Portsmouth School District

29 Middle Road
Portsmouth, RI 02871
(District boundaries shown in map)
9/
10
Top 20%

Top Rankings

Portsmouth School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Rhode Island for:

Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 3 public elementary schools serving 1,353 students in Portsmouth School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public elementary schools in Rhode Island.
Public Elementary Schools in Portsmouth School District have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the Rhode Island public elementary school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 31% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Rhode Island public elementary school average of 49% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (RI)
# Schools
4 Schools
232 Schools
# Students
2,143 Students
89,628 Students
# Teachers
181 Teachers
6,950 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1

District Rank

Portsmouth School District, which is ranked within the top 20% of all 62 school districts in Rhode Island (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 94% has decreased from 96% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (RI)
#9 out of 63 school districts
(Top 20%)
This chart displays the overall district rank of Portsmouth  School District, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
50%
27%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Portsmouth  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Rhode Island by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
53%
33%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Portsmouth  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Rhode Island by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
56%
31%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Portsmouth  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Rhode Island by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
94%
83%
This chart displays public school graduation rate of Portsmouth  School District and public school graduation rate of Rhode Island by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.31
0.65
# American Indian Students
3 Students
659 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
50 Students
2,928 Students
% Asian Students
2%
3%
# Hispanic Students
159 Students
26,752 Students
% Hispanic Students
8%
30%
# Black Students
33 Students
7,772 Students
% Black Students
2%
9%
# White Students
1,774 Students
45,537 Students
% White Students
83%
51%
# Hawaiian Students
6 Students
145 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
114 Students
4,855 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
6%

Students by Grade:

# Students in PK Grade:
29
2,236
# Students in K Grade:
146
9,071
# Students in 1st Grade:
140
9,614
# Students in 2nd Grade:
136
9,986
# Students in 3rd Grade:
139
9,591
# Students in 4th Grade:
141
9,843
# Students in 5th Grade:
153
9,898
# Students in 6th Grade:
155
9,834
# Students in 7th Grade:
147
9,606
# Students in 8th Grade:
167
9,663
# Students in 9th Grade:
187
73
# Students in 10th Grade:
212
87
# Students in 11th Grade:
199
76
# Students in 12th Grade:
192
50
# Ungraded Students:
-
-

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $21,062 in this school district is less than the state median of $22,250. The school district revenue/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $21,306 is less than the state median of $21,467. The school district spending/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
This School District
This State (RI)
Total Revenue
$45 MM
$2,998 MM
This chart displays total revenue of Portsmouth  School District and median value from total revenues of all school districts in Rhode Island by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending
$46 MM
$2,892 MM
This chart displays total spending of Portsmouth  School District and median value from total spendings of all school districts in Rhode Island by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Revenue / Student
$21,062
$22,250
This chart displays average revenue per public school student in Portsmouth  School District and average revenue per public school student of all school districts in Rhode Island by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending / Student
$21,306
$21,467
This chart displays average spending per public school student in Portsmouth  School District and average spending per public school student of all school districts in Rhode Island by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Best Portsmouth School District Public Elementary Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Howard Hathaway School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
53 Tallman Avenue
Portsmouth, RI 02871
(401) 683-0500
Grades: K-4
| 401 students
Rank: #22.
Melville School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1351 West Main Road
Portsmouth, RI 02871
(401) 683-1650
Grades: PK-4
| 330 students
Rank: #33.
Portsmouth Middle School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
125 Jepson Lane
Portsmouth, RI 02871
(401) 849-3700
Grades: 5-8
| 622 students

Recent Articles

What Is A Charter School?
What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
Discover the 10 compelling reasons why high school sports are beneficial for students. This comprehensive article explores how athletics enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and develop crucial life skills. From improved fitness and time management to leadership development and community representation, learn why participating in high school sports can be a game-changer for students' overall success and well-being.
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
We explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • District size: 4 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 2,143 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 12:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 17%
  • : 94% (Top 20% in RI)
  • : Top 20%
  • : 50% (Top 20%)
  • : 53% (Top 20%)
  • : 56% (Top 20%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), RI Dept. of Education

Quick Links