Beacon Charter High School for the Arts is a charter high school in Woonsocket, Rhode Island that first opened in 1997. It combines a high school college preparatory program with a visual, performing, and culinary arts. In September 2015, Beacon opened Founders Academy, serving grades 6–8.
Serving 199 students in grades 9-12, Beacon Charter School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Rhode Island for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤10% (which is lower than the Rhode Island state average of 27%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 40-49% (which is higher than the Rhode Island state average of 33%).
The student:teacher ratio of 11:1 is lower than the Rhode Island state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 51% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Rhode Island state average of 49% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Charter School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 199 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 11:1
- Minority Enrollment: 51%
- Graduation Rate: 80-89% (Btm 50% in RI)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: ≤10% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 40-49% (Top 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 20-29% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), RI Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Beacon Charter School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Rhode Island for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
School Overview
Beacon Charter School's student population of 199 students has declined by 13% over five school years.
The teacher population of 18 teachers has declined by 5% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
199 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
18 teachers
Year Founded
2003
School Rankings
Beacon Charter School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 289 schools in Rhode Island (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Beacon Charter School is 0.64, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.65. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#170 out of 289 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤10%
27%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-49%
33%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-29%
31%
Student : Teacher Ratio
11:1
13:1
American Indian
1%
1%
Asian
1%
4%
Hispanic
33%
30%
Black
8%
9%
White
49%
51%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
8%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
80-89%
83%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
40%
38%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), RI Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Knight
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Beacon Charter School's ranking?
Beacon Charter School is ranked #170 out of 289 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Rhode Island.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤10% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 27% RI state average), while 40-49% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 33% RI state average).
What is the graduation rate of Beacon Charter School?
The graduation rate of Beacon Charter School is 80-89%, which is lower than the Rhode Island state average of 83%.
How many students attend Beacon Charter School?
199 students attend Beacon Charter School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
49% of Beacon Charter School students are White, 33% of students are Hispanic, 8% of students are Black, 8% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Beacon Charter School?
Beacon Charter School has a student ration of 11:1, which is lower than the Rhode Island state average of 13:1.
What grades does Beacon Charter School offer ?
Beacon Charter School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Beacon Charter School part of?
Beacon Charter School is part of Beacon Charter School District.
School Reviews
5 9/6/2013
I am a current senior and I've had a great few years. There is no other school I would rather attend than this one. The teachers are all fun and know what they are doing. They take their time to make sure each individual understands the context.
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