For the 2026 school year, there are 9 blue ribbon public preschools serving 2,873 students in Rhode Island.
Blue ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this national school awards program and how blue ribbon schools work.
The top-ranked blue ribbon public preschools in Rhode Island are Jamestown School-melrose, Narragansett Elementary School and Fishing Cove El. School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Rhode Island blue ribbon public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the Rhode Island public pre school average of 31%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 30% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 45% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Rhode Island public preschool average of 53% (majority Hispanic).
Best Blue Ribbon Public Preschools in Rhode Island (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Jamestown School-melrose
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
76 Melrose Avenue
Jamestown, RI 02835
(401) 423-7020
Jamestown, RI 02835
(401) 423-7020
Gr: PK-4 | 207 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #22.
Narragansett Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
55 Mumford Road
Narragansett, RI 02882
(401) 792-9420
Narragansett, RI 02882
(401) 792-9420
Gr: PK-4 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #33.
Fishing Cove El. School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
110 Wickford Point Road
North Kingstown, RI 02852
(401) 268-6580
North Kingstown, RI 02852
(401) 268-6580
Gr: PK-5 | 346 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #44.
Raymond Laperche School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
11 Limerock Road
Smithfield, RI 02917
(401) 231-6652
Smithfield, RI 02917
(401) 231-6652
Gr: PK-5 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #55.
Francis J. Varieur School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
486 Pleasant Street
Pawtucket, RI 02860
(401) 729-6266
Pawtucket, RI 02860
(401) 729-6266
Gr: PK-5 | 270 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #66.
Peace Dale School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
109 Kersey Road
Wakefield, RI 02879
(401) 360-1600
Wakefield, RI 02879
(401) 360-1600
Gr: PK-5 | 412 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #77.
Flora S. Curtis School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
582 Benefit Street
Pawtucket, RI 02861
(401) 729-6252
Pawtucket, RI 02861
(401) 729-6252
Gr: PK-5 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #88.
Martin Luther King El. School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
35 Camp Street
Providence, RI 02906
(401) 456-9398
Providence, RI 02906
(401) 456-9398
Gr: PK-5 | 430 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #99.
Arlington School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
155 Princess Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920
(401) 270-8179
Cranston, RI 02920
(401) 270-8179
Gr: PK-5 | 209 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked blue ribbon public preschools in Rhode Island?
The top-ranked blue ribbon public preschools in Rhode Island include Jamestown School-melrose, Narragansett Elementary School and Fishing Cove El. School.
How many blue ribbon public preschools are located in Rhode Island?
9 blue ribbon public preschools are located in Rhode Island.
What is the racial composition of students in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island blue ribbon public preschools minority enrollment is 45% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Rhode Island public preschools average of 53% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
What Rising E-Bike and Traffic Concerns Mean for School Commutes
Discover how rising e-bike use and increasing traffic are changing school commutes, and what parents should evaluate before choosing a public school.
School Safety Beyond Lockdowns: What Parents Should Review
Learn how to evaluate a public school's safety beyond lockdown drills, including school climate, emergency planning, mental health support, and communication.
How to Judge Special Education Capacity Before You Enroll
Learn how to evaluate a public school's special education capacity before enrolling your child, from staffing and IEP implementation to inclusion and support services.