The top reported proficiency rate is 11% in English language arts. The lowest is 9% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School
Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in New Bedford, a densely populated, historically industrial port city. The city is defined by its commercial fishing industry, the nation’s highest-grossing fishing port, and a strong Portuguese-American cultural presence. The downtown and waterfront areas are walkable and host civic anchors including the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and the Whaling Museum. The school, located on Emery Street, sits within this broader urban context.
The school’s enrollment is in the mid-hundreds, a size typical for an elementary school serving this grade span. The student body is diverse, with a majority of students identifying as Hispanic, followed by White, Black, and smaller shares of students who are Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, or of 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. A parent may want to ask the school directly about these support populations, as they often shape the resources and staffing a school provides.
On the Massachusetts Next-Generation MCAS assessments, Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School’s proficiency rates in English language arts, math, and science were modest. In English language arts and math, the portion of students scoring proficient or above was in the low teens, and in science it was similarly low. These results place the school’s overall academic performance in the bottom quartile among elementary schools within Bristol County, based on an index that averages proficiency across tested subjects and grades. Participation rates on the assessments were high, meaning nearly all enrolled students took the tests.
Looking at trends over time, proficiency rates have declined from levels seen several years ago. In English language arts, the school had reported higher proficiency rates in the period before the pandemic, and rates have been lower and fairly steady in more recent years. In math, a similar pattern is visible: rates were higher in earlier years and have stayed low since 2021. The most recent year’s figures are in line with the past few years, showing no clear sign of a recovery to prior levels. This trajectory is something a family may wish to discuss with the school to understand what initiatives or supports are in place.
The district, New Bedford Public Schools, has adopted a strategic plan for 2024-2027 that emphasizes expanding early childhood education, improving literacy, increasing college and career readiness, and strengthening family engagement. The district has also approved a budget increase for fiscal year 2025 with targeted investments in curriculum, technology, and social-emotional learning. At the same time, the district has experienced declining enrollment, which has prompted public discussion about potential school facility consolidation. Such changes could affect school assignments and class sizes for families in the years ahead.
Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary is a regular public school operating within this district’s framework. For a family considering this school, the academic data shows a place where the majority of students are not yet reaching state proficiency benchmarks, and where recent trends have been flat at lower levels. The school serves a diverse student body in an urban, port-city setting with a distinctive cultural and economic identity. A parent may want to learn more about what academic interventions or enrichment programs the school offers and how the district’s strategic priorities translate into daily classroom experience at this particular building.
See more original research from School Decision →