Our Mission
Nativity Preparatory School is an independent, tuition-free middle school that provides a comprehensive education tailored to serve boys of all faiths in grades 5 – 8 from economically-disadvantaged families in the Greater New Bedford area. Our program graduates young men who are confident, self-disciplined, intellectually ambitious, and socially and academically prepared for high school; young men who are ready to serve others and be positive citizens in life.
Program Overview
The core curriculum is rigorous and consists of English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. Students have weekly electives, art and health/physical education classes. Students attend frequent field trips including free Saturday excursions and service learning opportunities. Eighth graders attend STEM classes at New Bedford Research & Robotics, and fifth graders participate in The Science of Sailing at the Community Boating Center weekly. Secondary school placement counseling is provided for all students in grades 7 and 8, and community mentors connect with students on a weekly basis. The Nativity for Life Program provides ongoing engagement and support for alumni.
Doors open at 7:15am and students are dismissed at 4:30. After school activities include athletics (basketball, flag football, and soccer) and a variety of club offerings (CBC, YOU, chess, culinary, volleyball, New Bedford Explorations), breakfast and lunch are provided.
School History
Nativity Prep opened its doors in the fall of 2000 to twelve 5th and 6th grade boys. Executive Director Barry Hynes, former teacher at Nativity Mission School in New York, and founder of Nativity Preparatory School of Boston, responded to the request of the Highland Street Foundation to start a tuition-free independent school for boys in New Bedford. Modeled after other Nativity schools and influenced by the Jesuits, the school was designed to serve boys from low-income backgrounds.
In 2000, the Highland Street Foundation purchased 66 Spring Street from the Northeast Maritime Institute. Barry recruited a principal with teaching experience at Nativity Prep Boston and, with three mission-driven teachers committed to working six days a week as classroom teachers, coaches, janitors, advisors, and office staff, he worked to adapt the Nativity model to New Bedford. While rooted in Jesuit traditions, the school has no diocesan affiliation and is non-religious.
In 2006, Nativity Prep was accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, and in 2013 the Highland Street Foundation transferred the deed of the school buildings to Nativity Prep.
Nativity now boasts an annual enrollment of 60 students in grades 5-8. Nativity Prep graduates attend public, parochial and independent high schools, including Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, Bishop Stang, Deerfield Academy, Groton School, St. Paul’s School, Tabor Academy, and St. Andrew’s School.