Charles E. Shea High School, commonly known as Shea High School and previously known as Pawtucket West High School, is an American public secondary school at 485 East Avenue in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Shea is part of the Pawtucket School Department. The mascot is the "Shea High Raider".
Serving 823 students in grades 9-12, Charles E. Shea High 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 6-9% (which is lower than the Rhode Island state average of 27%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 15-19% (which is lower than the Rhode Island state average of 33%).
The student:teacher ratio of 13:1 is equal to the Rhode Island state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 82% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Rhode Island state average of 49% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 823 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 13:1
- Minority Enrollment: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 70% (Btm 50% in RI)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 6-9% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 15-19% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 6-9% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), RI Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Charles E. Shea High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Rhode Island for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
School Overview
Charles E. Shea High School's student population of 823 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 62 teachers has grown by 12% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
823 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
62 teachers
School Rankings
Charles E. Shea High 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 Charles E. Shea High School is 0.69, which is more 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
#242 out of 289 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
6-9%
27%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
15-19%
33%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
6-9%
31%
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
1%
4%
Hispanic
33%
30%
Black
42%
9%
White
18%
51%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
6%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
70%
83%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
60%
38%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
6%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), RI Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Raider
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Charles E. Shea High School's ranking?
Charles E. Shea High School is ranked #242 out of 289 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Rhode Island.
What schools are Charles E. Shea High School often compared to?
Charles E. Shea High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like William E. Tolman High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
6-9% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 27% RI state average), while 15-19% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 33% RI state average).
What is the graduation rate of Charles E. Shea High School?
The graduation rate of Charles E. Shea High School is 70%, which is lower than the Rhode Island state average of 83%.
How many students attend Charles E. Shea High School?
823 students attend Charles E. Shea High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
42% of Charles E. Shea High School students are Black, 33% of students are Hispanic, 18% of students are White, 6% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Charles E. Shea High School?
Charles E. Shea High School has a student ration of 13:1, which is equal to the Rhode Island state average of 13:1.
What grades does Charles E. Shea High School offer ?
Charles E. Shea High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Charles E. Shea High School part of?
Charles E. Shea High School is part of Pawtucket School District.
School Reviews
Review Charles E. Shea High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.
