community+profile

The City of Taunton is one of the nation's largest cities geographically with 49.6 square miles of land; approximately 50% of which is developed. In recent years the city has experienced a decrease in population. In 2005 the population was 56,781 and in 2008 the popuation was 55,702.

Taunton, a traditional working class, manufacturing/service-based municipality, is home to a very diverse population which includes Portuguese, Latino, African, Cape Verdean, French, Irish and Italian Americans. Like other communities in the region, Taunton is experiencing a rise in the Latino and African-American population. Overall the school system's minority population makes up approximately 25.20 % of the total 7,919 (as of October 2009) student enrollment.

Unemployment in Taunton is currently at 10.2% (2009). The school system's free and reduced lunch population makes up more than 42.5 % of our total enrollment. Three of our schools have over 25% of the students receiving free and reduced lunch. Four schools have over 30% of the student receiving free and reduced lunch. Four schools have over 50% receiving free and reduced lunch. Three schools have over 60% receiving free and reduced lunch and one school has over 70% of the student population receiving free and reduced lunch.

At the present time, the Taunton Public Schools utilize fourteen (14) separate buildings that house fifteen schools. There are nine (9) elementary schools (housing kindergarten through grade four students), four (4) middle schools (housing grade five through grade eight students), one (1) high school (housing grade nine through grade twelve students) and one (1) pre school facility. The district in currently undergoing a renovation of the Taunton High school facility. As part of this renovation process the Parker Middle School (which had been housed within a wing of the High School building) was moved to a new addition attached to the Taunton High School. The new Parker School facility opened in September 2009. The dedication is planned for January 2010.

Currently, an extended day program for children in grades kindergarten through eight focusing on supervised child care is offered at 11 district schools. This program is in response to the school communities understanding the need to provide safe, supervised recreation to children of working parents.

At one time, a school based health centers, supported and staffed with medical staff from Morton Hospital had been established at Taunton High School and Friedman Middle School. These facilities offered free medical services to our students, their families and residents. There is no longer any program at the Taunton High School. The only school based health center is at the Friedman Middle School. Free care is availble if the student has no health insurance. If the student has health insurance they utilize that for payment.