New Bedford | 06–08 | 949 | 10.6:1 | |
| Normandin Middle School New Bedford | 06–08 | 990 | 11.8:1 | |
| Roosevelt Middle School New Bedford | 06–08 | 759 | 10.1:1 |
High schools in New Bedford
4| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Learning Charter Public School Global Learning Charter Public (District) · Charter | 05–12 | 508 | 10.5:1 | |
| Gr New Bedford Vocational Technical Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical · Career and Technical School | 09–12 | 2,151 | 11.3:1 | |
| New Bedford High New Bedford | 09–12 | 2,878 | 13.5:1 | |
| Whaling City Junior/Senior High School New Bedford | 06–12 | 200 | 11.5:1 |
Combined, early-childhood, and other schools in New Bedford
2| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Avery Parker New Bedford | PK–PK | 289 | 12:1 | |
| Trinity Day Academy New Bedford | 04–12 | 93 | 6.5:1 |
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White33.9%
- Hispanic45%
- Black14.3%
- Asian0.7%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.3%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial5.7%
Enrollment-weighted across 27 New Bedford schools with NCES CCD 2024–25 race/ethnicity counts (16,206 students). Privacy suppression can leave small gaps.
Questions about public schools in New Bedford
How many public schools are in New Bedford, MA?
The current NCES directory lists 27 open public schools with a location address in New Bedford: 18 elementary, 3 middle, 4 high, 2 combined or other. Together they reported 16,206 students in 2024–25. The count includes charter, alternative, and special-purpose public schools; it excludes private schools.
Which school districts serve New Bedford?
Schools with an address in New Bedford belong to 4 education agencies, led by New Bedford (24 schools), Alma del Mar Charter School (District) (1 school), Global Learning Charter Public (District) (1 school). A mailing city is not an attendance boundary; confirm the district for a specific address.
What is the largest public high school in New Bedford?
New Bedford High reported the largest high-school enrollment in New Bedford, with 2,878 students in 2024–25 (grades 09–12). Size is a description of the campus, not a quality measure.
Are there charter schools in New Bedford?
Yes. 2 of the 27 public schools in New Bedford are identified as charter schools in the NCES directory, including Alma del Mar Charter School, Global Learning Charter Public School. Charter schools are public and tuition-free, but admission usually uses an application or lottery.
What is the typical student–teacher ratio in New Bedford schools?
The median reported student–teacher ratio across New Bedford public schools is 11.3:1, similar to the Massachusetts school median of 11.8:1. The ratio divides enrollment by classroom-teacher FTE; it is not an average class size.
Does living in New Bedford guarantee a seat at a specific school?
No. Assignment depends on the district's attendance boundaries, programs, and enrollment rules, which can split a city or cross city lines. Use the district profile and its official boundary or school-locator tool to confirm the assigned school for an exact address.
Nearby Massachusetts cities
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data 2025–26 preliminary directory (schools, grades, addresses, charter status) and 2024–25 nonfiscal files (enrollment, teachers, race/ethnicity, meal eligibility); Civil Rights Data Collection 2021–22 (AP and computer science). Cities are grouped by school mailing address. Methodology · All Massachusetts cities