The top reported proficiency rate is 15% in Science. The lowest is 8% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on John Avery Parker
John Avery Parker is an elementary school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade within the New Bedford public school system. The school is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet program. It sits on County Street in New Bedford, a densely populated, historically industrial port city where the commercial fishing industry drives the economy and a strong Portuguese-American community shapes the cultural character. The city is also investing in an emerging offshore wind energy sector.
The school has an enrollment that is demographically diverse. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial share of White students, a smaller but notable share of Black students, and a portion of students who identify as two or more races. Asian and American Indian or Alaska Native populations are very small. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, receive special education services, or are English learners were not available, so a family may wish to ask the school directly about the extent of these supports.
John Avery Parker's state assessment results, from the NextGen MCAS, show proficiency rates that are low for Massachusetts. In math, the share of students scoring proficient or above is modest. In English language arts, the share is similarly modest. In science, a subject tested only in fifth grade, the share is also low. The school is positioned in the bottom quartile among districts in Bristol County for overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades, according to the comparison data available. Because the school serves only elementary grades, it does not have a graduation rate. Recent trends show that proficiency rates in both math and English language arts have fluctuated from year to year and have moved downward from a higher point reached a few years ago.
The school environment reflects a standard elementary setting. Governance is through the New Bedford School Committee, which has approved a new district strategic plan for 2024-2027 that emphasizes early childhood education, literacy, college and career readiness, and family engagement. The district budget for the most recent fiscal year included targeted investments in curriculum, technology, and social-emotional learning. A parent may also want to know that the district has experienced declining enrollment, which has led to public discussions about potential school facility consolidation. Such changes could affect school assignments and class sizes in the future.
The housing market in New Bedford's ZIP code shows home values that are above the national benchmark but below the state benchmark, with rents rising notably year over year. The affordability picture, when compared to national income and rent data, suggests that homeownership may be a stretch for many families.
For a family considering this school, the picture is straightforward. John Avery Parker is a neighborhood elementary school in a historic, working port city, serving a diverse student body. Its academic proficiency results are low relative to state and county peers, and the recent trend has been downward. The district is investing in new strategies and supports, but the academic data as it stands is soft. A family would want to understand what interventions and programs are in place to address the low proficiency levels and how the school supports its students' foundational learning. The broader district context of declining enrollment and potential facility consolidation is also worth considering, as it may bring changes to the school's role in the years ahead.
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