Rhode Island is the #48 largest school system in the United States, serving 133,322 students across the 312 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 165 private schools, serving 22,902 students). 85% of all K-12 students in Rhode Island attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Rhode Island is 30%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 34%.
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 50%, with the majority being Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 13:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Rhode Island (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Nayatt School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 70-74% (Top 5%)
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
(Math: 69% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 69% (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
(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.
Sowams Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 70-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 65-69% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-3
364 Sowams Road
Barrington, RI 02806
(401) 247-3180
Barrington, RI 02806
(401) 247-3180
Rank: #55.
Jamestown School-melrose
(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: #66.
East Greenwich High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 60-64% (Top 10%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 5%)
Grades: 9-12
300 Avenger Drive
East Greenwich, RI 02818
(401) 398-1300
East Greenwich, RI 02818
(401) 398-1300
Rank: #77.
Barrington Middle School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 63% (Top 5%)
Reading: 72% (Top 5%)
Grades: 6-8
261 Middle Highway
Barrington, RI 02806
(401) 247-3160
Barrington, RI 02806
(401) 247-3160
Rank: #88.
Narragansett Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 70-74% (Top 5%)
Reading: 60-64% (Top 10%)
Grades: PK-4
55 Mumford Road
Narragansett, RI 02882
(401) 792-9420
Narragansett, RI 02882
(401) 792-9420
Rank: #99.
James H. Eldredge School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 70% (Top 5%)
Reading: 65% (Top 10%)
Grades: 3-5
101 First Avenue
East Greenwich, RI 02818
(401) 886-3246
East Greenwich, RI 02818
(401) 886-3246
Rank: #1010.
Clayville School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 60-64% (Top 10%)
Reading: 65-69% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-5
3 George Washington Highway
Clayville, RI 02815
(401) 647-4115
Clayville, RI 02815
(401) 647-4115
Overview
This State (RI)
US
# Schools
312 Schools
100,274 Schools
# Students
133,322 Students
49,273,234 Students
Showing 2016–2025. View full 39-year historical data
# Teachers
10,368 Teachers
3,176,846 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. View full 39-year historical data
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. View full 39-year historical data
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (RI)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
29%
41%
Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
35%
47%
Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
30%
43%
Graduation Rate
84.1%
87%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 13-year historical data
Eligible for Free Lunch
45%
50%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
9%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 27-year historical data
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.65
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# American Indian Students
980 Students
465,607 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
1%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 37-year historical data
# Asian Students
4,296 Students
2,805,284 Students
% Asian Students
3%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# Hispanic Students
40,452 Students
14,933,108 Students
% Hispanic Students
31%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# Black Students
12,188 Students
7,261,526 Students
% Black Students
9%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# White Students
66,835 Students
20,989,144 Students
% White Students
50%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# Hawaiian Students
246 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
7,046 Students
2,585,770 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 15-year historical data
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (RI)
Statewide Total Revenue
$3,510 MM
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Statewide Total Spending
$3,357 MM
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Revenue / Student
$26,325
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Spending / Student
$25,182
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Best Rhode Island Public Schools by County (2026-27)
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?
312 public schools are located in Rhode Island.
What percentage of students in Rhode Island go to public school?
85% of all K-12 students in Rhode Island attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Rhode Island?
Minority enrollment in Rhode Island is 50%, 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: Joseph L. Mccourt Middle School vs. North Cumberland Middle School, Nathanael Greene Middle School vs. Nathan Bishop Middle School, Riverside Middle School vs. Edward Martin Middle School
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