Best Schools in Portsmouth, Rhode Island
7 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in Portsmouth?
Use this page to compare every school in Portsmouth by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Howard Hathaway School
Elementary · Portsmouth. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Portsmouth Middle School
Middle · Portsmouth. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Melville School
Elementary · Portsmouth. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Portsmouth for 2026 are Howard Hathaway School (9.1/10), Portsmouth Middle School (8.9/10), and Melville School (8.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
7
4 public · 3 private
Avg Score
7.4
out of 10
Median Home
$539,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
7
4 public · 3 private
Avg Score
7.4
out of 10
Median Home
$539,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +15.8 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Portsmouth schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Portsmouth
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 rated schools; 7 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Howard Hathaway School | 9.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Portsmouth Middle School | 8.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Melville School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Portsmouth High School | 8.1 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.4/10
- Median household income
- $119,135
- Median home value
- $539,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 60%
- Avg commute
- 24 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 81%
71% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Portsmouth compares
Rhode Island rank
#4 of 33
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.1
above Rhode Island avg (6.4)
Median household income
$119k
121% of Rhode Island median
Schools in this city
7
Portsmouth runs Portsmouth's public schools
4 public schools. Portsmouth is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Portsmouth is a Portsmouth school (4 of 4).
Among 4 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 8.1 to 9.1 — the spread is inside Portsmouth, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Portsmouth, Rhode Island is home to 7 schools, including 4 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 7.4 out of 10, schools in Portsmouth perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Portsmouth is Howard Hathaway School with a composite score of 9.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Portsmouth is served by 1 school district: Portsmouth. These districts collectively serve 2,161 students.
Portsmouth's community shows 60% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $119,135. The poverty rate in the area is 4.4%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 401 students · Kindergarten–4th | 9.1 | ||
| 2 | 330 students · Pre-K–4th | 8.1 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 376 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | The Pennfield SchoolPrivate 127 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 622 students · 5th–8th | 8.9 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 790 students · 9th–12th | 8.1 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Portsmouth Abbey SchoolPrivate 337 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Portsmouth
Portsmouth, Rhode Island · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$119,135
Median Home Value
$539,700
Median Rent
$1,577/mo
Population
17,635
College Educated
60%
Homeownership
81%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Community Profile
Portsmouth has a median household income of $119,135. It is a well-educated community where 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $539,700, with a median rent of $1,577/month. The local poverty rate of 4.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Rhode Island
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
Resources
School District
Other Major Cities in Rhode Island
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Portsmouth, Rhode Island
How many schools are in Portsmouth, Rhode Island?
Portsmouth has 7 schools, including 4 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Portsmouth, Rhode Island?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Portsmouth is 7.4 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Portsmouth, Rhode Island?
The top-ranked school in Portsmouth on MySchoolScout is Howard Hathaway School with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Portsmouth, Rhode Island?
The top-ranked elementary school in Portsmouth on MySchoolScout is Howard Hathaway School with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Portsmouth, Rhode Island?
The top-ranked middle school in Portsmouth on MySchoolScout is Portsmouth Middle School with a composite score of 8.9/10.
What is the best high school in Portsmouth, Rhode Island?
The top-ranked high school in Portsmouth on MySchoolScout is Portsmouth High School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
How many school districts serve Portsmouth, Rhode Island?
Portsmouth is served by 1 school district: Portsmouth.
What is the education level in Portsmouth, Rhode Island?
According to Census data, 60% of adults in Portsmouth have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Portsmouth, Rhode Island?
The median household income in Portsmouth is approximately $119,135 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Portsmouth, Rhode Island?
Yes, Portsmouth has 3 private schools alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is Portsmouth Abbey School with a score of 8.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Portsmouth, Rhode Island?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Portsmouth is 15.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Portsmouth, Rhode Island?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Rhode Island Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.