Rhode Island is the #48 largest school system in the United States, serving 135,639 students across the 317 public schools for the 2024-25 school year (there are 174 private schools, serving 22,919 students). 86% of all K-12 students in Rhode Island attend public schools, compared to the national average of 89%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Rhode Island is 27%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 33%.
The top-ranked public schools in Rhode Island are Nayatt School, Barrington High School, and Community School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 48%, with the majority being Hispanic and the student:teacher ratio is 13:1.
Student by Ethnicity
(RI) School Average
American Indian
1%
Asian
3%
Hispanic
30%
Black
9%
White
52%
Two or more races
5%
Top Ranked Public Schools in Rhode Island (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Nayatt School
Magnet School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-3
400 Nayatt Road
Barrington, RI 02806
(401) 247-3175
Barrington, RI 02806
(401) 247-3175
Rank: #22.
Barrington High School
Magnet School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 68% (Top 5%)
Reading: 83% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
220 Lincoln Avenue
Barrington, RI 02806
(401) 247-3150
Barrington, RI 02806
(401) 247-3150
Rank: #33.
Community School
Magnet School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 76% (Top 1%)
Reading: 69% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-5
15 Arnold Mills Road
Cumberland, RI 02864
(401) 333-5724
Cumberland, RI 02864
(401) 333-5724
Rank: #44.
Jamestown School-melrose
Magnet School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 70-74% (Top 5%)
Reading: 65-69% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-4
76 Melrose Avenue
Jamestown, RI 02835
(401) 423-7020
Jamestown, RI 02835
(401) 423-7020
Rank: #55.
East Greenwich High School
Magnet School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 60-64% (Top 5%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 5%)
Grades: 9-12
300 Avenger Drive
East Greenwich, RI 02818
(401) 398-1574
East Greenwich, RI 02818
(401) 398-1574
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Clayville School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 65-69% (Top 5%)
Reading: 65-69% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-5
3 George Washington Highway
Clayville, RI 02815
(401) 647-4115
Clayville, RI 02815
(401) 647-4115
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Sowams Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 65-69% (Top 5%)
Reading: 65-69% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-3
364 Sowams Road
Barrington, RI 02806
(401) 247-3180
Barrington, RI 02806
(401) 247-3180
Rank: #88.
Lincoln Central Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 70-74% (Top 5%)
Reading: 60-64% (Top 10%)
Grades: K-5
1081 Great Road
Lincoln, RI 02865
(401) 334-2800
Lincoln, RI 02865
(401) 334-2800
Rank: #9 - 139. - 13.
Barrington Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 61% (Top 10%)
Reading: 72% (Top 5%)
Grades: 6-8
261 Middle Highway
Barrington, RI 02806
(401) 247-3160
Barrington, RI 02806
(401) 247-3160
Rank: #9 - 139. - 13.
Forest Park El. School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 65-69% (Top 5%)
Reading: 60-64% (Top 10%)
Grades: K-5
50 Woodlawn Drive
North Kingstown, RI 02852
(401) 541-6380
North Kingstown, RI 02852
(401) 541-6380
Best Rhode Island Public Schools by County (2024-25)
Popular neighborhoods: Lower South Providence (8 schools), Federal Hill (7 schools), West End (7 schools), Hartford (6 schools), Valley Falls (5 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Rhode Island?
The top-ranked public schools in Rhode Island include Nayatt School, Barrington High School, and Community School.
How many public schools are located in Rhode Island?
317 public schools are located in Rhode Island.
What percentage of students in Rhode Island go to public school?
86% of all K-12 students in Rhode Island attend public schools (compared to the national average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Rhode Island?
Minority enrollment in Rhode Island is 48%, with the majority being Hispanic.
Which public schools in Rhode Island are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Rhode Island include: Riverside Middle School vs. Edward Martin Middle School, Nathanael Greene Middle School vs. Nathan Bishop Middle School, Cranston High School East vs. Cranston High School West
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