Fall River, MA - District Data

Original Research by School Decision on Fall River

Fall River Public Schools is a large urban district serving students from early childhood through twelfth grade. The district operates a substantial number of school buildings, including a comprehensive high school, several middle and elementary schools, early learning centers, and alternative campuses. With a sizable enrollment, the district is one of the larger systems in the region. The student body is diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group forming an absolute majority. White students make up the largest share, followed by a substantial Hispanic population, a notable Black student population, and a smaller but present Asian student community. A significant portion of students are identified as two or more races. Data on the share of students from low-income households, students with disabilities, and English learners was not available in this dataset, so a parent may want to ask the district directly about these support populations.

The district’s performance on state assessments is a soft spot. Across math, English language arts, and science for grades three through eight, the share of students scoring proficient or above is in the bottom quartile among Bristol County’s districts. On the NextGen MCAS, the district’s overall proficiency index is well below the county midpoint. The rate of chronic absenteeism is very high, also landing in the bottom quartile, which is a strong signal that getting students to school consistently is a challenge the district is likely working to address. A parent considering this district may want to look into how the schools are working to improve academic outcomes and attendance. Per-pupil current spending falls in the middle range among the county’s districts and is on the upper half, indicating that the district invests at a level comparable to or slightly above many of its neighbors, but that spending has not yet translated into higher test scores. Graduation rate data was not available, so that important measure could not be evaluated.

Housing in the Fall River area is relatively affordable by Massachusetts standards. Home values and rents are below the state median, though both have seen modest recent increases. The local housing market shows a high number of pending sales relative to active listings, suggesting a competitive market for buyers. Renting is less expensive than buying even with a typical down payment, making it a more accessible option for many families. The district spans Fall River itself as well as portions of adjacent towns, so where you live within the district boundaries can affect your housing costs and school assignment.

The data did not include information on the district’s specific program offerings, such as Advanced Placement courses, career and technical education pathways, or specialized academies. It also lacked detail on the district’s strategic priorities or recent initiatives. These are common gaps for a district this size, and a family would want to check the district website and talk to school staff about what is offered at the high school level and beyond. The district operates an early learning center, which is a resource for families with young children.

Overall, Fall River Public Schools is a large, diverse urban district where affordability of housing is a draw, but where academic proficiency rates are low and chronic absenteeism is a significant concern. The district spends at a solid level per pupil, yet outcomes lag behind many peers in the county. A parent weighing this district would want to supplement this data with a visit to schools, conversations about what programs are available for students at different levels, and an understanding of how the district is addressing its achievement and attendance challenges.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

10,656

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 33%

Black 12%

White 43%

Asian 3%

Two+ 9%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

18%

38%

Gr 4

15%

35%

Gr 5

16%

34%

Gr 6

15%

38%

Gr 7

15%

30%

Gr 8

16%

36%

Gr 38

16%

35%

Math

Gr 3

19%

40%

Gr 4

21%

48%

Gr 5

16%

34%

Gr 6

11%

39%

Gr 7

18%

Gr 8

12%

24%

Gr 38

15%

34%

Science

Gr 5

23%

41%

Gr 8

17%

Gr 38

15%

29%

Social studies

Gr 8

10%

25%

Schools in this District

18 schools are officially reported under this district.

B M C Durfee High

Talbot Innovation School

James Tansey

John J Doran

Matthew J Kuss Middle

Carlton M. Viveiros Elementary School

Mary Fonseca Elementary School

Letourneau Elementary School

Henry Lord Community School

Stone PK-12 School

Resiliency Preparatory Academy

Fall River Early Learning Center

FRPS Early Learning Center

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

1 grade reported

18%

Grades 3-8

English Language Arts

1 grade reported

19%

Grades 3-8

Science

1 grade reported

18%

Grades 3-8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

13%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$517,499

Year-over-year change+2.4%

Range across 7 ZIP codes$438K to $669K

vs. state typical0.78x

vs. national typical1.41x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (7 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
02720	Fall River	$458K	+1.6%	39.8%
02790	Westport	$669K	+3.8%	14.3%
02717	Freetown	$604K	+3.7%	13.7%
02721	Fall River	$447K	+0.2%	12.2%
02747	Dartmouth	$586K	+4.8%	9.9%
02724	Fall River	$438K	+2.0%	5.4%
02723	Fall River	$441K	+3.4%	4.8%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$1,823/mo

Year-over-year change+3.3%

Range across 4 ZIP codes$1,740 to $1,954/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (4 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
02720	Fall River	$1,838	+3.7%	39.8%
02721	Fall River	$1,740	+2.1%	12.2%
02724	Fall River	$1,954	—	5.4%
02723	Fall River	$1,765	—	4.8%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$2,611/mo

Home price / national median income6.2x

Annual rent / national median income26.1%

Est. mortgage exceeds rent by$788/mo

Market Activity: Bristol County

Median listing price$575,000

Median listing price YoY-5.0%

Median price per sq ft$330

Median price per sq ft YoY-0.9%

Median days on market30.3 days

Median days on market YoY+4.3%

Active listings633

Active listings YoY+11.6%

New listings548

New listings YoY+7.0%

Pending listings769

Pending listings YoY+457.3%

Hotness: median listing price$577,950

Hotness: median listing price YoY-3.7%

Supply score94.4

Supply score YoY+0.8%

Demand score88.4

Demand score YoY-0.5%

Median listing price (12 months)

Median price per sq ft (12 months)

Median days on market (12 months)

Active listings (12 months)

New listings (12 months)

Pending listings (12 months)

Hotness: median listing price (12 months)

Supply score (12 months)

Demand score (12 months)

Comparison

State typical home value$661,755 (+1.5% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.