The top reported proficiency rate is 30% in Science. The lowest is 13% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Ellen R Hathaway
Ellen R Hathaway is an elementary school in New Bedford serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It is a regular public school within the New Bedford Public Schools district. The school is located on Court Street in the city.
The student body is diverse. Hispanic or Latino students make up the largest share, followed by white students and then Black or African American students. Smaller numbers of students are Asian or identify with two or more races. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, receive special education services, or are English learners was not available in the source data, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about these support structures.
On the most recent state assessments, the NextGen MCAS, student proficiency rates were below the midpoint among districts in Bristol County. In English language arts, roughly a quarter of students scored at the proficient level or above. In math, the share was lower, and in science, it was just under a third. The school's overall proficiency index, which averages results across tested subjects and grades, placed it in the bottom quartile among the county's districts. A parent considering this school may want to discuss with the school how it supports students who are not yet meeting proficiency benchmarks and what academic interventions are in place.
Looking at multi-year trends, the school's proficiency rates have moved up and down. In English language arts, the rate was higher in the years before the pandemic, then declined and has remained in a lower range since. In math, the rate rose for a period after the pandemic, then dropped in the most recent two years. The most recent year's math proficiency rate was the lowest in the available trend data. A parent may want to ask the school about the factors behind these shifts and what current strategies are being used to raise achievement.
The school serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, so there is no graduation rate to report. The enrollment is moderate for an elementary school. The student body is majority Hispanic or Latino and white, with a substantial Black or African American population. Data on the share of students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the source data.
New Bedford is a densely populated, historically industrial port city. Its commercial fishing port is the highest-grossing in the nation, and the city has a strong Portuguese-American community. The downtown and waterfront areas are walkable and host cultural attractions, including the Whaling National Historical Park and a Seaport Cultural District. The city is positioning itself as a hub for the offshore wind industry. Housing values in the area are moderate relative to the state, and the rental market has seen notable increases.
The New Bedford district has a new strategic plan for 2024-2027 that prioritizes early childhood education, literacy, college and career readiness, and family engagement. The district also approved a budget increase for fiscal year 2025 with investments in curriculum, technology, and social-emotional learning. Declining enrollment has prompted discussions about potential school facility consolidation, which could affect school assignments and class sizes in the future.
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