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Below Average

#264 of 302 schools in RI

Asa Messer El. School

Elementary School · Providence

1655 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02909

Enrollment

538

Student-Teacher

17.4:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Providence

#51 of 58

public schools

Rhode Island elementary schools

#139 of 172

In district

#35 of 37

Providence

About Asa Messer El. School

Asa Messer Elementary School is a regular public school located in the heart of Providence, Rhode Island. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, Asa Messer offers a broad educational experience in a mid-size city setting. With an enrollment of 538 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.4:1, the school provides personalized attention to support young learners.

Thirty-one full-time equivalent teachers work diligently to ensure each child receives quality instruction. Asa Messer's academic performance indicates there is room for growth, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and a state ranking of #296 out of 303 schools in Rhode Island. The school’s proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Math are below average, at 16% proficient or above for ELA and 13% proficient or above for math.

Despite these challenges, the community focuses on student development and strives to enhance learning outcomes. Asa Messer Elementary School is nestled within a vibrant city environment where students can engage with diverse cultural experiences and resources.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.2Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.84 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency7.5%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)9%
vs. Expected+0.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.2Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,864

Asa Messer El. School — Students at Asa Messer El. School score 10% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 9%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

80.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores RI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 13.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 15.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from RI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
15%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
7.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.2/10.

How Asa Messer El. School Compares

See how Asa Messer El. School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.6/10
13th percentile in RI
Academic
4.5/10
4.5/10
Growth
5.2/10
Above average
Environment
3.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
81%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

Location

1655 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02909

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Asa Messer El. School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Paul Cuffee Lower School (rated 7.1/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Alfred Lima Sr. El School (rated 6.0/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Providence, see our Providence schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Paul Cuffee Middle School Providence 0.1 mi 5.4
West Broadway Middle School Providence 0.1 mi 6.4
Providence Preparatory Charter Providence 0.5 mi 4.8
William D'Abate Elem. School Providence 0.6 mi 5.1
Webster Avenue School Providence 0.8 mi 4.7
BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL Providence 0.9 mi 6.7
Alfred Lima Sr. El School Providence 1.0 mi 6.0
Providence Career Technical Providence 0.8 mi 5.8
Gilbert Stuart Middle School Providence 0.9 mi 5.0
Achievement First Promesa Providence 1.0 mi 3.7
Leviton Dual Language School Providence 1.0 mi 3.2
Paul Cuffee Lower School Providence 1.0 mi 7.1
Central High School Providence 0.8 mi 6.9
Classical High School Providence 0.9 mi 6.5
Urban Collaborative Program Providence 0.9 mi 7.6
BRADLEY SCHOOL PROVIDENCE Providence 0.9 mi 8.2
Achievement First Iluminar Cranston 1.2 mi 2.9
AF Iluminar Mayoral Middle Sch Cranston 1.2 mi 4.7
Achievement First Providence H Providence 1.0 mi 5.5
Frank D. Spaziano Elem School Providence 1.0 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 02909 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,950

Median Home Value

$283,800

Median Rent

$1,258/mo

Population

44,445

College Educated

23.5%

Homeownership

39.2%

Avg Commute

28.5 min

Poverty Rate

22.5%

Median Age

31.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Asa Messer El. School has a median household income of $63,950. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $283,800, with a median rent of $1,258/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Achievement First Envision Ele Providence, RI 4.5
Henry J. Winters School Pawtucket, RI 4.4
Nathanael Greene School Pawtucket, RI 4.4
Oakland Beach School Warwick, RI 4.4
International Charter School Pawtucket, RI 4.8
The Learning Community Central Falls, RI 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Asa Messer El. School

What grades does Asa Messer El. School serve?

Asa Messer El. School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Asa Messer El. School?

Asa Messer El. School has an enrollment of approximately 538 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Asa Messer El. School?

The student-teacher ratio at Asa Messer El. School is 17.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Asa Messer El. School rank in RI?

Asa Messer El. School is ranked #264 out of 302 schools in RI.

What is Asa Messer El. School's MySchoolScout rating?

Asa Messer El. School has a composite rating of 4.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Asa Messer El. School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Asa Messer El. School has 13.0% math proficiency and 15.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Asa Messer El. School a charter school?

No, Asa Messer El. School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Asa Messer El. School a Title I school?

No, Asa Messer El. School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Asa Messer El. School?

80.5% of students at Asa Messer El. School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (1,935/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Providence). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
538
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
80.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Providence County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Providence
District Enrollment
19,856
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$25,050
District Rank
#35 of 37

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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