The top reported proficiency rate is 21% in English language arts. The lowest is 7% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Thomas R Rodman
Thomas R. Rodman is an elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in New Bedford, Massachusetts. It is a regular public school within the New Bedford Public Schools district.
The school is small for its grade band, with a student body that reflects the city's diverse demographics. White and Hispanic students each make up a substantial share of the enrollment, with Black students and students who identify as two or more races present in smaller proportions. Beyond this, the 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, leaving a gap in a parent’s understanding of the school’s support needs.
Academically, the most recent state assessment results through the Massachusetts Next-Generation MCAS show that proficiency rates across all tested subjects are low that year. This places Rodman’s overall proficiency index in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in Bristol County. The data also reveals a clear downward trend over several years in both English language arts and math, with proficiency rates having dropped steadily from higher points in the years prior to the pandemic. A parent may want to understand what initiatives are in place to address this trajectory.
The school serves only elementary grades, so there is no graduation rate to consider. The district’s three-year strategic plan, approved for 2024 through 2027, emphasizes expanding early childhood education, improving literacy, and increasing college and career readiness, though the last of those applies more directly to the district’s secondary schools. The district has also been experiencing declining enrollment, which has prompted discussions about potential school facility consolidation and repurposing, a factor that could affect long-term school assignments.
New Bedford itself is a densely populated, historically industrial port city. Its commercial fishing port is the highest-grossing in the nation, sustaining a large seafood processing industry, and the city has a growing offshore wind sector. There is a strong cultural identity shaped by a large Portuguese-American community. The downtown historic district and waterfront are the center of civic and cultural life, with a walkable grid and seasonal festivals. Housing in the area is moderately priced relative to the state, but the local real estate market shows signs of activity, with a notable jump in pending listings and a median listing price that has softened slightly compared to a year ago. Rent for a typical apartment in the area consumes a moderate portion of the area’s median household income, and the estimated monthly mortgage payment for a median-priced home is higher than that rent.
For a family considering Rodman, the picture is one of a small neighborhood elementary school in a historic and economically diverse port city, operating within a district that has set clear academic priorities but faces persistent challenges in raising student performance. The low proficiency rates and the multi-year decline are the most pressing facts a parent would want to investigate further with the school and district to understand the specific instructional support and interventions available.
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